Why I go to Church

Recently I was asked why I go to Church - to commune with God or for the social aspect. While both those things are important to me, neither of them adequately captures why I go to Church each week. I told my friend that I go to Church each week to renew covenants that I have made with my Heavenly Father.

The Book of Mormon talks about what we commit to do if we are baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We should be willing to be called the people of God, willing to bear one another's burdens, willing to mourn with those that mourn, willing to comfort those in need of comfort, and willing to stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places (see Mosiah 18: 8-9). When I think about that, I realize that really, both elements my friend asked me about are embedded in the reason I go to Church. I must have a relationship with God in order to be able to successfully be His witness, and to effectively meet the needs of those around me. In order to meet the needs of others, I must have a relationship with them. So, I guess I go to Church to commune with God and for the social aspects, in order to renew the covenants I have made.

Stories

Each of us has a story. For the most part we know little, if anything about the stories of those around us. This can be very problematic. Unfortunately, it is usually not till after I learn more about someones story that I remember this fact. Initially I'm usually obliviously making assumptions that I feel awful about in retrospect.

For several years now, it has been my goal to try to remember my lack of knowledge sooner, and to seek to learn more about the stories of those around me. In the past few days I have been forcefully reminded that I need to make this a priority again. When I learn things that put behaviors of others into perspective, more often than not I am humbled and wish that I had known sooner. Sometimes all it takes is a willingness to ask, and to listen - truly listen.

To counter my lack of knowledge about other peoples stories there are a few things I try to keep in mind. First, that we are all human beings deserving of love and respect. Second, that everyone has bad days. Third, that most people have good intentions most of the time. If I live my life believing these things, I find that I am much happier and have a much more positive outlook on life in general and towards individuals that I come in contact with. This is a semi-public re-commitment to doing just that. I'm grateful for all who come across my path allowing me to learn and grow, and hopefully do a little better each time than the time before.

The Hair Cut Analogy

Choices are kind of like taking care of your hair. Imagine you have long hair - down past your shoulders. You have many options. You can braid your hair, you can curl your hair, you can put your hair in a ponytail, you can dye your hair, you can cut your hair. Some choices have more lasting effects than others. If you braid your hair today, you can take the braid out and your hair is basically the same. If you dye your hair or cut your hair today the consequences are longer lasting, but not permanent.

I like this conception because it reflects several facets of how I look at choices and the consequences of those choices. First, I believe that we all have the right to choose. Second, I believe that there are often many choices with basically equal utility. Third, I believe that choices are rarely irreversible. Fourth, I think choices and consequences are intrinsically linked.

There is a chapter in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ that captures this concept of consequences to our choices very well. In Alma 42 the prophet Alma is talking to his son Shiblon. Shiblon had concerns about the "justice" of people being punished for their sins. Alma explains that if there is not a punishment attached to an action, it can't be a sin. "But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted" (Alma 42:22). Thus, each of us can make choices, and we can fix poor choices through the wonderful gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Justice and mercy are balancing concepts. Mercy requires that our choices be considered in context of what we know and our preceding and following choices.

I think the choices we make are extremely important. I believe there are morally right choices, and I believe we have the chance to receive guidance about what choices we should make. I believe that through studying the Gospel of Jesus Christ and seeking answers both through scriptures, modern revelation, and personal answers to prayers we will be lead and guided along a path that will bring us happiness both now and in the future. Happiness must be understood as something that is long lasting - not fleeting and dependent on doing what will bring pleasure now, but sorrow, remorse, guilt, shame or the like later.

I am grateful for the moral compass that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is in my life. I am grateful for the chance I have to work towards being a better person every day.

Finding the Godly in Others

Awhile back I had an awesome conversation with one of my good friends in my graduate program. We met to eat lunch together and he wanted to talk religion (something I LOVE to do!). We got to talking about our personal believes about the nature of God. He talked about the concepts of an organic Godly presence that emanates from the ground, or from within us each as individuals and compared this to the idea of a transcendent God - one who is omniscient, omnipresent, and lords over us humans here on earth. He has a hard time believing in a transcendent God, and says he feels we all have part of the essence of God within us. Then he said something that struck me as very profound. He says that he likes to look for the Godly in others. Wouldn't that be cool if we all did that? What if instead of looking for faults we tried to find what was wonderful in each other? What if instead of assuming the worst we believed that, in general, people have good intentions? I think that would be amazing.

