Being Young

The phrase "young and dumb" exists for a reason. When we are young we have a lot to learn and often make many mistakes. It's also the most time we ever spend with our parents. Then slowly but surely our parents take care of us less and less until were able to take care of ourselves. Thanks to what our parents have taught us and what we've learned we can survive the harsh world. God does something very similar. When I started attending church as a youth I had a lot of spiritual experiences! Then I went on a mission and I still had a lot of spiritual experiences that continued to build my testimony. I still have many spiritual experiences but I definitely have not had an outpouring of the spirit like I used to. And its for the same reason that our parents slowly start letting us go. Even though it's hard, parents must let their children go so that they can fully develop, otherwise we'd still be depending on our parents to eat and even walk! God wants us to use our agency, once He has given us the necessary amount of spiritual knowledge and testimony it then becomes our job to apply and remember it. As we learn more we can do what we know we need to do rather than having Him tell us everything we need to do. That is clear from the following quote "For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward."(D&C 58:26) Therefore, we must prove ourselves as we willingly feast upon the words of Christ and walk His path. Paradoxically by doing this we rely more upon the Lord but without Him needing to tell us how to live our lives. I have studied the Gospel and know what I need to do so now more than ever I rely on the Lord to help me achieve that and ultimately become more Christlike. 

The "Why"

Adam was a popular topic this last week. Oftentimes we are caught up in the fall and his disobedience. However, I want to focus on the opposite of that, his obedience. After Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden God commanded them to make sacrifices of the firstling of their flocks. It's safe to assume Adam knew how the sacrifice was to be done and he knew what he was supposed to sacrifice but, he did not know why he was doing it. This is clear in the following verse: "And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me." (Moses 5: 6) The evidence is clear here that Adam had no idea why he was making sacrifices to the Lord, yet he was still obedient. Another important part is that "after many days" does the angel finally appear and explain the why. Likewise, we are often given commandments of which we know what they are and how to obey them but we don't know why. This is truly a trial of faith, and just like with Adam the Lord doesn't reveal immediately why certain commandments are given. Although, this doesn't merely happen with commandments. God has given me personal promptings that I know what I must do and I know how to do it but I don't know why. This is very hard but I know that as I continue in faith the Lord will at some point make His reasons known unto me.

Science vs. Religion

   The debate of science vs. religion has been a heated discussion since the concept of evolution was published by Darwin, and even before then. Yet, the debate is uncalled for. Religion and science cover two different concepts. Science is about discovering how things work by seeking physical truth and then believing. Religion on the other hand explains purpose or why things work the way they do. That truth is sought by believing first and then seeing. This idea is made clear in Ether "ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." (12: 6)
   Fortunately, as a society we have moved on from the days in which religion scorned science. Unfortunately, the shift was to where science scorned religion. As I have explained this is uncalled for, as both have different purposes and seek them in different ways. Even so we are fortunate to live in a society where tolerance and acceptance is spreading. Both science and religion play key roles in our society today. Without science we wouldn't have many, if not all, of our modern day technological advances. Likewise, without religion I wouldn't have a clear idea on my purpose in this life nor would I know what happens after this life. The most important is that through living a Christ centered life I have been able to receive a spiritual joy that science nor technology can provide. 

True Identity

This first week of my class Christ the everlasting Gospel we learned about identities. Not your usual height, weight, address but spiritual identities. One of the scripture quotes I liked the most was from Moses: "And God spake unto Moses, saying: Behold, I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name; for I am without beginning of days or end of years... And, behold, thou art my son" (Moses 1:3-4) The other verses tell even more of God's identity. God's words and works are without end. After reading about God's own identity it is amazing that we are literally his children. As insignificant as we are compared to God, we are still His children. Upon studying this and re-reading it after class it really struck me that I am in fact His son. I was filled with awe but also humbled that God the most powerful of all is my father and He loves and cares for me. Word's cannot fully express how that feels. Yet, it's not a feeling of empowerment, moreover, of gratitude and reverence. I am a child of God and though my needs are great I know that if I do His will I'll return to live with Him someday.