Who is God?

God

  (noun.) the one Supreme Being, the creator and ruler of the universe. (www.dictionary.com)

...that's a little broad, isn't it?

What is "God?" This is a thought that puzzles, troubles, and at times irritates the human mind. As a species of the attitude "gotta see it to believe it," it is unsurprising that so many in the world today dispute or deny the existence of such a being. However, it is an inarguable fact that from the beginning of time mankind has been intrigued by the idea of one (or many) omnipotent being(s) which twist and turn the universe according to their whim and desire. For example, the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations justified every occurrence in the natural world as the act of the "gods." Then there have been those to believe that "god" is actually a "supreme spirit," intangible and merely emanating around us here in the earth. And still there are some who do not believe in any kind of deity, and turn to science for the answers as to how they came into existence.

The other night, I was driving with my companion down a street full of traffic. We were late to a lesson, and I had impatient thoughts running through my head. I almost opened my mouth to complain that the sun was too bright to see, when my eyes adjusted and I saw one of the most spectacular sunsets I have ever seen. The colors were bright and had that classic Arizona-orange-tint, and I'll admit I had a longing to park on the side of the road, forget about the lesson, and just watch the sun go down and display it's beautiful colors. It was so beautiful! It made me want to paint! (I don't paint.) In this moment I felt, softly but surely, that God exists. 

In The Book of Mormon, the prophet, Alma, says:

"...all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." (Alma 30:44). 

My experience the other night was not the first (nor I'm sure the last) time I have felt that God exists just by looking at nature. I've looked up at the stars late at night and felt deep impressions that someone put them there, and that someone was looking back down at me. I've walked on sandy beaches and seen the beautiful blue waves crashing out in the distance and felt the desire to know Him better. 

I have come to know that GOD is our HEAVENLY FATHER. He is not just some spirit that moves around us. He is actively engaged in our lives. I've felt it as I've knelt down to pray. When I've needed comfort, it has always been there. To be clear, I do not believe in coincidences. I never have. It is not a coincidence that I have always received the strength necessary to move on in even the most difficult times when I have knelt to pray for it. 

Like my father here on earth, He loves me unconditionally. He wants my happiness. He wants all of us to be happy here! 

But HOW CAN WE DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM?

It's not a complicated answer. Think about your parents here on the earth. If you come home every day and go straight to your room to text your friends or sit on Facebook, and you only come out to eat or to leave the house, will you ever develop a relationship with your parents? Think about how your parents would feel--perhaps under-appreciated, but I'd imagine they'd feel more sadness than anything. They love you. They want to know your struggles. They want to hear from you. They want to help and guide you. 

It is the same with our Father in Heaven. WE MUST MAKE AN EFFORT. First of all...BELIEVE. Believe He is there. This is harder for some people than for others, but if you really want to know if God exists, take a leap of faith and believe (or at least hope) that He is there and that He loves you and knows you. Read the scriptures. Talk to Him in prayer! Pray to Him sincerely, as if speaking with your earthly father, about the struggles you are facing. Thank Him for blessings such as family, employment, housing, opportunities, etc. (Parents like to be thanked.) Then trust Him. Live in a way that would make Him proud. Allow Him to guide you. I promise that you will know FOR YOURSELF if God exists if you do these things. 

To each it is his or her own responsibility to determine if they believe that God exists. As for me, I bear my testimony that He exists. I've felt it so strongly. I know that He is my Father, He has a plan for me, and He loves me unconditionally. I may fall a thousand times, but He wants me to stand back up, learn from my mistakes, and keep pushing forward. I know He wants the same for each of you.

for more, visit www.mormon.org

Surety of Hope

Why am I a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

My name is McKenna Leigh Thomas. I'm 20 years young and the oldest of three girls. I grew up in New Canaan, Connecticut, but finished my high school years in Springville, Utah. A year ago, I completed my first year of college at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where I studied music, literature, and completed a few generals. I love to sing (specifically musical theater.) I love to write (specifically fiction.) I love to have a project and I love to be with friends and family.

