Where are you personally on the faith spectrum?

[Anonymous]

In fairness, Elder Robbins’s talk that started the thread that inspired this one does make the point that we have or gain perfect knowledge one thing at a time, using Alma’s seed analogy. He does make a point of emphasizing that revelation happens in small increments.

[Anonymous]

amateurparent wrote:

I believe God love EACH of us in an extraordinary manner. I believe he wants wonderful things for each of us .. ALL of his children. I also believe God expects each of us to help each other as much as possible — not to change religions — but to help in basic ways of food, shelter, clothing, empathy, service. I don’t think he care much about what religion we affiliate with. I think he cares very much how I treat people, how I help people, how I am a force of goodness in the world.

And yet .. None of those good acts are going to earn me a place with God. I don’t think the system works like that either. I have no idea how the system works. That is God’s business — not mine. But if I can truly be a force of goodness and service in this life, I am not worried about the next life. God is pleased with me and that will have to be enough.

I have found that after my faith crisis that I would say my views are much the same. I am internally motivated to help others with not much concern about it being “points” on the positive side of the ledger. In fact I can say that I used to wonder and be motivated by the final judgment. Now it is something that I generally look forward to.

So sorry to hear about your daughter. I had a sibling die out of the blue at something of an early age. Her death was sure a blow to my parents. I don’t wish that experience on anyone.

[Anonymous]

DarkJedi wrote:

In fairness, Elder Robbins’s talk that started the thread that inspired this one does make the point that we have or gain perfect knowledge one thing at a time, using Alma’s seed analogy. He does make a point of emphasizing that revelation happens in small increments.

Great point, DJ.

That is the point of faith, I believe, keep working on things, one at a time, and by default that means we don’t know everything or believe everything yet…but if we are still trying…we have faith in God and his plan.

If we give up entirely on church…that may mean we have faith in something other than church. Which doesn’t mean we don’t have faith.

[Anonymous]

As far as knowledge i have none. I find it probable that there is nothing beyond this life.

Even if there exists some sort of sentient higher power – why would that being expend resources giving us an eternal existence. Humans are a renewable resource.

But I do have hope and faith such a parental God does exist and loves us. I love the story of Jesus as a metaphor for God’s great love for us. Perhaps it happened the way the bible describes – true or not I find power in the metaphor.

So then the LDS church has some unique doctrines. I love the concept of eternal families. I love that the core of people is good and full of potential. I love that we are literally children of God. I love that the fall was a step forward. I love eternal progression.

So I see these concepts somewhat metaphorically as well. They are concepts that can be interpreted and manifest in different ways. They are sorta like art. There is no wrong way to do it. Not all art works for me. I especially enjoy when I see a familiar concept in an entirely new light and it speaks to my soul anew.

So I believe that these things have value in my mortal life and I have hope that they will continue in some form into eternity.

[Anonymous]

Quote:

They are sorta like art. There is no wrong way to do it. Not all art works for me. I especially enjoy when I see a familiar concept in an entirely new light and it speaks to my soul anew.

So I believe that these things have value in my mortal life and I have hope that they will continue in some form into eternity.

I LOVE the way you phrased that. Thank you for sharing that perspective.

— Amateur Parent

[Anonymous]

DarkJedi wrote:

In fairness, Elder Robbins’s talk that started the thread that inspired this one does make the point that we have or gain perfect knowledge one thing at a time, using Alma’s seed analogy. He does make a point of emphasizing that revelation happens in small increments.

I appreciated the way Elder Robbins presented the faith spectrum. He originally asked the listeners to rate themselves, then presented the faith spectrum as follows:

10 – Perfect Knowledge

9 – Endure

8 – Press forward

7 – Taste the fruit

6 – Nourish

5 – Grows

4 – Sprout

3 – Till

2 – Seed

1 – Godless

The reason I like this was because it changed the context of the discussion from viewing faith as simply believing something is true, to a principle of action. When viewing the spectrum this way, I think many people would rate their faith much higher.

As a side note, the idea of Pascal’s Wager in deciding whether or not to believe in God was interesting.

[Anonymous]

My faith is my faith, how I choose to rank it is a reflection of my self-confidence. Am I sure of myself? Then my faith is strong, I pick 10.

My faith does not lie in the interpretations and misunderstandings of others.

My faith does not lie in ideas that sound crazy to me.

My faith does not lie in wishful thinking.

My faith does not depend on signs or unexpected “blessings.”

My faith reflects my trust in goodness, and all knowledge that has been revealed to me.

I don’t try to compare my faith or my understanding to others – except for entertainment and curiosity value.

My faith is what it is, I call it a 10, in my book it’s everything it can be in this moment – and growing.

[Author]

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