Firstly thank you for answering my question the other day – it certainly has taken a lot off my mind. I have looked up my nearest chapel and was suprised to find that there was one three blocks away from my place of work and that every day I have walked past it on my way to and from home. I plan to arrange a Sunday visit in the coming month 😀 My question for you today is that I sometimes can’t help but let my rational side take over and I am finding that it is making my spiritual side pretty much run into a brick wall. What tips do yo have to help me balance my spiritual needs with all of todays modern thoughts?
7 Responses to “Firstly thank you for answering my question the other day – …”
Pedro Silva
2011-09-05 02:45:36
Hi Nathan. It's a pleasure to answer such thoughtful questions. I'm delighted to learn that there's a chapel so close to an area you know well. That should make visiting all the easier!
The question you ask is one that practitioners of all religions face. As a scientist myself, I can definitely appreciate the competition that sometimes exists between the natural demand for "evidence" and the delicate nurturing required for spiritual development. However, faith based on reason/evidence alone is superficial and powerless. The problems with relying exclusively on "evidence" and "reason" are many:
1) Evidence is constantly shifting. Discoveries made tomorrow may strengthen or weaken evidence. Faith should be built on a more stable foundation.
2) While I find most of their arguments to be poorly researched and/or logically fallacious, anti-Mormons also present "evidence" aimed at tearing down faith. Consequently, if we accept as true the faulty assumption that all evidence is equally valid, evidence alone cannot help us distinguish with certainty whether or not the truth claims of the "Mormon Church" are correct. Faith and knowledge through personal revelation from God can.
3) True faith is founded on trust in God. Why doesn't God just part the clouds and reveal Himself explicitly? Because He wants us to trust Him. He wants us to follow and obey Him even when we are not in His immediate presence, even if there should be a complete lack of evidence, though that is not the case. Faith based on trust in God is the kind of faith that is sufficiently powerful to save. To edify a house of faith on evidence alone is to build on a sandy foundation.
It takes a lot of humility and, frankly, objectivity, to realize that human beings, even the smartest of us, are in fact largely ignorant of the Universe around us. Science and reason, while certainly useful, let us explore only the smallest sliver of our own reality. It shouldn't surprise us if what we learn spiritually and what we learn through reason do not always coincide perfectly, given that our understanding of both is so incomplete. Sometimes we have to have the maturity to put these conflicts on a shelf for a time, hoping for greater insight in the future.
The good news is that, in my experience, the conflicts between Mormon doctrine and reason/science are quite rare. Mormon theology believes in accepting truth no matter what it's source, whether it be through revelation or reason/science. In fact, our Church has a long history of using science and technology to advance it's cause, and there are a number of prominent Mormon scientists, as well as legions of Mormon scientists like myself who are not so famous. :) Hope this answer helps!
Shelly
2011-08-31 17:16:42
I consider "rational" thinking to be a great virtue. I strive to face every aspect of my life in a rational-minded and practical way. I also see everything in my world from the perspective that all comes from my loving Heavenly Father. In every problem situation, I formulate a plan to help me through, and that plan begins with earnest prayer to seek the Lord's will for me... I know that all will be well as long as I am doing what He wants me to do. No other church offers as much clarity on the purposes of our life here on Earth than the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The miracles of science beautifully confirm the reality of God's existence and of His plan for us. Try looking at life through the lens of faith--believing that all of your life's experiences have been put there to help shape you and direct you by your loving Father--and you will see that rational thinking and spirituality do not conflict at all. You just have to learn to listen to the Lord by feeling the promptings of the Spirit. Our Savior is the sensible and sure rock to build our lives upon.
Jeff
2011-08-31 19:52:33
Nathan,
One great thing about the gospel of Jesus Christ is that it encompasses everything. It's not just the "God lives" and "the Church is true"–type answers; it's also the "2+2=4" and "the Earth revolves around the Sun"–type answers. It's not just the "thou shalt not kill" and "go to Church each Sunday"–type commandments; it's also the "read great works of literature" and "be physically fit"–type commandments. In short, it covers everything, so don't worry about being a rational individual; I'm the same way, and I'd never want to be otherwise.
