Beliefs

Because I am a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it may be easy to assume that my continuation in that faith stems from habits and beliefs ingrained in my youth and never seriously questioned or challenged in my adulthood. The truth is quite the contrary. 

I was raised in the southeast U.S., where I studied and practiced my own faith and became an interested observer of others' practice of theirs. About a year after high school graduation, I served a two-year LDS mission in and around Pusan, Korea. Following my mission, I attended and graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU), a church-owned and operated school. These experiences all served to support and affirm my beliefs.

After graduation from BYU, I entered a PhD program at the University of Iowa. I found the academic seminars and workshops there fascinating.  I began to develop the habit of questioning and challenging the evidence and logic supporting all assertions, including religious ones. This new, academically rigorous way of thinking led me to reassess and reevaluate my own beliefs, particularly during the time immediately following my doctoral graduation and taking my first job as an assistant professor. What, exactly, was my basis for believing in God? Didn’t science offer convincing explanations for the development of the universe and the evolution of humankind that didn’t rely on an appeal to the existence of God? What evidence was there to support the assertions upon which my own religious faith rested? What about the various arguments, claims, and phenomena that I couldn't fully explain or reconcile with my own religious beliefs?

I grappled with these and related questions for several weeks, even months, early on in my career as a professor. I came to a deeper appreciation for the fact that the tangible proof for many of my religious views was not terribly compelling by strictly scientific evidentiary standards. I found myself confronted with a somewhat unsettling personal faith crisis. I realized that science, logic, and reasoning would never be sufficient to either definitively topple or support my religious faith. I realized the only conclusive evidence of God’s existence would need to come from God Himself. I was at a crossroads. I could either live perpetually in a state of uncertainty and doubt, or I could commit myself to following God and trust that He would eventually provide me with the clarity and assurance I was seeking. Compelled by a strong desire to know one way or the other, I chose the latter path. I committed to go all in on my faith and to follow it the best I could. If I were wrong, then I figured in the end I would be no worse off for having chosen faith. 

For several weeks, I continued to think hard about these questions, but also to follow diligently the precepts of the church and to maintain my own private practice of daily devotion (prayer and scripture study), weekly church attendance, and active service in the church. And for several weeks, I felt mentally and emotionally in more or less the same state, without a perceptible resolution of my uncertainty of faith. 

Throughout that process, I never did experience a sudden miraculous manifestation from heaven. But eventually, I realized something had changed. One day, as I reflected on this journey I had been on, I realized that I had an improved perspective on the questions I had been working through. I could see how my efforts to follow God were pushing me to become a better person. I could relate better to what the scriptures taught; their teachings made sense to me. I no longer felt uncertainty about God's existence; rather, I could feel His love. The entire process was a bit like climbing a tall mountain slowly--each step seemed to have a negligible effect on my progress, but after a while I was able to look back and appreciate that I could see things more clearly that I couldn't see before. My doubts were replaced with clarity and a comforting assurance that my faith was grounded in truth.

I'll always value the role of science and academia in my life. I love a good argument; I enjoy reading a good research article. But when it comes to learning the things that I believe matter most--coming to know God and discovering a deeper meaning and purpose in our lives--my experience is that science and academia alone are insufficient tools for the job. My experience is that exercising faith by personally trying to follow God provides a more direct and convincing assurance of His existence than can any strictly academic inquiry. There are still many academic questions relating to religion that I can't fully answer. But for me, this assurance of God's existence and plan for me has led to a fulfillment and purpose that have been well worth the effort.

So, what's it like to actively participate in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? I think it can be an incredible experience. It has been for me. Like most affiliations in life, however, I would say you get out of it what you put into it.

We're a very family-focused and service-oriented church community. I have had innumerable opportunities to engage in meaningful community service projects organized by fellow members of my congregation. I can't begin to count the number of yards I've helped clean up, the number of people I have helped move, or the number of other service projects with which I've assisted. We have worked together on relief efforts after hurricanes, tornados, floods, and other natural disasters. We've volunteered in nursing homes, put together humanitarian aid kits, assembled back-to-school packages for underprivileged youth, and helped in a local not-for-profit gardens that provides vegetables to a foodbank. We look after each other and help each other when in need. These opportunities to serve, along with many others, arise many times each year. I always leave these projects with a great feeling; I've helped someone else, I've bonded with friends in my religious community, and as often as not, I've been able to bring my kids along to enjoy the benefits of service with me. 

Our church services are two hours long each Sunday. The first hour is our primary worship service where we take the sacrament (communion) and listen to talks focused on Jesus Christ. The second hour we break out into separate classes for adults and youth for additional religious instruction. These Sunday meetings provide opportunities to learn from each other, support each other, and strengthen our connection. All talks and lessons are given by members of the congregation, meaning everyone gets a chance to be involved. The youth get together one school night per week for additional activities, which may include games, social events, and sometimes additional service for others.

I feel at church that I am surrounded by some of the best people I know. None of us are perfect, but it's a wonderful community of people trying hard to follow God. There is a spirit of friendship and kindness there. I consider myself very fortunate to be a member. If you are interested in learning how to attend a congregation near you, click [here].