LasVegasSaint's comments

General conference: Faith to Move Mountains

31 Mar 2007 10:06 PM

I just ran across this website...and I'm very happy that I did! I just moved with my wife and children to Las Vegas, and, needless to say this is an eye-opening place! Consequently, we do not get KBYU or anything else in order to listen to conference. Hopefully, I can start bloging on here so that I can keep my sanity! Thank you for your wonderful comments on President Hickley's talk. Faith is so elusive...and yet it is so vital. I grew up Catholic in Utah Valley of all places. I was the only Catholic in my high school. All of my friends were LDS, and, while I never really felt discriminated against or looked down upon, I did feel...well, different. My decision to join the church (when i was 19) was all my own. I've always been a very deep spiritual person and thinker. There is a great quote from Joseph Smith (that I don't have in front of me, but I'll share at a later time) that I've always held dear. (I really should memorize it!) He speaks about the necessity of exploring the deepest abyss in order to commune with God. I've always done that. For other people, it may be a challenge to their faith to open their mind to other beliefs and philosophies, but it has always served as a catalyst to strengthen mine. Without faith (in God, in the church, in the teachings of the prophets), there is not a single thing to keep you in the church. Yes, the secular teachings of the church are nice, and it leads to a happy and prosperous life, but without a faith in the purpose of this existence, there is no reason to stay in the church. Faith is the key. I am so grateful that I have the faith that I do. It has been a blessing to me.