Do you believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored church of God, or just a group of nice people trying to be good? The church is either of God, it has either been restored in its fullness and is still on the earth, or all the prophesies are wrong and we are all lost without hope because the healing word of God cannot go to all people.
What do you believe? What do you live by?
Do you see the world in shades of gray. When I have, I have found that living in a world of gray is so confusing, not knowing what is right or where to go. Life is hard enough on its own. When I focus on God, I can see black and white, better, and know the way I should go.
I don't doubt, I don't question the Lord. I know in whom I trust. The way I see it, you now have to choose what to hold on to. If you just pick a few threads of the gospel you will find yourself falling in the great storm of life because they don't have enough strength on their own to sustain you. You are at a crossroads my friend.
Do you read and study your scriptures daily? Do you pray? When was the last time you went to the temple? And when can you go again?
I know these are private answers, so I don't really expect an answer, but I love introspective questions, so really come up with answers.
I know that we are not alone, our God has not taken His authority and power to help all His children find strength. It is here, it is within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This church is not just an organization ran by good people, it is an organization with Christ at its head, and Thomas S. Monson, the Lord's anointed prophet directing it here on Earth. If Thomas S. Monson is anything else, this church is false. I know that He is God's prophet, and it is through listening to Him that we hear the Savior's voice too.
Our Savior lived in mortality for not much longer than I've been alive. Within that time, He never once put Himself first, He never once made excuses so that the way was 'easier' than living obediently. He never complained or ignored His fellowmen, and lived in such a way to bring others up, not leaving them in doubt or held captive by darkness. He remembered us, and He loves us, and though He was constantly given reasons to turn away, to take an easier path, to give up, He never gave any heed to the tempter. The temptations were still there, but He turned away from them and focused on God and His eternal work, of which we are both a part. He knew what was right and He lived it. He ignored counterfeits by immediately identifying them, and rejecting them. Christ concluded His mortal ministry in the greatest pain, the greatest loneliness, the greatest hurt, and with as many reasons to quit as you could possibly imagine, but He held on. I know that our Savior lived this way so that we can come back. So that we have a reason to rejoice, to find strength, and to find direction when we are lost. There is a way prepared. This way, we can be strong, we can have faith at all times, we can be truly wise and not just intelligent, we can be true, and we can be united eternally. It is through His life, and His death, His daily struggles and conquests over the adversary that the door was opened, the way was prepared, and now we can follow in it.
The choice is yours what to believe. I hope you would write it down in your journal and I would hope that you would find truth and live it. Theoretical debates are great, but whatever path you choose, I hope you find peace and answers, not just more questions. Choose who to follow and I hope you find joy and healing.
The life you lead is your own. If you look for faults or inadequacies in the church, I guarantee you'll find them. Does that mean that Thomas S. Monson is not the true and living prophet? No. God has not ceased leading this Church. Do you believe that? Please don't fall to doubt and fear, questioning everything and trusting no one.There is a way prepared, the truth was restored by Joseph Smith, and prophets have led the church since. It is through this continuing revelation we find strength to go on each day, and hope for eternity. We cannot have that without the prophet. I would hope that you continue to read and study the words of God as much as you do any other book, for where there is light in those books you mention, there is only one source of perfect light, God, and if you only settle for a little light, a little bit of truth in a sea of almost-truths, you'll live your life in darkness. And I for one will not live that way.
I know it is long, but it is true. What else matters?
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