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I recognize that many of us are here (myself included) due to trials of our faith, negative Church experiences, doctrinal issues that make life as an active LDS person difficult. And many other reasons. However, I think it can also be valuable to discuss the truths of the gospel that still DO resonate with us. The goodness of the Church and life as an LDS person. I’d love to hear those areas that do resonate you, that lead you to continue searching and trying to reconcile your misgivings, or adapt your way of looking at the Church so you CAN remain in it.
I want to share one truth that resonates with me. That’s the goodness of the Book of Mormon. As far as its origins go, I’m neutral on whether it can be justified historically. However, from a sheer “impact on my life” perspective, the effects have been far-reaching.
The story in Mosiah 24 aboutt he people of Alma being rescued from slavery due to divine intervention helped me during a time when I was struggling to get the money together to be a missionary. There were obstacles from my non-member parents, my Stake President regarding funding of the mission, and my general lack of skills and employment at the time. It was a difficult period for me.
That chapter in Mosiah taught me the principles that eventually changed that situation for me.
From that chapter, I learned the importance of being cheerful when you’re suffering — and how that tends to ease the pain. I learned to keep striving, with faith, but also with patience, being willing to keep trying until the Lord saw fit to “release me from bondage”. I learned that the Lord often intervenes when he see us handling the burdens with a positive attitude, patience, without complaining, and with hope the situation will change — grace under fire, so to speak.
That is one truth that resonates with me, notwithstanding my own trials of faith and personal demons that interfere with my own peace with the Church.
What truths still resonate with you?
Thanks SilentDawning! I agree, it is important to talk about and reinforce the positive side of things. For me it is all about Love. Love your neighbor as yourself, love the goodness, wisdom, and source of love that is God. Try to make love the motivating force for everything you do in life. That’s what I cling to. I love hearing talks and lessons that touch on this point. I loved Elder Uchtdorf’s talk “You are my hands” and I appreciate how many times I’ve heard it referred to again in church as part of other talks and lessons.
There are many other meaningful things I get from church, our tradition is rich in symbolism and there are many wonderful parallels to ponder. When we can get past the confusion and disorientation that is the faith crisis I truly believe we can come to a better place in the church than we have ever experienced before.
This post almost moved me to tears – not an easy feat! Thanks for sparking me to think about the messages I love from the Book of Mormon. I’ve been ignoring it for the past little while and reading the NT, but as I read your post my mind flashed to one of my favorite parts, King Benjamin’s address. I’ve always loved the verses where he talks about how it’s so easy for us to discard people who are struggling because we might think they deserve it or brought it upon themselves, I think it’s in Mos. chapter 4, and he says, “Are we not all beggars?” and talks about how we all depend on God, whatever the source of our misery. Wow. That really resonates with me. We are all here on earth together and all have our difficulties, it doesn’t matter who we are or our situation – we are all dependent on God, whatever you choose to interpret him/she/it as. I Am a Child of God As I Have Loved You, Love One Another
Where Love Is, There God is Also
Why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men.
No power or influence can…be maintained… by virtue of [position]. Only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness and by pure knowledge.
Follow the Spirit
Steven Covey, The Arbinger Institute, John Lewis Lund
Orson wrote:I loved Elder Uchtdorf’s talk “You are my hands” and I appreciate how many times I’ve heard it referred to again in church as part of other talks and lessons.
Great talk – I picked this one to teach in EQ last Sunday. Very good message.
The greatest “truth” that I have gained from the LDS church is the importance and
focus on the family.I truly believe that “every program and policy in the church is designed to strengthen and help the family unit.” It doesn’t always work out that way – but… Some other great truths that the LDS church believe in that keep me coming back every sunday:
*Meditation – seeking personal revelation. if any of you lack wisdom…
*”We claim the privilege of worshiping according to the dictates of our own conscience. Let people worship who, where and what they may.”
*Clean living – Chasity – consequences for every action. I actually think the church did a pretty good job with the new “For the Strength of Youth pamphlet” hated the old version – wouldn’t let my kid read it. This latest edition is pretty good though. I give the church credit for it.
*”Worlds without end ” No beginning or end to time and space.
cwald wrote:The greatest “truth” that I have gained from the LDS church is
the importance and focus on the family.That is my favorite thing about the church as well, cwald. I couldn’t have said it better.
Thanks for starting this thread, SD. Great thoughts for me to ponder.
Every single person who ever has been born is of divine importance and worth – so much so that God cries even over those that look him in the eye and swing their fists. My own best effort is good enough.
We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.
God will speak peace to my soul. (spirit and body)
Little children are alive in Christ.
That humility is a prerequisite to power. That the Holy Ghost does have the power to comfort me. I felt the power of the Holy Ghost as a teenager when I was suffering from loneliness, and it completely lifted a burden from me.
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