Moments like that remind me of a concept that President Gordon B. Hinckley (President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1995-2008) taught multiple times: "We, in effect, simply say to others, 'Bring all the good that you have and let us see if we can add to it.'" click here for full talk I love this reminder that we all have good to share with each other.

Personally, I believe that God is our Father. We are all His children. He loves each of us, individually and personally. I believe He does know all. I do not believe in a wrathful, vengeful God that seeks to punish human beings. Rather, I believe God's love for us is manifest in His gift of direction in the form of commandments - which have inescapable consequences, of which we have been warned (there will be more on this very soon, I've been thinking about choices and consequences A LOT lately). I also believe there is something Godly to be found in everyone.

Two Great Commandments

Awhile ago I was walking to my chapel to attend an Institute of Religion class. As I was hurrying down the street, I passed a man asking if anyone could spare some change. Being a poor college student, I usually feel this is something I can't do, but I always offer the snack I inevitably have with me. As is often the case, this man turned my granola bar down. While I was putting the granola bar back in my bag, he asked me "Is that a Bible you are carrying?" and I said "It is". He asked me if I would teach him something from the Bible. I said the first thing that came to my mind - that I believe we are supposed to love God and love our fellow man. In Matt 22:37-39 Jesus Christ taught this principle. I love this concept, and I think that everything in life boils down to whether or not we are love God and our fellow man. When I shared this, my new friend smiled and nodded. He said he knew that was true, and thanked me for sharing that message with him. I wished him a good day, and continued on my way to my class with a greater desire to reach out and lift and strengthen those around me in whatever small ways I can.

You Can't Do It Alone

I was reading a book for work recently that talked about the commercialization of childhood. In the book, the author made a comment that while parents have a responsibility to teach their children, they really can't fight the battle against the commercial forces aimed at their children alone.

This is true, and it got me thinking about what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers that can help combat the negative influence of media and commercialism in general. A few things came to mind. First, we have been instructed to be selective about the kind of media we expose ourselves to. For me, this has translated to less media exposure over all, which in and of itself limits the amount of advertising and commercialism I am exposed to. Also, the Church offers a wonderful support network. Members look out for each other. It is not just parents expressing particular values and views, but a network of reinforcing teachings from respected and valued leaders and friends.

On top of the wonderful support of other Latter-day Saints, we have the benefit of a personal relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. They are ready and willing to help us by sending guidance and comfort through the Holy Ghost if we are but willing to ask.

If we start looking at all that is working against us, we are tempted to call it a losing fight. I'm reminded of the words wisdom and comfort spoken by Elisha, a prophet from the Old Testament. He declares: "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." (see 2 Kings 6:15-17 King James Version of the Bible). I believe we have Heavenly help far more often than we realize. So, when it seems that there are too many things fighting against us, we can take comfort that we are not fighting alone as we push back against seemingly insurmountable odds.

It's true, you can't do it alone, you're not supposed to, and you don't have to.

Happily Ever After?

I realized that there was an important part about my Disney discussion that I forgot to even mention.

One complaint that is often raised against Disney is that they promote unrealistic ideals - Happily Ever After? This morning as I was cleaning my apartment I was listening to the Soundtrack from Enchanted and one of the songs talks about how all of us want to believe that happily ever after is possible. Well, I personally believe it is possible. I don't believe that some day the man of my dreams will suddenly appear in my life, we'll immediately know we are in love, get married and live happily ever after. I do believe that there is great plan of happiness in place and that "men are that they might have joy" (see 2 Nephi 2:25) Of course each of us want to maximize our chances for happiness in this life, and that includes working towards having a happy marriage and family life.

I believe that men and women have distinct, and complimentary roles in this life. I feel we spend too much time trying to be the same. Why don't we just embrace and express gratitude for our differences and work together towards Happily Ever After?