To those who have gone away...

The search for truth has led millions of people to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, there are some who leave the Church they once loved.
One might ask, “If the gospel is so wonderful, why would anyone leave?”
Sometimes we assume it is because they have been offended or lazy or sinful. Actually, it is not that simple. In fact, there is not just one reason that applies to the variety of situations.
Some of our dear members struggle for years with the question whether they should separate themselves from the Church.
-- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Oct 2013

There are indeed many reasons why members leave the church and abandon their faith. In my experience, I've known those who separate themselves from the Church because of bad behavior, spiritual apathy, looking for an excuse not to live the commandments, or searching for an easy out. If God doesn't exist then the commandments are not enforceable and there is no sin in doing anything contrary to them. They therefore seek to justify their behavior by dismissing what we in the church consider to be sin and evil. Instead they are lead by human conscience and the greater good. Unfortunately, when sin is eliminated from the equation, so is righteousness. Goodness becomes a relative term subject to interpretation, revision, and alteration. The line between good and bad becomes a large gray area. This is not how it should be.

For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things.  If not so...righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.  Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation.  Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the justice of God.
And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin.  If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness.  And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness.  And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:11 - 13)

No-one should be forced nor coerced to believe in God and His commandments. The truth, however, is that the existence of God is not dependent on our faith in Him. He exists whether we believe in Him or not. And, if He exists, then His commandments are in force whether we accept them or not. We are, of course, free to choose to believe them or not. We are not, however, free to choose the consequences of our choices. If in this life it seems that our choice to disregard the commandments has no undesirable results, and in many cases a person can lead a blissful and happy life without heeding the commandments of God, they may find after death that they have become ineligible for great and eternal blessings. It is especially unfortunate for those who once believed and now choose to set those things aside.

But wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation, for awful is his state!
O that cunning plan of the evil one!  O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men!  When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not.  And they shall perish.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:27 - 28)

These scriptures teach us that not only does God exist, but an opposing force we know to be Satan, or the devil, also exists. He is the one who entices people into throwing away their faith and their God.

O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one.  Remember, to be carnally–minded is death, and to be spiritually–minded is life eternal.
O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words.  Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel.  Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker.  I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken.
O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:39 - 41)

There is comfort in knowing that there is a God in Heaven who loves every individual even when they sin and ignore the commandments. He sent His Son to atone for our transgressions and to prepare the way to return to Him and receive immortality and eternal life.

And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall.  And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.
Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man.  And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:26 - 27)

If anyone has been offended by something in church that was said or not said, done or not done, or if there are things you have done that would make you feel ashamed if you acknowledged a belief in God, for a moment, try to set those hurt feelings aside and allow the good message of the Gospel to have a little place in your heart.

Now, as I said concerning faith—that it was not a perfect knowledge—even so it is with my words.  Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge.
But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words
(Book of Mormon | Alma 32:26 - 27)

I have tasted of the blessings of the Gospel of our Savior. His arms of mercy are open and the invitation is extended to all to come unto Him, or to come back unto Him if you have gone away, and partake of those sweet blessings.

Returning to the Happiest Place

I love going to Disneyland. Sure, sometimes it's crowded and hot,and the wait times are incredibly long. Then there is the premium price of admission and the cost of meals. Even so, it's a great place to spend a family vacation. We're not annual passholders which means we only visit maybe once a year or so. There are a couple of reasons though why I like to return to the Anaheim resort.

Walt Disney said that as long as there is imagination in the world, Disneyland would never be finished. Indeed, there is always something new or updated like the all new Carsland in Disney California Adventure or Jack Sparrow in the old Pirates of the Caribbean. That's one reason why I look forward to going to the parks, to see everything that's new and haven't seen before.

On the other hand, it's also good to come back to a place that's familiar. When I pass through the main gate at the Magic Kingdom, I know there will be the big Mickey shaped flower bed. Then I'll walk through the tunnel under the train tracks and enter Main Street, USA. From there I know that I can continue to the hub where to my right will be Tomorrowland, or straight ahead through Sleeping Beauty's Castle to Fantasyland, or turn left into Adventureland or Frontierland. I know where to get Fastpasses, where the restrooms are, and the quickest way to get from one attraction to another.