That having been said, there are definitely some things that have more of a spiritual component than others. While Christianity does not require us to discount our rational understanding, it does require us to also develop our spiritual understanding. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to do this. Spiritual skills are like any other skill: you can't develop them without practice.
So how do we practice spirituality? We do spiritual things. You hear these answers in Church, a lot: pray; read the scriptures; go to Church; etc.. As you continue to do these things, they'll become easier to you. For example, regular prayer helps us become better at recognizing and understanding the answers that God so desperately wants to give us—not because the act of recognition itself becomes easier, but because our ability to do it has increased.
Keep that rationality, Nathan; just work on adding more skills to it. I promise you won't be sorry!
Art Sherwood
2011-08-31 23:19:58
One thing we always need to remember is that although every human being thinks he is rational and smart, none of us really are. There is sooooo much that we don't know and can't even begin to comprehend... Yet. That doesn't mean we shouldn't use our "rational side", however. God gave us the ability to reason for a reason.
I like to call it the balance between the head and the heart. When used together, the head and the heart are powerful tools for learning truth.
When faced with a new idea or concept, after pondering it and thinking it over, I ask myself "Does it make sense?" (the head) and "How do I feel about it?" (the heart).
If it seems to make sense to me and I feel like I understand it, and my heart or gut tells me it feels right, then I can be confident that it is a correct principle.
If it makes sense intellectually but it just doesn't feel right, I can assume that I don't quite understand it yet and need to study some more.
If it doesn't make sense but my heart and gut tell me that it's right, I can accept that it is probably true and that I just can't get my head around it yet, and that's OK.
If it doesn't make sense to me and my heart and gut are throwing up red flags, I can safely discard it as false.
Hope that helps.
Richard
2011-09-01 02:02:11
James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God"
There ARE many voices out there and knowing with one to listen to is part of the challenge of mortality.
Personally I have found that setting my mind to studying good literature, or learning a trade has helped me balance what comes into my mind. Beyond that I knowing that the Book of Mormon is an excellent spiritual guide, I make sure to read from it daily (at least a little).
There is nothing wrong with seeking a worthy vocation and spending your time on wholesome recreational activities. Just try to find a balance on work, social, secular knowledge obtaining, and personal study time.
Council with the Lord in all they doings and He will direct your path for good. Find ane participate in service projects close to your home. They are well worth the time spent. IE go visit an old folks home, or join a big brother big sister organization, etc.
Good luck, I can feel you are on the correct path. One step at a time in the right direction with our Lord and God. :D
Sheila
2011-08-31 15:38:04
When your struggling, take the time to Pray.
John Jeremiah Conroy
2011-09-04 18:11:58
The apostle paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 2:14 that the natural man recieveth not the things of the spirit of God. The natural rational carnal mind only looks to the things intellectually by sight. The balance is to ask God for wisdom and understanding and rely on the Holy Ghost. Use our brain that God has given us to use and rely on the Holy Ghost to reveal truth to our mind. The word of God, prayer study and the power of God is balance. The spirit of God quickens our mind to understanding.
The question you ask is one that practitioners of all religions face. As a scientist myself, I can definitely appreciate the competition that sometimes exists between the natural demand for "evidence" and the delicate nurturing required for spiritual development. However, faith based on reason/evidence alone is superficial and powerless. The problems with relying exclusively on "evidence" and "reason" are many:
1) Evidence is constantly shifting. Discoveries made tomorrow may strengthen or weaken evidence. Faith should be built on a more stable foundation.
2) While I find most of their arguments to be poorly researched and/or logically fallacious, anti-Mormons also present "evidence" aimed at tearing down faith. Consequently, if we accept as true the faulty assumption that all evidence is equally valid, evidence alone cannot help us distinguish with certainty whether or not the truth claims of the "Mormon Church" are correct. Faith and knowledge through personal revelation from God can.
