Letter to my wonderful english teacher, part 2

After my experience, God was everything to me. Not so say that I did everything perfect, but that He was The Rock that I built my life upon. He was the star that I steered my heart and actions towards. I tried to always do those things that would please Him. Whenever, I would make a mistake or get off course, I would always seek to direct my life back towards my God—making constant corrections along the way, but always trying to direct my life towards Him so that I would be able to feel His Holy Spirit again, and live my life in a way that would Glorify my Father in Heaven.

I think that the best way for me to explain the next point I would like to make is by introducing an analogy of “faith”  as a structure composed of many bricks—each representing a belief, idea or doctrine. Christ is the Chief Cornerstone; the Main Piece of the Foundation of my faith. I had known about Jesus my whole life—I had heard all of the stories many times and had all of the lessons in church. Throughout my childhood years, I had constructed a large structure or “temple” of my beliefs in my mind. It was composed of doctrines, descriptions and stories woven together by the writings of prophets from thousands of years ago, to ones who live and speak today.

Now that I knew that God was real, I just assumed that all of the other stones in my structure of faith were all correct as well. I didn’t spend a whole lot of time evaluating it, I just assumed it was all good and right. I identified myself a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. I planned to serve a mission and teach people about God so that they could experience Him for themselves and know that He was real and that they were loved by their Almighty Creator. I wanted to tell them about things that God had done anciently and also about things that He was doing in the world today.

…But right there is where someone stopped me dead in my tracks....

What was God doing in the world *today*?

This last question had been one that I had taken for granted. At least I did until I was seventeen years old and working as a skiffman with a crew of strangers in Alaska. One day, one of the crew members, whose name was Randy, identified himself as a Zen Buddhist. I had told him that I believed in Jesus Christ and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and that I knew that it was true-- and he told me I knew no such thing.

He told me that I had not even considered the possibility that it could not be true. He told me that I believed in Jesus and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ because of who my parents were and also due to the part of the world that I lived in. He told me that if I had been born somewhere else, that I might have been a devout Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu or whatever other prominent religion there was in that area. I didn’t argue with him, but I didn’t necessarily agree with him either.

I was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. I thought that this was the one true Church and I never seriously questioned this before… until now on a boat separated from my family among a crew of strangers.

What if the Protestants were the body of Christ? What if the Catholics were? What if it was some other religion like the Buddhists, Muslims or Hindus? If my church was the true church, would I be in the wrong church if I had been born in India or Africa? I knew that God was real—for reason I related in my previous message. I knew that He was omniscient, omnipotent, and full of love and compassion beyond all else. But isn’t that essentially what the other religions believed as well? Had I actually had an experience that distinguished me from a Muslim boy who had prayed to Allah, a Buddhist who meditated on Brahma achieving nirvana or enlightenment, or a Hindu boy who prayed to Vishnu? When I really thought about it, it seemed to me that God was above any name--surely my experience led me to understand that “God” was so much more than a sound I made with my mouth. Whether the Creator was God, Jesus, Jehovah, Yahweh, Allah, Elohim, Brahma, Vishnu, Krishna, Christ or Christo was certainly not what “defined” God. God was so much more than any and all of what these sounds could possibly mean. He was also so much more than the stories each of these religions told about Him (and I have read these stories, from the Quran, to the Dhammapada, to the Bhagavad Gita and the Mahabharata—and many, many more).

Surely God was not limited “by or to” any of these names, but surely He encompassed all of them. Each of these names represented the basic idea of an Omnipotent, Omniscient, Benevolent Creator. A door is still a door by its function, not by what it is called—even if I called it a “porte” or an “ala-ka-zam”. It was still door whether I painted it white or grey or pink or if someone put graffiti all over it. It was still a door even if someone took off the handle and never used it.

Many times I thought on the scriptures which say:

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

So, was I doing the right thing as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ? Was I doing the work that God wanted me to do? Was it enough to believe in God the “right way” and have the “right name”? Was I in the “right church?”. Was I doing the will of my Father in Heaven?

The fishing season would at times close for a few days. And during these periods, I would have considerable amounts of time for thinking and reflection. What if my church was not Gods church? The question scared me. What if it wasn’t? Would I be able to leave it all behind and join some other religion? My family would be devastated. My plans for my future would be disrupted. I prayed and prayed. I started writing my thoughts in notepads, evaluating all that I had experienced and believed. The whole process was terrifying. I felt as though I was lifting the entire structure of my faith over my head while the many bricks may come crashing down at any moment, and all of those doctrines and stories may turn out to be false. Would I be willing to convert to Protestantism? Catholicism? Islam? Buddhism? Hinduism? Would I be willing to do it if God had directed me to it?