Then again, I can always find something in the parks that I hadn't noticed before even though it may have been there all along. It's not really new but it's new to me. Disney fans know about "hidden mickeys." These are like hidden Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the park that only the true fans can spot. For example, the current Winnie the Pooh ride is in the same location where the Country Bear Jamboree used to be. Halfway through the ride, if you look back and up toward the ceiling you can see the mounted heads of the same trio that used to appear in the old show. This was intentionally installed by the imagineers as a nod to the old attraction that was once there and noticeable only to those who know where to look.

I've heard people often complain about going on "It's a Small World" and having that song get stuck in their head. I actually like the song and don't mind having it repeating endlessly in my mind. There are far worse things to have stuck in your brain than a song about world harmony.

It's also nice to know that when I need assistance I can turn to the map that shows me where to find what I'm looking for.

These are some of the same reasons why I like to return regularly to the scriptures. The Bible, the Book of Mormon, and other books of holy scripture have become familiar to me. I know where to find passages about the Savior, words of comfort, directions for leading a good life, and other important messages for our salvation. Every time I go back to read them, it's also possible to find something I hadn't noticed before that was there all along.

When I don't know exactly where something is, there is a topical guide and index to help me find what I'm looking for.

There are some scripture verses that I've memorized that I like to recall from time to time. You could say that they sometimes get stuck in my head. That's usually a good thing and a reminder of Heavenly Father's messages for me .

But, what about finding something that really is new? As Latter-day Saints, "We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." (Ninth Article of Faith) Twice a year in general conference, we sustain the First Presidency of the church and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. In those same conferences we can hear their words as they are inspired and guided by the Holy Ghost. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience something new, and to be able to return to those new messages online or in the magazines of the church.

While it's fun to return to the "Happiest Place on Earth", I can always return to the happiest place in the scriptures. Best of all, it doesn't cost money, it's not crowded, and there are no lines!

The Kobayashi Maru Test

The infamous Kobayashi Maru test, introduced in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. It's the unbeatable, no-win scenario meant to test the character of starship commanders in training. As Admiral Kirk put it, a no-win situation is a possibility every comander might face. How we deal with death is as important as how we deal with life, he explained. When Kirk was in the academy, however, he managed to become the only cadet to ever win the test. He did so by changing the conditions of the test so that it was possible to win. In short, he cheated death.

In real life though, we will all face our own Kobayashi Maru test at one time or another. Chronic and long-term illness, divorce, the loss of a loved one, or ultimately our own impending death are some of the no-win scenarios we may have to encounter. Unlike Kirk though, we can't change the conditions of the test in order to escape the outcome. On the other hand, we can learn how to deal with the inevitable no-win situations that come into our lives.

I believe the key to enduring our Kobayashi Maru-like trials is to have faith in Jesus Christ. Because of His atonement, the Lord knows our pains and our sufferings and so can give us the power and ability to endure them.

"But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life." (D&C 50:5)

"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes."(D&C 121:7-8)

“Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.” (D&C 24:8)

“Behold, we count them happy which endure.” (James 5:11).

Elder Robert D. Hales Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once counseled:

"The basic requirements for enduring to the end include knowing who we are, children of God with a desire to return to His presence after mortality; understanding the purpose of life, to endure to the end and obtain eternal life; and living obediently with a desire and a determination to endure all things, having eternal vision. Eternal vision allows us to overcome opposition in our temporal state and, ultimately, achieve the promised rewards and blessings of eternal life. 

If we are patient in our afflictions, endure them well, and wait upon the Lord to learn the lessons of mortality, the Lord will be with us to strengthen us unto the end of our days." (General Conference, April 1998, “Behold, We Count Them Happy Which Endure”)

My mother was a great example of enduring to the end. Even during her final year of mortal life, unable to move or speak, she smiled at those who came to visit. She even made sure to renew her temple recommend even though she would never again be able to attend. Her love of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ never failed. She met her Kobayashi Maru test with great faith and character. I hope and pray I can do the same.

No Answer to Prayer?

There are people who say they have prayed about God, the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, the restored Gospel or any other aspect of the church, but who never received an answer. And so, since they didn't receive an answer as promised they argue that it can't be true and that there is no God. What they don't understand is that there are prerequisites to receiving answers from heaven. We can turn to the admonition given to Oliver Cowdery when he was seeking divine guidance:

"Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me." (D&C 9:7)

What then are the prerequisites to receiving answers to our prayers? The counsel given to Oliver continues in this manner:

"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right." (D&C 9:8)

In the New Testament, the apostle James also teaches us a principle about prayer:

"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." (James 1:6-7)

In the Book Mormon, the prophet Alma defines what it means to have faith:

"And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." (Alma 32:21)

In some cases, having faith in something unseen and unproven can seem to be an almost impossible task. Alma, however, further explains that our fledgling faith can begin with simply a desire to believe which he describes as "a particle of faith."