3) True faith is founded on trust in God. Why doesn't God just part the clouds and reveal Himself explicitly? Because He wants us to trust Him. He wants us to follow and obey Him even when we are not in His immediate presence, even if there should be a complete lack of evidence, though that is not the case. Faith based on trust in God is the kind of faith that is sufficiently powerful to save. To edify a house of faith on evidence alone is to build on a sandy foundation.
It takes a lot of humility and, frankly, objectivity, to realize that human beings, even the smartest of us, are in fact largely ignorant of the Universe around us. Science and reason, while certainly useful, let us explore only the smallest sliver of our own reality. It shouldn't surprise us if what we learn spiritually and what we learn through reason do not always coincide perfectly, given that our understanding of both is so incomplete. Sometimes we have to have the maturity to put these conflicts on a shelf for a time, hoping for greater insight in the future.
The good news is that, in my experience, the conflicts between Mormon doctrine and reason/science are quite rare. Mormon theology believes in accepting truth no matter what it's source, whether it be through revelation or reason/science. In fact, our Church has a long history of using science and technology to advance it's cause, and there are a number of prominent Mormon scientists, as well as legions of Mormon scientists like myself who are not so famous. :) Hope this answer helps!
One great thing about the gospel of Jesus Christ is that it encompasses everything. It's not just the "God lives" and "the Church is true"–type answers; it's also the "2+2=4" and "the Earth revolves around the Sun"–type answers. It's not just the "thou shalt not kill" and "go to Church each Sunday"–type commandments; it's also the "read great works of literature" and "be physically fit"–type commandments. In short, it covers everything, so don't worry about being a rational individual; I'm the same way, and I'd never want to be otherwise.
That having been said, there are definitely some things that have more of a spiritual component than others. While Christianity does not require us to discount our rational understanding, it does require us to also develop our spiritual understanding. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to do this. Spiritual skills are like any other skill: you can't develop them without practice.
So how do we practice spirituality? We do spiritual things. You hear these answers in Church, a lot: pray; read the scriptures; go to Church; etc.. As you continue to do these things, they'll become easier to you. For example, regular prayer helps us become better at recognizing and understanding the answers that God so desperately wants to give us—not because the act of recognition itself becomes easier, but because our ability to do it has increased.
Keep that rationality, Nathan; just work on adding more skills to it. I promise you won't be sorry!
I like to call it the balance between the head and the heart. When used together, the head and the heart are powerful tools for learning truth.
When faced with a new idea or concept, after pondering it and thinking it over, I ask myself "Does it make sense?" (the head) and "How do I feel about it?" (the heart).
If it seems to make sense to me and I feel like I understand it, and my heart or gut tells me it feels right, then I can be confident that it is a correct principle.
If it makes sense intellectually but it just doesn't feel right, I can assume that I don't quite understand it yet and need to study some more.
If it doesn't make sense but my heart and gut tell me that it's right, I can accept that it is probably true and that I just can't get my head around it yet, and that's OK.
If it doesn't make sense to me and my heart and gut are throwing up red flags, I can safely discard it as false.
Hope that helps.
There ARE many voices out there and knowing with one to listen to is part of the challenge of mortality.
Personally I have found that setting my mind to studying good literature, or learning a trade has helped me balance what comes into my mind. Beyond that I knowing that the Book of Mormon is an excellent spiritual guide, I make sure to read from it daily (at least a little).
There is nothing wrong with seeking a worthy vocation and spending your time on wholesome recreational activities. Just try to find a balance on work, social, secular knowledge obtaining, and personal study time.
Council with the Lord in all they doings and He will direct your path for good. Find ane participate in service projects close to your home. They are well worth the time spent. IE go visit an old folks home, or join a big brother big sister organization, etc.
Good luck, I can feel you are on the correct path. One step at a time in the right direction with our Lord and God. :D