Great article. It helps articulate what I’ve been thinking. Ever since my children left the church, and one of them came out as gay, I have stopped worrying about who will get to be where in the afterlife. Worrying about not being all together in eternity was driving me crazy. I’m leaving it in His hands. We know so little. All I can do is follow Christ and trust in Heavenly Father.
Amen Laura! I have come to similar conclusions with my own complicated relationships. I appreciate you sharing your experiences.
It has brought me peace to let go of those worries. Honestly probably since my late teens I’ve been a bit bothered by our overfocus on all these esoteric details of the restored gospel (What is transfiguration? What distinguishes each degree of glory? Etc) when I felt some of my friends from other faiths were so much more centered on Christ and how to seek Him.
I have tried to just be discerning about which doctrines, verses, and practices make my heart feel softer and more motivated to seek connection with our Heavenly Parents and our Redeemer, and which feel a bit dry and overly intellectual (second coming is high on my list, Darci ;)
Thx Tyler! I also see some people consumed with the Second Coming and preparing for the future whilst not fully embracing the present or obsessing about temple work for their dead ancestors whilst neglecting living relatives. Addictions/obsessions come in many forms. Seize the mortal day and be present to your life!
After my experience of being "reborn" and forgiven almost ten years ago...rather late in life...I have come to realize that what matters is Now. And to live or to worry about either the past or the future, which I cannot change or control, is just a source of regret or anxiety.
Jesus taught us to live in the present. One of my issues with all of Christianity, including our faith tradition as Latter-day Saints, is our worry about the future, especially if we're ignoring the present.
Ultimately, as we see in the parable of the laborers, we will not receive what we deserve, and we can never earn our way into any kingdom. Only Grace can save us, and daily partnership with the Savior...taking His yoke upon us...will exalt us. Grace to Grace. Live today. Do our best. Live an outward life...serve and love those around us.
Quit worrying about the future. I've come to know that the gospel is much simpler than we make it.
Great article. It helps articulate what I’ve been thinking. Ever since my children left the church, and one of them came out as gay, I have stopped worrying about who will get to be where in the afterlife. Worrying about not being all together in eternity was driving me crazy. I’m leaving it in His hands. We know so little. All I can do is follow Christ and trust in Heavenly Father.
Amen Laura! I have come to similar conclusions with my own complicated relationships. I appreciate you sharing your experiences.
It has brought me peace to let go of those worries. Honestly probably since my late teens I’ve been a bit bothered by our overfocus on all these esoteric details of the restored gospel (What is transfiguration? What distinguishes each degree of glory? Etc) when I felt some of my friends from other faiths were so much more centered on Christ and how to seek Him.
I have tried to just be discerning about which doctrines, verses, and practices make my heart feel softer and more motivated to seek connection with our Heavenly Parents and our Redeemer, and which feel a bit dry and overly intellectual (second coming is high on my list, Darci ;)
Thx Tyler! I also see some people consumed with the Second Coming and preparing for the future whilst not fully embracing the present or obsessing about temple work for their dead ancestors whilst neglecting living relatives. Addictions/obsessions come in many forms. Seize the mortal day and be present to your life!
Thanks Tyler...great essay.
After my experience of being "reborn" and forgiven almost ten years ago...rather late in life...I have come to realize that what matters is Now. And to live or to worry about either the past or the future, which I cannot change or control, is just a source of regret or anxiety.
Jesus taught us to live in the present. One of my issues with all of Christianity, including our faith tradition as Latter-day Saints, is our worry about the future, especially if we're ignoring the present.
Ultimately, as we see in the parable of the laborers, we will not receive what we deserve, and we can never earn our way into any kingdom. Only Grace can save us, and daily partnership with the Savior...taking His yoke upon us...will exalt us. Grace to Grace. Live today. Do our best. Live an outward life...serve and love those around us.
Quit worrying about the future. I've come to know that the gospel is much simpler than we make it.
Thank you again...
A thoughtful and much needed essay. Wish we heard more sermons like this in church.
I've had similar thoughts but haven't been able to articulate it. You've done an excellent job here! Thank you!