Remember

I was thinking today how important it is to remember things...religious things. I really doubt that anyone really has intentions of committing grave sins when they commit them. Sure there are premeditated situations where someone wants to hurt another or themselves or whatever. I would think, however, that most sins are committed after a life has been let drift and the tides have carried it towards a reef and proceed to smash it to bits on the rocks. Neglect being the catalyst there.

I also thought a lot about how important it is to remember the sacrifices of others. I think a lot about the pioneers and what they went through. I think past the cliche stories and pictures that have been fed to me since primary. I really think about them. I try to see their faces. When Tricia and I drove up to her parents' cabin this weekend we drove through much of eastern Utah. I imagned a handcart company coming out of the trees right in front of us. What would they have looked like? What expressions would they have worn? What stories would they have told about what happened to them back east to make them take this trip. And most importantly...what would their testimonies be like of the gospel. I would daresay that there wouldn't be many "gospel lolligaggers" among them. If you believe it...you go. If you don't...you don't.

There is a difference in my life right now. It isn't outward and visible. It isn't overpowering in its existence. It is a small change in the background that makes a profound difference in how I see things. Its not a cure-all. It isn't an elixir. It isn't anything of note to anyone but me. I just...well...feel different about things. I have more hope. I have more joy. I have a distinct drive to improve and to seek out what is "virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy."

There will always be unanswered questions. There will always be doubts. There will always be seemingly unresolvable paradoxes. The important questions to any human would be:

1. Is there a God?
2. Does this God know me?
3. What does God want of me?
4. How does God speak to us?
5. How will I know His voice?

Any human being...regardless of their situation, has a need to try and answer these questions. If there is a God...it is the most important thing a person could do to try and come to know this God. That is one of the most carnal and primitive urges I think a person could have. Just take a second and think about life. Why are we here?!? Really think about that. Step out of your common ways of thinking about religion and think about life. How can you explain everything? Man, if there is a God, and afterlife, a meaning to life, a goal, divine blessings...and I don't even try to figure it all out...

Its interesting when science comes in contact with religion. Often people try to disprove religion with science and vice versa. For the layman, like myself, its a matter of faith. Look, I didn't do the research that so-and-so smartypants is quoting. I wasn't in the lab. I wasn't on the archeological dig. I wasn't the one who did the carbon dating. I didn't see the star in the telescope. I didn't cound the rings in that tree trunk. I didn't trace the evolutionary tree. I didn't translate that ancient document. So I am having to have faith in that scientist...BECAUSE I SURE DIDN'T DO THE RESEARCH! This faith is just like faith in God. So the ultimate question woudl be: faith in God or man? It seems that "disproving" the existence of God would require an infinite assessment of physics, mathematics, chemistry, history, philosophy, biology etc. etc.

It seems that very existence of God cannot be dismissed with the naive statement, "Well, I haven't seen Him." It is so much more vast than that.

I suppose there is great irony in the fact that the monumental, infinite powers of the universe...the great secrets of our origins...the sweeping influence of the most powerful Being in the universe would be manifested by the small, still, subtle voice of the Spirit. How am I going to stay tuned into that Spirit over the deafening roar of the world?