My Perspective

I think it is helpful at the beginning of a new blog to allow the reader to understand the current world view of the blogger. This allows the reader to have some context with which to understand future posts.

I am an active, faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I feel that I have a strong, personal relationship with my Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. I feel that I am very familiar with the doctrines of the modern Church. I have become acquainted with the challenges to the validity of the truthfulness of the Church. Some of which is still unresolved with me. I am capable of entertaining the idea that the Church is not true. I believe that it is possible to look at all the evidence, spiritual included, and come to the conclusion that the Church is not true. However, I do believe that it is possible to look at all the evidence, bar none, and arrive at the conclusion that the Church is true provided that one modifies one's understanding of a few doctrinal points. I have had to undergo several paradigm shifts to accomodate new knowledge. I am very interested to communicating with others who are believers in learning what modifications you have made to your understanding of the gospel to accomodate the difficult things.

I used to be confident in my understanding, using words like "I know" when sharing my testimony. Now I am more humble. I have faith that the feelings and impressions I have and believe to come from the Spirit, really do come from the Spirit. I have faith that the good things that happen to me in my life are answers to prayers and blessings from God. I have faith that the transformation that takes place in me is the result of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I believe these things while acknowledging the possibility that my perceptions and way of organizing my experiences could be mistaken.

This faith is sufficient for me to be able to give priesthood blessings, to receive what I believe to be inspiration to help me with my callings, to continue to worship in the temple and keep my covenants.

Comments

Eric Nielson said…
Welcome. I look forward to reading what you have to say.
Wed Mar 01, 11:33:00 AM PST
annegb said…
me, too. I lived in Republic Kansas for two years when I was a child. Good people.
Wed Mar 22, 02:23:00 PM PST
Hüffenhardt said…
I assume most people who are reading this thread nowadays have probably figured out that this was written when I did believe, but now I do not.
Wed Nov 14, 06:49:00 PM PST
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