Faith
This page will be devoted to my thoughts, feelings and beliefs pertaining to God, religion and the power of applied faith. It is a work in progress, as we all are.
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GOD | HEAVENLY FATHER
- or -
Whatever name you choose to use for a Higher Power or Supreme Intelligence
It is evident that there are a vast array of beliefs pertaining to the nature of God and the extent to which He is involved with our lives and with the universe as a whole. The content I write here is not purposed to persuade as much as it is to inform and to share. I claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of my own conscience and I allow all men and women the same privilege; let them worship how, where or what they may.
I believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. As three distinct and separate personages I believe that They comprise the power of God in heaven and on earth and that in Them is to be found all truth, knowledge and authoritative power. I believe that God possesses an unconditional love for all mankind and that as we draw near to God He will, in turn, draw near unto us. Like many loving and caring parents, God desires to give all that He has to His children. As His children listen, learn and obey, all the blessings that God has to offer will surely be theirs. I believe that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. I take great comfort and confidence in knowing that.
I believe in the unseen power of prayer to connect us, as imperfect mortal beings, to our perfect and immortal Father in Heaven. He hears and answers the sincere and heartfelt prayers of His children, just as surely as the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. However, as I’ve learned through life’s many lessons, His answers for me are often different than the answers I sought for myself. I trust in God’s will and I recognize that His ways are higher than my ways and His thoughts are greater than my thoughts. I know that all things will work together for my good as I put my trust in Him and do not question the direction of His guiding hand in my life.
As trials, challenges and difficulties are a natural part of this mortal existence, I believe it is important for us to focus on asking the humble question “What is it that I need to learn from this experience?” rather than the reactive response of “Why is this happening to me?”. I’ve found that there are always deep, powerful and life-changing lessons to be learned from life’s difficulties. I’ve been on both sides of either question, sometimes seeking learning with a humble heart, while at other times questioning why God was allowing certain things to happen to me and my family. The discovery is that the choice is always ours: we can choose to draw nearer to God or we can choose to turn away from Him and become bitter and withdrawn.
My older brother died less than three weeks before I was to be married. He left behind a beautiful wife and four young children, with the youngest being just two months old. My wife was diagnosed with cancer, went through chemotherapy and radiation and nearly lost her life. My young children and I felt helpless, not knowing what we could do to help alleviate her ongoing suffering. I’ve invested tens of thousands of dollars into various business ventures only to end up on the verge of bankruptcy.
I could ask, “Why? Why? Why?” or I can ask and plead, “Father, what can I learn from this? Please help me to be strong, to remain faithful and to get through this.”
As I’ve passed through the above-mentioned trials and more, it has not been easy to remain faithful, but as I look back upon my life I can see the hand of God helping me through these things; helping to shape me into the man that He would like me to become. I know that this process has only begun and that I have so much more learning, growing and refinement ahead of me. As life continues to surprise us with new challenges and tests I hope that we will all remember that within each of us lies the power to choose how we will respond.
I know that God loves us. I know that we are ALL His children. I know that He blesses us each day in thousands of ways, by the air we breath, the freedoms we enjoy and the people in our midst that often serve as proxy for Him, carrying out acts of love and service in our behalf. There is a plan of happiness, greater than any of us can comprehend, but that nonetheless exists for our eternal benefit. Of these things I am certain.
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RELIGION
I was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1985, shortly after turning eight years of age. This church is often referred to as “The LDS Church” and the Church’s members are commonly called “Mormons” by the media due to our belief in The Book of Mormon, which is considered by LDS Church members to be “Another Testament of Jesus Christ” and a companion scripture to The Holy Bible.
It is truly incredible to me how much mis-conception exists as it pertains to the LDS Church, especially given the vast amount of information available online by the Church and its members. A large majority of people simply do not have a clear understanding about what principles the LDS Church upholds and what its members believe and practice. As one of the fastest-growing religions in the world I believe it is important for everyone to be informed.
Few people are familiar with the Church’s worldwide humanitarian efforts involving tens of millions of dollars (if not much more) in contributed food, water, clothing, housing and medical supplies to alleviate hunger and suffering as well as to specifically respond to the wide array of natural disasters that occur each year.
For the purpose of providing readers with a clearer understanding of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I am including a few website links below so that you can enhance your level of awareness and be well-informed on this subject.
Mormon.org – Information about the LDS Church for non-members and members alike. Find answers to these questions and more: Does God really know me? | What is the purpose of my life? | What happens when I die?
LDS.org – The Church’s resource site for existing members. Articles, talks, press releases, music, PDFs, videos and audio archives.
FamilySearch.org – Free family history, family tree, and geneology records and resources from around the world. An online service provided by the LDS Church.
Wikipedia.org – An overview of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the collective writings of Wikipedia contributors.
Maps.LDS.org – Find places of worship nearest to you.
What, exactly, do members of the LDS Church believe? Well, many things, but let us begin with what are called The 13 Articles of Faith.[1]
- We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
- We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
- We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
- We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
- We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
- We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
- We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
- We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
- We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
- We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
- We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
- We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
- We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
As you can see, we have a distinct faith accompanied by a strong vision for the future. Everything that we believe is founded in scriptural truths and is directed by divine inspiration. Prophets speak today, just as they did thousands of years ago. God continues to reveal His will and purposes to His children upon the earth. He has not turned away from us, but His arm is stretched out still. Of this I am certain.
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APPLIED FAITH
This is a subject for future exploration. There are many things that I wish to write and share pertaining to faith and I look forward to working on this very soon.
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FOOTNOTES
1. GO BACK UP :: Articles of Faith :: Click HERE to view the original source.
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