100% Part Two

I have a few more things I want to say about religion.  I mentioned in my previous post that life is 100% about religion.  I want to expand on that.

I don't know who said it but there's a familiar adage that says we are spiritual beings having a mortal experience not mortal beings having a spiritual experience.  That thought couldn't be truer.  Mortality is but a drop in the ocean compared to eternity.  Before we embarked on this mortal journey we are now all experiencing, we lived as spirits with our Heavenly Father for a long time!  Our Heavenly Father gave us this mortal experience so that we could learn and grow and become more like Him.  That is why we are here.  It is part of our Heavenly Father's great plan of happiness, or plan of salvation.  Therefore, life is 100% about religion.

Granted, there are bad religions that teach bad things.  And there are good religions that teach good things.  Most religions teach some form of morality and accountability.  Most Judeo-Christian religions use the Bible as the basis of their doctrinal teachings.  But there is only one true religion-- or in other words one true and living church upon the face of the earth -- and that is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (See Doctrine and Covenants 1:30)

Some people may call that claim arrogant, but it is the truth.  So if you think truth is arrogance that's your prerogative.  But nevertheless, truth is truth.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is perfect.  Its doctrines are perfect.  Jesus Christ, whose church it is, is perfect.  The members of The Church -- including its leaders -- on the other hand, are not perfect. The members of The Church -- including its leaders -- are on the same journey through mortality that we all face.  We all have trials, we all make mistakes, we have all been given a physical body and must learn to control its appetites and deal with pains and physical limitations and sorrows. That's where a lot of people get confused.  They equate fallible members/leaders with the infallible Church/religion.

True religion, pure and undefiled is always good.  True religion, when practiced, brings peace and happiness into the lives of those who live it.  True religion helps us to navigate through this challenging maze of mortality.

In the New Testament, the apostle James said this about religion: "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,and to keep himself unspotted from the world." -- James 1:27

To me that means to serve your fellow man and to keep the commandments.  It's not complicated.

I know people whose entire life is focused on sports -- whether it be playing or watching their favorite team, money and the acquisition of material things, or perhaps music or their favorite band, singer, actor or celebrity.  The list could go on and on but my point is, in the eternal scheme of things, none of those things matter one iota.

Granted, hobbies or other leisure activities can be part of a well-balanced life and provide excitement and entertainment.  But on judgment day, the Lord is not going to care whether your team won the Super Bowl or World Series or whether you were a rock star or had a Lamborghini.

But He will certainly care about whether you used your talents and blessings to serve others and help your fellow man along his mortal journey.  He will certainly care about how hard you tried to follow His commandments.  And He will most certainly care whether you made and kept your covenants with Him. And whether you received the necessary ordinances to enter His Kingdom.

 Yes, life is 100% about religion.  If yours isn't, I feel sad for you and I hope you get your life in order before Judgment Day.

That's my two cents.