Where does the church fit for you

[Anonymous]

Katzpur wrote:

I’m just curious as to why so many people voted for The Church has only those truths common to all religions, because the only such “truth” I can think of is that Jesus Christ was our Savior. True, that’s a pretty big truth, but that’s about all most Christians can actually agree on, so which truths (plural) are you all thinking of that we have in common with “all religions”?

I wouldn’t have put the Savior on that list, with there being so many non-Christian religions. Deep down, the purpose of all religions (few exceptions) is to bring about human flourishing; to help us to live happy and filfilling lives, cope with loss and hardship, and recognize and accept our eventual death. Many different religions have many different approaches to this, but there are some core “truths” we all share. Some of the universal truths are:

-Anger and peace cannot exist within the same person at the same time.

-You are small, fragile, selfish, and ofttimes an idiot. So is everybody else.

-Your life has meaning. You have value.

-Even in the worst of times, there is always something to be happy about.

-It’s okay to cry.

-Your actions, for good or bad, forever affect the world around you.

-When you have done wrong, admit to it and say you are sorry.

-Work for a cause greater than yourself.

-Keep your promises.

-Avoid harming others.

-Show kindness whenever possible.

-It’s okay to die.

Since my faith crisis, I’ve taken the view of the Buddhist mantra “There are many paths to God”. I don’t know the details, and I’m pretty sure no one does. TBH, Joseph Smith made quite a few theological shots in the dark, and missed more than his fair share. But he did teach many doctrines which, whether or not they are true, help many people to live happy and fulfilling lives. I don’t believe in the Abrahamic God, or in a life after death, or that Jesus Christ was the Savior in the same sense as most Christians believe. I don’t feel I need those beliefs for my life to have meaning, or to find happiness. But I don’t fault anyone who does. The truth of the LDS Church doesn’t matter so much to me anymore. Truth has very little value, if it doesn’t inspire. And fiction can inspire greatly in spite of not being true. I wish we would focus on “truth” in the Church a little less. What matters is what comes after.

[Anonymous]

Many of these options had to do with truth and seemed to suggest that truth equated to eternal cosmic realities.

I am not sure that those sorts of truths (eternally unchanging fact) have anything to do with what we learn and do in church.

However, (like dande and nibbler have said) there are concepts in the church that are useful and help the adherent to have a more meaningful and purposeful life. Those concepts can be true in a different way. True as in useful or operating as designed. Many of these true concepts found in the church are shared in common with other churches. A few have a distinctive LDS flavor.

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