Wonderful.
Happy.
Easy.
Fair.
Life is hard. Horrible things happen to every kind of person be they good or bad. Some people get it 'worse' than others with no regard to how 'good' a person they are.
Life is about joy.
I'm not talking about great days or big accomplishments. For one, we must know misery to understand joy but I don't believe that's the only purpose to miserable conditions; otherwise we would just have to get our taste of misery and be done.
We must learn to choose joy, despite all the reasons to despair. I believe this is the toughest choice to make. Sometimes the closest I come to choosing joy is simply not giving up on the hope of a better day. (Or a less bad day.)
Joy isn't easy. For some it may not be entirely possible in this life. But it is our purpose, and this life is not all there is. Men are that they might have joy.
I believe that the greatest joy is found in following Christ's example to overcome all obstacles faithfully and obediently. The modicum of joy I experience when I finish a project at work or school or when I just feel at peace, I suspect, is a small taste of the joy I hope to have when I finish this life. In the meantime, I will strive to choose joy in spite of life, for I am not of this world. I am of Joy.
Life is good.
*note: the word Life can mostly be substituted above with mortality to help clarify my meaning though wouldn't entire capture my thoughts.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
Current Issues
I've found myself caught up by the current hot-topic of same-sex attraction, homosexual relations, gay lifestyle, or whatever you want to call it.
First, I think this topic has been to interesting to me because it hits home on so many things I hold to be dear. Emotions rage on all sides of the conversation, and rightly so I believe. I love my family fiercely. My greatest desire is to have a family of my own. I believe firmly that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's church, set up and guided by Him through Prophets. I believe that following the doctrine of Christ will bring lasting happiness. I believe this life is a small blimp on my eternal soul. I believe my choices matter through all eternity.
All of these lead to sometimes conflicting thoughts. However, they are all very important things to me and the "gay issue" (as some have called it) hits on ALL of them.
I strongly believe that there MUST be more tolerance and love in the world. I think everyone can do better at keeping the second great commandment to love their neighbor. Regardless of what I believe to be true, I will respect your beliefs. I hope you do the same.
I believe homosexual relationships to be against the commandment of God with consequences associated with disobedience. (edit: just like overeating. mmm... time for ice cream)
I also believe that I am in no position to judge another for sinning differently than I do. I care what you do, but I'm not going to hold it against you or think less of you. I'm more than willing to tell you what I think you should do but I won't think less of you if you choose not to follow my advise (though, admittedly my ego cares a great deal).
I believe it is not my place to tell other people they're not living correctly. Those who know me will know how I believe a life should be lived. I hope they also know I don't care what they choose so long as they don't complain about it overly much to me or make my life more difficult because of their choices. (I reserve the right to decide when that happens as there is a fine line between being a shoulder to cry on and being dumped on.) Again, I'm more than willing to give advise (if sought out by directly asking or complaining) and your more than welcome to tell me where to put it. (I am a guy and an engineer. Tell me you have a problem and I'll assume you want help fixing it. If that is not the case, tell me.)
I believe I have a responsibility to invite people to come to Christ. I hope my own life is and will be my strongest invitation. I do not believe this belief should contradict my previous beliefs.
I do not believe that the gospel of Christ is all about stopping sin. I believe the invitation to come to Christ isn't about not being something as it is about becoming something. The difference is subtle but means the world to me. Ask me about it!
Most importantly, I believe that God wants to give me everything. To do that, He asks everything of me. Nothing is "too much" to ask. A lifetime of celibacy is fair-game.
I do NOT believe that people with same-sex attraction should be encouraged to "marry anyway" into a straight relationship. To quote Elder Holland,
If you want to know more about what I believe on the topic here are a few sites that helped me form my opinion. Most important is the LDS Church's site, but also a couple blogs, The Weed and (Gay) Mormon Guy. You can also just ask me. Feel free to reply with questions anonymously or with your name. Or without questions for that matter. Reply away!
First, I think this topic has been to interesting to me because it hits home on so many things I hold to be dear. Emotions rage on all sides of the conversation, and rightly so I believe. I love my family fiercely. My greatest desire is to have a family of my own. I believe firmly that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's church, set up and guided by Him through Prophets. I believe that following the doctrine of Christ will bring lasting happiness. I believe this life is a small blimp on my eternal soul. I believe my choices matter through all eternity.
All of these lead to sometimes conflicting thoughts. However, they are all very important things to me and the "gay issue" (as some have called it) hits on ALL of them.
I strongly believe that there MUST be more tolerance and love in the world. I think everyone can do better at keeping the second great commandment to love their neighbor. Regardless of what I believe to be true, I will respect your beliefs. I hope you do the same.
I believe homosexual relationships to be against the commandment of God with consequences associated with disobedience. (edit: just like overeating. mmm... time for ice cream)
I also believe that I am in no position to judge another for sinning differently than I do. I care what you do, but I'm not going to hold it against you or think less of you. I'm more than willing to tell you what I think you should do but I won't think less of you if you choose not to follow my advise (though, admittedly my ego cares a great deal).
I believe it is not my place to tell other people they're not living correctly. Those who know me will know how I believe a life should be lived. I hope they also know I don't care what they choose so long as they don't complain about it overly much to me or make my life more difficult because of their choices. (I reserve the right to decide when that happens as there is a fine line between being a shoulder to cry on and being dumped on.) Again, I'm more than willing to give advise (if sought out by directly asking or complaining) and your more than welcome to tell me where to put it. (I am a guy and an engineer. Tell me you have a problem and I'll assume you want help fixing it. If that is not the case, tell me.)
I believe I have a responsibility to invite people to come to Christ. I hope my own life is and will be my strongest invitation. I do not believe this belief should contradict my previous beliefs.
I do not believe that the gospel of Christ is all about stopping sin. I believe the invitation to come to Christ isn't about not being something as it is about becoming something. The difference is subtle but means the world to me. Ask me about it!
Most importantly, I believe that God wants to give me everything. To do that, He asks everything of me. Nothing is "too much" to ask. A lifetime of celibacy is fair-game.
I do NOT believe that people with same-sex attraction should be encouraged to "marry anyway" into a straight relationship. To quote Elder Holland,
Same-gender attractions run deep, and trying to force a heterosexual relationship is not likely to change them. We are all thrilled when some who struggle with these feelings are able to marry, raise children, and achieve family happiness. But other attempts have resulted in broken hearts and broken homes. - Helping Those Who Struggle with Same-Gender Attraction, Oct. 2007I believe that everyone has their sorrows that the eye can't see. I will do my very best to love you, whoever you are, for who you are. What you choose is yours. Life is difficult. Life is a lot of things but it is not fair. Nobody is entitled to anything. Not love, not pain, not money and not health care(pathetic joke).
If you want to know more about what I believe on the topic here are a few sites that helped me form my opinion. Most important is the LDS Church's site, but also a couple blogs, The Weed and (Gay) Mormon Guy. You can also just ask me. Feel free to reply with questions anonymously or with your name. Or without questions for that matter. Reply away!
Restart
Well this blog was originally intended for a place to organize my thoughts but my first post(s) didn't really reflect that aim so I removed them and intend to start over.
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