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.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
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:
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)