Skip to main content

Beliefs are Beautiful Things

Today was fast and testimony meeting at church. As I watched people testify of what they believe to be true, I realized beliefs are beautiful things. One lady testified how her belief in Jesus Christ and the Resurrection gave her hope that she would one day be reunited with her deceased mother again. A man testified how his belief that Jesus Christ had purified him from his past sins gave him strength and the ability to feel the spirit again. A visitor stood to testify that those who mourn for loved ones lost will eventually feel the sadness lessen and life will get better. She lost her husband 4 years ago and it is finally getting easier. Another gentleman testified how he knew the church was true. Another woman testified how she knew the LDS church was the only true church and place where people can find peace. And another man testified that he knew we had living prophets on earth today and how wonderful to know that he has God's will and doctrine for him.

I like listening to people's beliefs. They are diverse. I have no desire to dictate anyone's beliefs for I believe that so long as your beliefs don't impinge on mine, nor harm anyone or thing, they are beautiful. Beliefs help people find meaning. From listening to people testify, I can tell that they provide lots of comfort too. My beliefs do exactly that for me, but it hasn't always been so. For many years I simply adopted the beliefs of others as I thought that was what I was "commanded" to do. I wanted to be obedient and good. Wise people came into my life that helped me see the wisdom in putting down any belief that doesn't empower me personally. I learned that we get to choose what we believe and beliefs create our reality. Since that awakening, I've been very thoughtful with my beliefs. I actually am less concerned about what I believe and defining and defending them. I like to just BE, and let others BE too. The Beatles nailed it once again, Let it Be. :)

My beliefs do not require anyone to agree or believe what I believe. I always enjoy hearing what people think and believe, but when our beliefs are different, I no longer think I am right and they are wrong. I realize that there are many ways and there is no one right way. If your beliefs aren't empowering, I encourage you to change them. Put down beliefs that keep you down. Upgrade them. Everyone deserves beliefs that make them fly so I guess I shouldn't say beliefs are beautiful things. I should say "beliefs that empower are beautiful things."
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Holy Treason

I don’t know if you’re like me or not, but I was born into the one and only “true” religion of God. I spent my entire life studying and living the principles and teachings of my faith. I knew the doctrine, and I believed it to be true. Until I didn’t. The road to the unraveling of my faith is a rather long one—definitely another article for another day--but suffice it to say, I began studying other religions and realized that all of them contained beautiful truths. I felt as uplifted and inspired while reading their scriptures as I did reading mine. I understood why some referred to religion as a “faith culture” for I was now aware that had I been born and raised in a different religion, I’d have believed that religious tradition to be true. I came to see religions as merely vehicles leading us back to God. Surely God didn’t care whether his children drove jalopies or Jaguars so long as they were moving along the superhighway back to Him. Or could it be her? Or perhaps there wasn’t ju...
2 comments
Read more

Relationships

I've been thinking a bit about relationships. I'm seeing them differently than I've ever seen them before. First, I realize that relationships are created in our minds. What we think about our relationships defines them. If I think my daughter is ungrateful, I will see ingratitude in all her actions. If I tell myself my coworker is annoying, I will find him extremely so.  And so it goes. What we think about others creates how we relate to them. So why not think happy, positive, loving thoughts about the people we relate with? We absolutely have the power to create amazing relationships by changing the way we think about our relations. Second, I've been thinking about the importance of loving the people in our life for who they are, not for what we need them to be. People need freedom to be who they want to be. If you love someone, you don't try to change them. That isn't love. Love is accepting someone for who they are and where they are right now. Love know...
Post a Comment
Read more

His Light Lives On

Page told me during breakfast this morning that President Thomas S. Monson passed away last night. The realization that a great soul had left this mortal life washed over me. I wanted to pay tribute to him today so I decided I would take his framed picture with me to work and set it aside a lighted candle. It would be my way to acknowledge the illuminating affect he has had in my life and the life of so many others, as well as signify that his light lives on. Here's how it looked:   I moved him throughout the day so that I could always see him. I also spent some time reading some of his most beloved quotes. I felt his presence and my love for his great soul increased. Some of the quotes I shared with others throughout the day include: Decisions determine destiny Your future is as bright as your faith   Search inward. Reach outward. Look heavenward Never postpone a prompting We can't direct the wind but we can adjust the sails It's always b...
Post a Comment
Read more