Family Scripture Reading

Family scripture reading has always been a "fun" time.  I'm not sure where the gospel art pictures of happy families, intently studying holy writ come from.  In our home the words, "time for scriptures," are immediately followed by wrestling matches, Power Ranger demonstrations, special musical numbers, and noisy chaos in general.  There have been many times my wife and I have looked at each other and wondered what exactly it was we were trying to accomplish.  Nevertheless, the kids seem to learn, despite their apparent inattentiveness.  Out of the blue they'll make a comment relative to the reading.  It may be days later, but I'm often surprised at the connections they make on their own.

That being said, there are some adjustments we have made to improve the quality of our study together.  This year we decided to read with the older boys in the morning before school.  It has quieted things down a lot.  The fact that the real little ones are still asleep reduces many of the previously mentioned distractions.  We're still working on an age appropriate strategy for the younger kids.

Our most recent adjustment has been to slow the pace and discuss what we have read.  The kids initially resisted.  They like marking progress and seeing the chapters go by.  However, I felt something was missing. We weren't teaching them how to intellectually engage the subjects we were reading about.  Now we focus on developing an understanding of the context and meaning of each verse.  Though we may only get through a few verses a day, we have already had much more meaningful conversations regarding gospel principles with our kids.  Overall it has been a rewarding experience.

My Foundational Beliefs

    Agency, an individual’s ability to choose for him or herself, is the first law of Heaven and the right of every person who has lived, is living, or will live upon this earth.  This is the conclusion I've come to as I have studied and pondered the purpose of life.  To deny a person his or her right to choose is a serious offense.  This is a guiding principle by which I attempt to live.

     I also believe there is objective truth by which the universe is governed.  God is the Supreme Being because He adheres perfectly to all truth.  This is where His authority comes from.  If He were to violate truth, He would cease to be God.

     We are literally God’s spiritual children, He is our Heavenly Father.  He created and taught us before our physical creation.  His desire is to help us progress and become like Him.  Part of this process requires us to learn truth through our own experiences.  For this purpose, the earth was created.

     Birth is the means whereby we are introduced into this world.  To bring order to the process, God instituted marriage.  Within this framework parents commit themselves to each other and to the raising and teaching of any children resulting from the marriage.

     Once we arrive on earth, the process of exercising our agency and learning truth continues.  I say continues, rather than begins, because God does not send us to mortality without our consent.  In our pre-mortal existence we comprehended the opportunities for learning and growth to be had here.  As we go about our lives, we practice using our agency according to our understanding.  The true purpose of our time here is to experience opposites and make decisions as best we can.

     God gives us commandments to steer us toward truth.  Living according to commandments allows us to discover truth.  However, simply living according to a commandment does not necessarily bring us closer to God.  We must also apply ourselves to understanding why we do so.  That is when truth is revealed.

     As we all know, life is not simple and requires that we interact with others.  God has given us commandments regarding these interactions.  The essence of these commandments is love.  The two greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor.  When we seek to force others to behave in certain ways, we have violated both these commandments.

Islam and Mormonism

I've had the opportunity over the last couple of years to learn more about the religion of Islam. As I have gained a greater understanding of the tenets of this faith I have been impressed by its simplicity. It pretty much boils down to God is God, all powerful, the creator of all things, and he does whatever he pleases. Though there is much more to Islamic beliefs than this very basic statement, to me it sums up the foundation of their beliefs. As I have studied and learned from professors and friends alike I find much to admire about Islam, such as its rationality. (note: I do not consider the actions of radicals and extremist terrorists to be rational or inline with the teachings of Islam as I have learned it.)

In many things Islam and Mormonism share similar beliefs, such as the need for daily prayer, charity, fasting, and the importance of prophets. However, our understanding of our relationship with God is quite different. Islam teaches man is a creation of God created to worship Him. Mormonism teaches that man is the literal spiritual offspring of God, sent to earth to learn and become more like Him. As I read the Quran I wonder what the point to leaving sinners upon this earth is? It is clearly stated therein that God will lead whomever he wills to belief or to unbelief. Though Muslims may try to warn the unbeliever of the coming punishment they are told not to plead for them because if God has destined someone for punishment they will not repent. I suppose He does show mercy by letting them enjoy as much of this life as they can prior to being thrust into hellfire, but why even create something knowing it will be disobedient in the first place?

To me, it makes more sense for a Father to have patience for and work with man if they are His children. Though He knows them and what they will most likely end up doing, He doesn't predestine them for punishment. He works with them until they condemned themselves through their choice to be disobedient. To me this seems much more just.

Granted, I could be wrong in my interpretation. I've only studied Islam casually for a couple of years, whereas Mormonism has consumed my life from the beginning.

Learning and Understanding

A few years ago, while back home visiting, I was riding in the car and got to pondering my testimony. Why was it that I believed as I did? It was an interesting thought and one that has lead me to a serious examination of my faith. Growing up in the church I had always believed. I couldn't, and still can't, trace my testimony to any one faith building event or experience wherein I knew, in that moment, the church was true.

As I think back and try to identify the beginnings of my faith I remember being a child in Boise. Though details aren't clear, I do remember being certain at that time the church was true. Perhaps my testimony is the result of a child's faith confirmed by numerous experiences throughout my life.

