Thoughts on believing

Disclosure for those who don't already know:  I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (ie: Mormon).  It is more than just a big part of my life...it defines who I am and how I live on a daily basis.  But over the past few months and especially these past couple of weeks, I've had cause to really reflect on my beliefs and my testimony of them.  Some complicated and somewhat disturbing conversations have come up at Bryan's office regarding religion.  It has bothered Bryan enough that he shared the contents of those conversations and his thoughts about them with me.  And though initially my response was to just throw up my hand and say, "Please, just no....I don't want to hear it" I found my mind spinning around it nonetheless.

But after thinking long and hard and digging deep inside myself, I came to this simple conclusion.  It's true.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is true.  I believe it.  Every single principle.  I know without a shadow of a doubt that God and his son Jesus Christ live.  They love me and actually know me.  They care about my struggles and my triumphs.  And though my trials and worries may not be very important in the grand scheme of things, if it matters to me, it matter to them.  I believe that my prayers are answered and I believe in personal revelation.  I believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.  I believe that he saw and talked to God and His Son.  I believe that he translated the Book of Mormon and that it is actual scripture.  I believe we have prophets today that know God's will for us.  And I am comforted to know that I don't understand everything and that's okay!  I don't have to have all the answers.  Because even if I don't know the whys, whens, hows and how comes...God does.  And because of my testimony of and faith in these things, I am not easily swayed. 

Please know that I am not trying to preach here.  I know that my beliefs may not be yours and that's okay.  This feels completely good, real and true to me...and makes me happy.  Your good, real, true and happy very well may come from something entirely different and I respect that.  But this has been on my mind all day and has brought such joy and comfort so I thought I would share...