"But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words." (Alma 32:27)

And, what is it that we should believe, or at the very least, desire to believe as the case may be? Here is an example of where we can begin:

"Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." (Mosiah 4:9)

Some critics may counter that to exercise belief is merely setting oneself up to create false feelings from within our own minds simply because we expect them. On the other hand, those of us who have received a confirmation from the Holy Ghost in answer to prayer can testify that the feelings and sensations are, in most cases, quite different than what we anticipated. In some instances the confirmation has come not when we were praying but at a later time when we least expected it.

Such was the case with Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. As a teenager he desired to receive a testimony of the gospel. One summer while participating in the Hill Cumorah Pageant near Palmyra, New York, he decided this was the time and place to ask in prayer.

“One night after the performance, I went to the Sacred Grove alone,” he remembers. “It was a beautiful summer evening. I entered the grove, and began to pray. I prayed very diligently for an hour, maybe more—and nothing happened.”

Nothing happened. He left disappointed at not having received the confirmation he was hoping for.

A month later though, as he was reading the Book of Mormon, this is what he experienced:

“Without my asking for it, the witness came,” he recalls. “It came without words, actually stronger than words, and I received a very powerful spiritual confirmation—the kind that leaves no doubt—about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith."

He further explained:

“Looking back on that experience, I realize that we can’t dictate to God when, where, or how He will speak to us. We just have to be open to receive what He disposes, when He disposes it. It comes according to His will, and it can come to us wherever we are.”

I recall a scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade when Dr. Jones has to exercise incredible faith in order to cross a great chasm and save his father's life. The clue read, "Only in the leap from the lion's head will he prove his worth." There was nothing to suggest that there was anything to prevent him from falling into the abyss. But believing, he took a step into the air and found that there was indeed an unseen support and a way to get across safely.

To anyone who still doubts or has not yet received an answer to prayer, may I share the words of Elder Jeffery R. Holland:

"What was once a tiny seed of belief for me has grown into the tree of life, so if your faith is a little tested in this or any season, I invite you to lean on mine. I know this work is God’s very truth..."

He, I and countless others have conducted the experiment of faith and traversed the seemingly uncrossable chasm and shown that there really is a God in heaven and truth in the gospel. A loving Heavenly Father is ready and waiting to answer our prayers. The important thing is to believe in the unseen and pray with faith in those things of which we have received a confirmation from our Heavenly Father.

The Borg are at Sector 001

For anyone familiar with the Star Trek universe, the Borg are a well-known fearsome alien adversary. They are a race of cybernetic beings, half-machine and half-biological.  They are actually more machine than creature. Their primary objective is to conquer and assimilate entire worlds. There is no individuality, each unit is a member of the Borg collective. They have no personal will, desires, or identity. Their weaponry is formidable, powerful, and adapts quickly to any defenses.

While the Borg are fictional alien villains in a popular science fiction series, a Borg-like threat is right here at sector 001, in our world. They are Satan and his followers who were cast out of the presence of Heavenly Father and cast down to the earth.

"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." (Revelations 12:9)

"...behold, the devil was before Adam, for he rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power; and also a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency; And they were thrust down, and thus came the devil and his angels." (D&C 29:36-37)

Each of us has been given the great gift of agency, that is, the ability to freely choose our actions according to our desires and wishes. Heavenly Father gave us this gift to enable us to make good and wise choices that will lead us back into His presence and glory in the eternities while bringing us joy and peace in this mortal life.

On the other hand, the adversary and his cohorts are actively working to take down our defenses and to lead us away from the safety of God's safe haven. Temptations are all around us in the media, at school, at work, in diverse places where ever we may be. He also uses otherwise good people to deceive us and try to convince us that the things we hold to be true are false and foolish. The devil wants to trap us and make us believe that "resistance is futile."

"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." (2 Nephi 2:27)

Succumbing to the temptations and deceptions of the adversary invariably lead to addictions, sufferings, or misery of one kind or another. We must resist! We have to keep our defenses up at all times and in all places. It's important that we turn away from temptations and use our agency to choose righteousness and the way of the Savior. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life and never-ending joy in the presence of our Heavenly Father.