The examination of my testimony has turned out to be a blessing in itself. Questions I have asked in prayer and researched in scripture and other books have been answered. Over the course of praying and asking questions, my testimony of prayer has grown. Though I felt it before, I can now say I know God answers our prayers and questions. Not all answers come quickly or when I'm specifically looking for them. However, something will happen and I'll recognize an answer. Often it seems to come as I read my scriptures, further strengthening my faith in those sacred records.

Of the things I've learned, the realization of our Father's love for all His children is one of the most precious to me. A serious study and reflection on other's religious beliefs leads one to realize a certainty of one's faith is not limited to one denomination or religious tradition. The question I've had is why it would be so if there is only one truth. The answer, as I have found it, lies in God's love. When truth is taught, the Spirit will confirm it to the sincere seeker, regardless of where it is found. There is no monopoly on truth. The Father does not undermine and destroy sincere faith. If there are errors in one's interpretation of faith, as a patient parent, God will direct His children to correct principles through their experiences. It's up to us individually to recognize when we are being taught truth and then follow it. As we do, our faith grows and our understanding increases.

Growing faith creates a desire to share it. This is one way in which truth is shared with all God's children. However, we are imperfect in our knowledge and ability to express what we feel we know. Thus, submitting to the Spirit is critical to effectively sharing the gospel with others. It is only through the Spirit we are able to share truth in a manner in which it can be confirmed to those we are speaking with. When contention enters a conversation, the Spirit leaves and all that's left is a debate between intellectual understandings. Only the Spirit, combined with intellect, can create a true conversion. Otherwise all one has is an argument that makes sense until a better one comes along.

I have found truth in places I didn't expect to. We all have the capability to learn from each other. As we do so under the influence of the Spirit, God's purposes are revealed and we are edified together. Though there is one truth, we should never seek to prove our faith by disproving others. In so doing we may damage the faith one of God's children has placed in a truth truly learned through the Spirit. If what we believe to be true is from God, the Spirit will confirm it as seekers of truth ponder our message.

Faith

One thing I have enjoyed in the military has been the chance to interact with good people who believe in Christ.  The environment is such, that those who believe and strive to live according to their beliefs stand out.  I have enjoyed conversations regarding Christ, and religion in general, with members of many different denominations.

During my last deployment to Afghanistan, I lived in the same B-Hut (wooden barracks) with our battalion chaplain and another officer studying to become an Eastern Orthodox priest.  Needless to say, religion was often the subject of our conversations.  Though our doctrinal views varied, we found fellowship in our common beliefs.  Particularly pleasant to me were the brief prayer meetings the chaplain and I held every evening in the small base chapel.

Sharing spiritual thoughts and experiences with those of other denominations often reveals the sincerity of their beliefs.  It is readily apparent that the spirit has touched their lives in significant ways.  Too often, those of other denominational traditions (LDS included) are quick to dismiss the spiritual experiences of those whose doctrines disagree with theirs as coming from false and even evil sources.

Coming to know the goodness and sincerity of brothers and sisters from other denominations has led me to ponder the workings of the spirit.  How is it that so many people have a real testimony of Christ yet differ so dramatically when it comes to the definition and administration of His kingdom?

I believe the fourth Article of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gives some explination.  Joseph Smith wrote:

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.

Looking at this verse I realized that the first principle is non-denominational. Faith in Christ does not require adherence to a denominationally specific doctrine.  Thus, a testimony and knowledge of Christ as one's redeemer is available to all.  This witness is received by the Holy Spirit and not through the workings of men.  After one has received a personal witness and testimony of Christ, he or she strives to follow Christ to the best of their ability.  Interpretations of how Christ has directed his disciples to follow Him have led to many different denominational doctrines.

I believe the same spirit that brings one to a testimony of Christ also directs the individual as to how Christ desires one to follow Him.  However, we do each other a disservice when we deny another's true testimony of Christ based upon denominational differences and may miss out on potentially deep and meaningful friendships.

Getting Started

When I read Elder Ballard's article in the July Ensign, I began looking for ways to participate in the online discussion.  It's been a humble effort, but it has produced this blog.  I've had the template laid out for some time while I've been determining how I want to go about keeping it.  In all honesty, I'm still not certain the direction it will ultimately take.  I have determined, however, if I don't start typing it won't take any direction.  With that being said, let me introduce you to my new blog and explain how I see it progressing from here.

 

The title, Moroni 10, comes from one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon.  Not only does it contain Moroni's promise (Vrs 3-5) but it speaks powerfully of Christ and coming unto Him.  Ultimately, that's the goal of this blog, bring people to a closer relationship with Christ.  I have no intention, however, of trying to "prove" anything to anyone.  There are plenty of sites and blogs out there attempting to prove or disprove the merits of one theology over another.  I may provide examples of why I believe a certain way, but that's all it is, an example, not evidence.  However, I will provide some links for those who enjoy apologetics.

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and practice my faith according to its tenets and doctrine.  Thus the second part of the blog title, "thoughts and experiences of an LDS guy."  Through sharing some of my own observations and experiences, I hope to provide an example of how LDS beliefs affect my life.