So why did I leave all that behind for a year and a half to be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? That's a really great question. 

I was born into a Latter-day Saint family, with two loving parents who taught me to believe and have faith in God. I learned that God is actually my Heavenly Father. My parents helped me learn how to recognize manifestations of God's love for me, how to pray, how to stand for something. Life was not without its disappointments, but I grew up in an environment of family love and high moral standards, which provided a strength to me and helped to shape the person I was becoming. 

I'm sure that most of you are familiar with the "Mormon missionaries." They bike around in suits and ties and knock on your door--rain or shine. Maybe you've asked yourself "why?" Admittedly, the outward appearance of missionary work doesn't look too appealing. Biking around in the blistering heat, knocking on doors with snow up to your knees, getting doors shut in your face, etc. Those were never activities that I usually jumped out of my seat for. 

I never thought I'd be a missionary. And it wasn't for lack of a testimony--I have always known in my heart that Jesus Christ is my Savior, and that this is His church. It wasn't for fear, either--many a time had I held my ground when even the dearest of friends asked me to compromise. No, it just...had never been in my plans.

I'd like to share a scripture that changed my perspective, however...and, consequently, my life. It is found in the book of "Ether" in The Book of Mormon. (I will explain more about The Book of Mormon on a later date.) It reads as follows:

"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." (Ether 12:4, "The Book of Mormon").

This verse of scripture had such a profound impact on me. The part that really hit me is the promise found in the first few words: 

"whoso believeth in God might 

with surety hope for a 

better world"

...a better world. Isn't the world scary sometimes? It is difficult for me, born in 1994 (still a little fresh to the world, right?) to imagine a time where things like pornography, drug abuse, murder, theft, domestic violence, etc weren't as common occurrences as waking up in the morning, or weren't as easily accessible as turning on a television or opening a page on the internet. To quote a church authority, Dallin H. Oaks, "Evil that used to be localized and covered like a boil is now legalized and paraded like a banner." (Dallin H. Oaks, "Preparation for the Second Coming", LDS General Conference; April 2004).

In these times of tumult, each and every one of us needs something to tie ourselves to. We can each choose what our "anchor" will be. There are many options, such as money, fame, fitting-in, pleasure, greed, a new car, a job, a website...you name it. You can tie yourself to pretty much anything.

But not everything is designed to keep you down or safe when the winds pick up. In fact, I only know of one sure anchor that, if we tie ourselves to, we will never be lost--it is Jesus Christ.

I have never faced a problem that I could not solve with Him. I have never felt a burden that was not made lighter by Him. I have never found more joy in life than when I am walking in stride with Him. 

So...WHY? 

Why am I a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

It all comes down to something even more basic: Why am I a MEMBER of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? 

It is because I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that He is my Savior. I know that He is the Son of God. I know that He loves me and knows me individually. I have seen His hand in my life. I have seen small but sure miracles in my life that He has given me. I have prayed to know for myself, and I have received my confirmation. 

THAT is my hope for a better world! Through Jesus Christ, all can be healed. We are never too far down one road that we cannot turn around and make our way home...because He knows the way! He's been down every road! He knows us and our challenges, and He is pleading for us and guiding us if we only reach out and ask for His help.

THAT is why I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and THAT is why I am a missionary.

Missionary work is not easy. It is the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life. But it is interesting that, in this time that I have spent serving those around me in the name of Christ and helping them come to know His gospel, I have experienced the most personal growth and received the most blessings than ever before.

The purpose of this blog conforms with my missionary purpose: 

"Invite others to come unto Christ." 

I hope that you will come to feel the love that Christ has for you as an individual. I hope you will come to feel of your divine purpose in this life, the loving plan that God has designed for your happiness, and His peace that He offers each of us. 

I love you all. I'm sure I don't know all of you personally, but I want you to know that I am sure that God lives. He is our Father. His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Redeemer. Because of Him, death is not the end. Families can be forever. We can be forgiven. We can "with surety hope for a better world."

for more, visit www.mormon.org