"I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness." (Mosiah 2:41)

With God all things are possible, including safe passage around treacherous Borg territory.

Truth and Falsehood on the Internet

The internet has become a fantastic resource for discovering and researching important gospel principles and topics. On the other hand, it can also lead to questionable material that claims to reveal hidden truths about the church, its leaders, and its history. In the October 2012 General Conference, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles lamented about this unfortunate situation:

Some have immersed themselves in Internet materials that magnify, exaggerate, and, in some cases, invent shortcomings of early Church leaders. Then they draw incorrect conclusions that can affect testimony.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, also of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles offered this wise counsel to those who have been exposed to this type of material:

Brothers and sisters, this is a divine work in process, with the manifestations and blessings of it abounding in every direction, so please don’t hyperventilate if from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will. In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith. (General Conference April 2013)

At the end of his comments, he shared his reassurance and a powerful testimony of the work and its divinity:

I declare some things I now know. I know that God is at all times and in all ways and in all circumstances our loving, forgiving Father in Heaven. I know Jesus was His only perfect child, whose life was given lovingly by the will of both the Father and the Son for the redemption of all the rest of us who are not perfect. I know He rose from that death to live again, and because He did, you and I will also. I know that Joseph Smith, who acknowledged that he wasn’t perfect, was nevertheless the chosen instrument in God’s hand to restore the everlasting gospel to the earth. I also know that in doing so—particularly through translating the Book of Mormon—he has taught me more of God’s love, of Christ’s divinity, and of priesthood power than any other prophet of whom I have ever read, known, or heard in a lifetime of seeking. I know that President Thomas S. Monson, who moves devotedly and buoyantly toward the 50th anniversary of his ordination as an Apostle, is the rightful successor to that prophetic mantle today. We have seen that mantle upon him again in this conference. I know that 14 other men whom you sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators sustain him with their hands, their hearts, and their own apostolic keys. These things I declare to you with the conviction Peter called the “more sure word of prophecy.” What was once a tiny seed of belief for me has grown into the tree of life, so if your faith is a little tested in this or any season, I invite you to lean on mine. I know this work is God’s very truth, and I know that only at our peril would we allow doubt or devils to sway us from its path. Hope on. Journey on. Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe.

I am familiar with just about every claim, every argument, every alleged historical fact that has been proposed to try to prove that Joseph Smith was a fake and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a man-made false religion. I still believe and hold fast to my testimony to the calling of Joseph Smith as a prophet of God, to the restoration of eternal gospel truths, and to the Book of Mormon as a divine translation of ancient records. To those who have questions and doubts, I reassure you that there are answers and the answers make sense. Think about the thousands upon thousands of intelligent and highly educated individuals in science, education, law, and other professional fields who exercise faith as members of the church. If faith requires ignorance then you wouldn't find those kind of people in the church, and yet they are there.

And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true. (Alma 32:21)

I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith. (Ether 12:6)

Pray, read the scriptures, be humble, and believe.

But verily, verily, I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on my name. Amen. (D&C 11:30)

She has gone to Paradise

My dear mother passed away on March 3rd. I miss her.

An ancient American prophet named Alma taught about what happens after we die. His words assure me that I haven't really lost my mother. Our separation is only temporary.

"Therefore, there is a time appointed unto men that they shall rise from the dead; and there is a space between the time of death and the resurrection. And now, concerning this space of time, what becometh of the souls of men is the thing which I have inquired diligently of the Lord to know; and this is the thing of which I do know....
"Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life." (Book of Mormon, Alma 40:9,11)

I'm certain that my mother's spirit is now alive and in that world of spirits rejoicing with family, relatives, and friends who preceded her in passing through the door of death. Then there will come a time when all things will be restored.

"The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame." (Book of Mormon, Alma 40:23)

While I don't really care for poetry, a few years ago I wrote some lines as I thought about my mother. I knew her condition would get worse as time passed. I guess this was a way to deal with how I felt and still do feel.

If the day comes when you can longer speak to me,
I will look at your face and read the words in your eyes.

If the day comes when you can no longer see me,
I will hold your hand and feel the words in our touch.

If the day comes when your journey here ends,
Stay near my spirit and I will hear your words in my heart.

I'm thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ that gives me hope in the face of death and light in days of darkness. I know my Savior lives, and because He lives, all of us including my Mom, will live again.
Gospel Topics: Physical Death