But, tell me right now (how by actions and etc) you believe this church is true? How do you know? I'm a firm believer in the scripture "by their fruits you shall know them." (Matthew 7:20) Even if you can't say that you 100% KNOW that the Church and all it teaches is true, if you have doubts and second-thoughts, that's ok! Where do you start in gaining a deep-seeded testimony? It starts with the small things. I know that the lifestyle the church teaches is a happy one, that by keeping the commandments-even from a secular viewpoint- we are blessed to avoid much of the heartache, despair and emptiness that plagues the human race. I can see retroactively (and currently) how living the gospel and keeping the faith has blessed my family. As I have acted (done the "right" things and keep the commandments) all the points of the gospel have only been confirmed to me. I have also had the Spirit confirm to me in my mind and my heart (in unplanned moments) that it really is true. A shiver down my spine, inspired thought, or just a good feeling. And I can't deny it.The church is true. I Know it, I live it, I love it.
How do you know that people that don't have the Gospel in their lives are completely unhappy? I have family members who are inactive, but they are happy with their lives..I never said that people who don't have the Gospel in their lives are completely unhappy. I don't believe they are. It is possible to be happy without it, and many people are. But the gospel is perspective changing- it opens your mind and understanding of what real, enduring happiness is made of. You can be happy in life. But the gospel brings joy. And that is the difference. Happiness- as Charlie Brown so wisely puts it, can be many things, including: Two kinds of ice cream, learning to whistle, being alone every now and then, coming home again, anyone or anything at all that's loved by you. (Happiness lyrics) All of those things bring a very real, but temporary, happiness. My mother explained it in this way, "Happiness is eating chocolate. It's great in the moment. Joy is knowing that you have a large stash of chocolate, and that you can access it whenever you want to." Happiness can be fleeting, Joy is ever-lasting, and although you are not promised happiness in EVERY moment of your life (it is a testing period, after all) we are promised joy here and hereafter- remember, we're in it for the eternities. There was a recent conference talk (which I now embarrassingly cannot find) which talked about how there are many saints doing "everything right" and yet are facing almost unparalleled opposition and then other people who aren't following what we would call the "gospel path" seem to be living easy, happy, lives. This does not, in any way signify that the gospel doesn't bring a happy life- rather we hold on, using gospel principles to carry us through and build our faith in troubled time, rising ever-better off in a future day. The gospel bring purpose and perspective that gives us peace in trials and joy in the (sometimes difficult) journey.
How do you know that people that don't have the Gospel in their lives are completely unhappy? I have family members who are inactive, but they are happy with their lives..I never said that people who don't have the Gospel in their lives are completely unhappy. I don't believe they are. It is possible to be happy without it, and many people are. But the gospel is perspective changing- it opens your mind and understanding of what real, enduring happiness is made of. You can be happy in life. But the gospel brings joy. And that is the difference. Happiness- as Charlie Brown so wisely puts it, can be many things, including: Two kinds of ice cream, learning to whistle, being alone every now and then, coming home again, anyone or anything at all that's loved by you. (Happiness lyrics) All of those things bring a very real, but temporary, happiness. My mother explained it in this way, "Happiness is eating chocolate. It's great in the moment. Joy is knowing that you have a large stash of chocolate, and that you can access it whenever you want to." Happiness can be fleeting, Joy is ever-lasting, and although you are not promised happiness in EVERY moment of your life (it is a testing period, after all) we are promised joy here and hereafter- remember, we're in it for the eternities. There was a recent conference talk (which I now embarrassingly cannot find) which talked about how there are many saints doing "everything right" and yet are facing almost unparalleled opposition and then other people who aren't following what we would call the "gospel path" seem to be living easy, happy, lives. This does not, in any way signify that the gospel doesn't bring a happy life- rather we hold on, using gospel principles to carry us through and build our faith in troubled time, rising ever-better off in a future day. The gospel bring purpose and perspective that gives us peace in trials and joy in the (sometimes difficult) journey.
Why is there one true church? Is there even a thing? Just as in law, we seek "The whole truth, the FULL truth, and nothing but the truth," it is of even greater importance to have the whole/full/nothing but the truth in our spiritual lives. How could we exercise faith in the atonement without a complete knowledge of the Savior? How could we "press on" and hope for a better word if we didn't know what it contained? Most importantly, we could NOT make essential covenants and ordinances without the restored priesthood power and the temples. In confusion we "wander in darkness" seeking the Lord's light. Also, God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), but rather he brings about the gospel in each dispensation as a means to clear out confusion, clarify and complete his doctrine, and establish again (for OUR benefit) His true church upon the Earth.
Yes, it is very much "a thing." And THIS is it.
Why do people in the church make you feel bad about yourself if you go inactive or completely leave it?
I will always remember two things that my mother always said.1) "No one can MAKE you FEEL a certain way." It is we, who choose to take offense, feel anger, or be saddened. Even if the things which were said or done were done with the intent to cause that reaction, the power to react inevitably lies in YOUR hands. I cannot make a blanket statement about why something makes you feel some way; it's a personal discovery, though I might add that in most cases, offense is given unintentionally. 2) "The Church is true, the gospel is perfect, and the Saints are trying." I am sorry that you feel as if members are shaming you for the choices you have decided to make. Please try to see it from a different perspective; As church members, we consider ourselves part of an eternal family. (Brother and "Sister" are so much more than titles.) And through the time we spend together, through service and as we jointly journey on in the quest for Christ-like attributes, we come to truly love one another. It's like having a sister leave the family. You have to respect her choices but you're saddened to experience the distance that will inevitably follow. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we know the way to salvation because it has been revealed and taught to us in scriptures and through prophets. It's hard to see someone stray from that path. Out of love- not out of self-righteousness or judgement, we reach out with "love unfeigned." Doctrine and Covenants 121:41
In the end, salvation is personal. But we're here to help each other reach it.
I hope you can find again the happiness that lasts.
I hope these answers helped and that you will continue to seek and find your own answers through prayer. God loves you. He will answer you. Have an open heart and be patient.
I hope you can find again the happiness that lasts.
I hope these answers helped and that you will continue to seek and find your own answers through prayer. God loves you. He will answer you. Have an open heart and be patient.
Love and prayers,
-A friend.
