Comment on why I believe......

So I've been feeling that I should write this post for a couple of weeks now. I don't really mention religion on my blog, I don't know why-I consider myself to be a religiously spiritual person. But I'm mentioning it now so that's all that matters.

I've been a member of the Churc of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since I was baptized at the age of 8. I was raised in the church because my family belonged and their family belonged and so forth. I have chosen to remain in the church because I know this is the only true church on this earth that contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the proper authority to perform all of the ordinances necessary to become like my older brother Jesus Christ and return to live with my Heavenly Father after I die. I also know that the Book of Mormon/Bible/Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price combined with the continuing revelation received by our Prophet and his counselors and apostles helps me be prepared to receive those ordinances. I also know that it's through the ordinances I've made that I have the gift of the Holy Ghost or the Spirit which is God's way of communicating to me things I need to be taught or what I need to do in this life.

It sounds easy when I write it down in a few simple sentences, but living the gospel is hard. If it was easy everyone would be doing it and we'd all be perfect and we wouldn't learn anything. I have a hard time trying to align myself with the teachings of Christ. I'm not perfect by any means. I forget to read scriptures, I gossip, I swear, I complain, I don't do nearly as much service to others as I should, and there are tons of other things I struggle with, but I know that Jesus Christ provided an atonement for me so that I can repent of these things and strive daily to be better. I hold myself up to a high standard, that of becoming like Christ, but I can't imagine a better person to want to emmulate. I realize that it's a lifelong process but I'm in this for the long haul so I've got to work on it.

Because this is a lifelong process I haven't just prayed one time to know if the church is true, or to know if Thomas S. Monson is the true Prophet of God, or if the Book of Mormon is true. Every time I read the scriptures or listen to the words of the Prophet, I say a silent prayer that I will know that what I'm learning is true. I have consistently felt the Spirit let me know that it's true. It's all true. If I didn't believe it was true than I would be out partying and sleeping around and doing whatever the 'world' says I should be doing. But time and time again my beliefs, my testimony if you will, are/is renewed by the Spirit that what I'm doing is right.  

So when those times come (and they frequently do) when I feel completely alone in what I believe, I pray, and the Lord lets me know that He is aware of my struggles and He lets me know that what I'm doing is right for me, and that I'm not truely alone because He is with me.

And that's why I believe.