I am a person of faith, and it is the most precious thing to me. It is something I have studied, asked questions about, and thrown my heart into all my life. And I continue to be an ardent student and follower of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Some have remarked that there is beautiful imagery and language usage in my writing. Truthfully, I owe it to powerful influences like the many books of scripture I read daily. These have enriched me intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. My faith is deeply personal. I'm a tad too reserved about it, and this is one way I can open up. You don't have to read on, if you don't want to. Whether curious, or you share my faith, or you are exploring your own faith journey and want to take encouragement from the experiences of others, this is a tiny fragment of mine.
My overall favorite book is The Book of Mormon. I've read it too many time to count and have large parts of it memorized. There's something enticing every time I pick it up, something hugely satisfying as I read. Like there is a hunger in me. And I pick up more and more with each reading. Unlike the haphazard translation treatment of The Bible, The Book of Mormon was translated from one source, by divine inspiration. It is easy to read, explains things so much better than The Bible, and doesn't disagree with it. I revere The Bible too, as long as it is translated correctly. So much of The Bible has been lost, or translated in different ways, that it reads incomplete and even confusing at times.
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. For a long time other people nicknamed us "Mormons" because of our belief in The Book of Mormon. Our focus always has been Jesus Christ, though. I can't put adequately into words how I feel about Jesus Christ. Inadequately, I can state I am forever grateful for His example, His teachings, and the sacrifice He made in bearing the weight of all the sins and pains of the world. This Atonement made it possible for us to repent when we make mistakes and to be forgiven by God. The world doesn't forgive and it doesn't let go. God does, and really, His judgement is what matters. Christ's subsequent Resurrection broke the chains of death and Hell, making it possible for everyone to be resurrected, our bodies and spirits coming back together. Not like stupid zombie renditions, but whole and perfected.
I believe that families can be eternal, if we want them to be. Through the power of God, known as the priesthood authority, husbands and wives can be sealed together and to their children, never to be divided. This power exceeds the laws and authority of governments and individuals. There is no death-do-you-part, no everlasting goodbye to someone we love, if we are sealed together for time and eternity. This is valuable to me, because both my parents have died, as well as grandparents, aunts, and cousins. I miss them; I love them. I am sealed to them, and that knowledge has taken the sting of their deaths from me. I don't wail with anguish and feel a hole in my heart over their loss. I am going to see them again, and they will still be my parents, my grandparents, my aunts, and my cousins. It is also a huge comfort to me because my husband - who I love so much - is terminally ill. If he dies, our marriage is not ended. We will still be bound together.
I am grateful for the peace I feel when I choose to follow Christ's example. I'm such an imperfect person, and I make mistakes all the time. But I can also pick myself up, try to make right any wrong I've done, and strive to be a better person each day. When someone is more focused on following Christ's example, they are kinder, more patient, more forgiving - more of the kind of person I like to surround myself with. It is the kind of person I want to be.
I've never been one for worldly ambition. I've always been more interested in spiritual ambition. I love igniting that spark inside me and I love finding it in other people. In a world growing increasingly colder, more hateful, more sensitive, easily offended, and quick to point out offenses, don't we all need more warmth, love, patience, forgiveness, and non-judgemental reactions? I believe that following Christ is the solution. Even if everyone doesn't believe in his divinity, if they follow his example in how to treat others, the world would be that warmer, kinder place. That special warm spark you sometimes see in someone else's eyes, usually accompanied by a genuine smile - that is known as the light of Christ. The best people have it; and anyone can reignite or expand that light in themselves.
This is just skimming the surface of my faith, my beliefs, and my experiences. My faith influences everything I do, from the choices I make, to how I write, and what I consume or do. This isn't an attempt to convert anyone, just an expression of my testimony, and opening up about who I am. Thanks for reading.
And if you want a taste of nourishing light and inspiration, check out my church's latest General Conference, where our leaders talk about a range of things dealing with our faith and how to face the increasing troubles in the world. Here's a sampler:
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