What I believe in

This one's short sweet and to the point.

I think there are a lot of people I associate with on a day to day basis who know that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but may not understand what that really entails. So… I want to share with you what I believe in, in the most straightforward way that I know how.

I believe in God the eternal father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. I believe that I am a son of God, and that he has sent me here to this earth with a purpose. That purpose is to build faith in Jesus Christ, live according to that faith, and along the way make and keep sacred “covenants” or promises with Him.

Some may view this as “working my way to heaven”. While I don’t believe that we are saved by our works, we are certainly judged by them. "Salvation is not bought with the currency of obedience, it is purchased with the atoning blood of Jesus Christ." 

I don’t know how He did it, and I couldn’t explain the logistics of it if my life depended on it. All I know is that He did it. And because He did it, I can not only be forgiven of all my mistakes, but strengthened beyond my imagination. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the single most important event in the history of humanity.

"this perfect Son who had never spoken ill nor done wrong nor touched an unclean thing, had to know how the rest of humankind—us…. all of us—would feel when we did commit such sins. For His Atonement to be infinite and eternal, He had to feel what it was like to die not only physically but spiritually, to sense what it was like to have the divine Spirit withdraw, leaving one feeling totally, abjectly, hopelessly alone." - Jeffrey R Holland

I have felt the power of His atoning sacrifice lift me in my lowest of lows, help me towards my highest of highs, and everything else in between. I believe in forgiveness. I believe in miracles. I believe in angels. I believe families are forever. I believe Christ loves us today, just as much as He loved the people He taught 2000 years ago. I believe He continues to teach and guide us. I believe He does this the same way He always has, through prophets and apostles. I believe the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, to contain the gospel and pure doctrine of Christ. Again, I believe we are sons and daughters of an omnipotent and omniscient God, and I believe we are heirs to all that He has and is. And that might be the most beautiful truth in all of this… after all, what parent wouldn’t want to give their child all that they have??

I know these things are true because I have prayed about them with real intent, and have received what I believe to be an answer.

And God forbid even if everything I just talked about is straight up rubbish and totally made up… I do know this: When I live life this way, I like who I am. And I will thank God forever for the opportunity to learn and grow and strive to become like Him.