Don't tell me what I believe!

I was watching a news program the other night and there was a woman on it who has a blog that has become famous because she says things about motherhood not being that great and blasts the LDS church, BYU and other things. She lives in Salt Lake City, so wow, like all of that has never been done before. Her blog takes in about $40,000 worth of revenue per month from advertisers. One of those advertisers is the LDS church, telling people where they can order a Book Of Mormon, Bible or video. I think they figure after people read her blog, they many want to know what is really going on in our religion. (I wonder if I can attract any advertising to my blog?)

Anyway, after listening to her, I have a few thoughts about people who feel the need, after deciding not to be a member of the LDS church anymore, to blast out to the world what their beef is. When I read what they say and what their experiences are, they are so foreign to me and my experience and is hard for me to decipher where they are coming from. This woman, for example, said that she wrote some strongly worded sentiments against religion in general that had been fueled by a martini. I found it interesting that she had to throw in the whole alcoholic beverage thing, a not so subtle way to show that she had distanced herself from the LDS religion. Then she said that when her LDS family saw it, they were so upset that her father didn't speak to her for 3 months. Well, naturally, they were hurt. She had taken everything that they believed in, something deep and sacred and laid it out before the world to be trampled on. Why? Couldn't she just decide not to believe and go on? That would be painful enough for her family without her open assault.

I try to stay away from most anti-Mormon literature because it hurts my heart, just like this woman's family must have hurt. Many of the things that I have read are people saying that there is too much required of Mormons and they feel guilty if they can't live up to those standards, and they don't want to feel guilty, so by giving up the religion they feel better about themselves. Well, I feel guilty because I need to lose weight, but I don't stick to my diet and I don't have the will power to exercise. That doesn't mean it is wrong to lose weight, it means I need to decide what is important to me and make changes in me. I can't blame the diet, or the creator of the diet, or the exercise machine that I am not using. Getting fatter isn't going to make me feel any better either. So, you can tell yourself that living your religion is too hard and that you will feel better without it, and you can blame everyone else who does try to live it for your unhappiness, but in the long run, you have to decide what is important to you and how to achieve the end results. I know what I want my results to be.

Other comments I have seen claim that LDS people have a "holier than thou" attitude. Well, I have found those kinds of people in every aspect of life, within my church and out. I feel badly that people have been driven away from our church because of an other's attitude. But, that attitude is not what our religion teaches us to be like. Although, I would like these people to consider a couple of things. First, by writing an article telling everyone how wrong our religion is and how right you are, aren't you also placing yourself up as a know-it-all authority and better than me or anyone else who doesn't believe as you do? Second, I don't belong to my religion because of the people who are in it, but I truly believe the teachings. I could have decided not to attend many times if I based my belief on the actions of others. No one is perfect, and part of striving to be like Jesus Christ is to love others anyway, inspite of their imperfections.

So, now that I have mentioned the Savior's name, let me talk about that tender subject a little. One day, quite a few years ago, a man came to my door to invite me to attend his church. I thanked him and told him that I already attended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He then began to tell me in a harsh tone that I didn't believe in Jesus, that I worshipped Joseph Smith and didn't believe in the Bible. I told him that he was wrong and I said how dare he tell me that I didn't believe in Christ. I was so offended. After he left, I quickly called my dear friend Ruth, who is not LDS, and asked her if she doubted that I believe in Jesus Christ. She told me that she knew I did. That experience has stayed with me because many people think that Mormon's do not believe in Christ the same way that they do. I don't understand what way they believe in Him then, because here is what I believe: He is my Savior and my Redeemer. He is the only begotten son of God the Father. He atoned for my sins and the sins of the world in the Garden of Gethsemane. He died on the cross and was resurrected the third day. Because of Him I can repent of my sins and I will be resurrected. I will be able to live with Him and His Father and my loved ones again some day. I love Him and I know that He lives and loves me.
I do believe the Bible to be the word of God. Certainly, it was a verse of the Bible, in James that led Joseph Smith to pray. I also believe the Book Of Mormon, which also bears witness of the Savior with the Bible. I do not worship Joseph Smith. I honor him for who he was. To quote a favorite hymn, "I believe in Christ, He is my King. With all my heart, His praise I'll sing..."

So, are my beliefs so different that yours? One main difference is that we believe that God still speaks to his children today through a living prophet. What did Amos say in the old Testament?
"Surly the Lord God will do nothing, save it be through the mouth of his prophets."

Anyway, this wasn't going to turn into an explanation of the LDS religion, but just sort of a venting about how this woman made me feel. I guess you can tell that I felt a lot. I also hope that if you are judging my religion, you will remember this passage of scripture as well, "By their fruits, ye shall know them." Our church does so much good in the world. Check into it if you wonder. I can also see the fruits of the teachings of the gospel in my own family with my own children. I want you to know that my religious beliefs are what give me hope and joy in this chaotic world and bring peace and joy into my home. I love my life, my family, my friends, my religion and my Savior. Don't try to tell me what I believe, because I already know!