I knelt and poured my heart out to God. While on my knees, my whole frame felt weak as I promised my Father in Heaven that I would do it—whatever He asked of me, I would do. If he would tell me the truth, I would follow it. I would leave my religion if He wished it of me and I would join another. In the most solemn manner, I promised my God that I would do it if it was His will. I begged Him for direction in my life. Which church was His church? Which religion was the correct religion? No answer came that night. The next night, I prayed again and again. I prayed out by the totem pole near the docks in Sitka and I got no answer. I prayed in my bunk on the boat and I got no answer. I prayed at the galley table and I got no answer. Many times and many places, I prayed again and again—fervently, and with intention to act, committing and submitting myself to the will of my God.

Then one day I found myself on my skiff by myself out in the water beside an incredible rockface that shot out of the salty waves like a statue. The scene was serenely beautiful; enough to feel sacred in its own way, and I was completely alone. As I stood on the deck of the boat, I felt inspired by the Spirit that I should pray to ask God what I should do in regards to my association to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Speaking out loud, I bowed my head and addressed my Father in Heaven once again. I only got out a few words when suddenly, as it had three years ago, something absolutely remarkable occurred. Though not visible, it was as if light or a gust of powerful wind came from above and engulfed my entire being. It was every bit the experience I had three years previously, but even moreso-- and again, beyond description in every way. My awareness of Gods power was so overwhelming, in that instant, I knew that if God had commanded me to dry up the sea, or to move a mountain, or walk on water, it would have happened instantly according to His will. The assurance of God was more real and confirming than anything else I could imagine. I was filled with the sensation of light and inexpressible love, power, and awareness of God as an actual Being with characteristics-- just as I had three years earlier. But this time something very unexpected happened… while being filled with the Spirit of God, I was then prompted to open my mouth as if I was to speak—this seemed like a strange prompting because I didn’t have any words to say as the overwhelming nature of the experience rendered me feeling completely speechless.

Regardless of not having any words, I did as I was prompted and opened my mouth. Instantly it was filled with words that poured from me in an unbroken stream and in perfect clarity. The words began with-- “Thus saith the Lord God…” As I listened to the words, I was completely astonished at what was being spoken and what was happening. I could scarcely conceive that my mouth was saying these words that I was hearing. Because they are very sacred to me, and without Gods aid, I could not possibly have the capacity to produce them again, I will not write them here or even attempt to cover the details of what was said except to say that they were a prophetic proclamation of the Divinity of Jesus Christ who would in due time return to the earth and that this same, Jesus Christ had done, was doing, and was to continue to do a work upon the earth in and through the church of Jesus Christ.

When the experienced ended, I was again alone. I didn’t tell anyone about what happened. If someone told this experience to me, I wouldn’t even know what to think. Were they lying or delusional? Did this kind of thing actually happen? And if it did—could I believe it if it were spoken to me? I have kept this experience very personal and shared it with very few. Considering it to be a pearl in my life and one not to be shared with everyone.

I went on to serve as a missionary. During this wonderful time, the love of my Savior, Jesus Christ filled me so many times and I had many, many more experiences with my God. I kept them all in a stack of journals and in my heart. 

When I was 17, I believed that God was working through the members of His Church to do His work upon the Earth. That was the way that God worked—through us. If we would let Him speak through us, then we would be his mouth. If we would let Him work through us, then we would be his hands and feet. If we would let him enlighten our minds, then He would be our Head; if we would see others as Christ saw them, then we would be His eyes; if we would hear others as Christ would hear them, then we would be His ears—The Church would be His body-- the Body Christ, with many members.

God answers fervent prayers in His own timing and God wasn’t done teaching me after this experience either. Where I was then, and where I am now are different, but along the same path. I am still a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but I don’t believe that God *only* works through this church.

I now have come to understand that the Almighty, Omniscient Creator, who is full of pure love is the common foundation in nearly all religions. It has taken me some time to learn this.

Now I know that God is no respecter of persons. An individual does not have to be a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in order to do His work—nor necessarily of any other religion. But that God works through any and all people who are willing to hear His voice and to follow Him. God will do a work through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, inasmuch as the members will be His Hands-- and He will work through any group where two or more are gathered together in His name and are willing to hear Him and do His will. It is not enough to sit in the “right church” on Sunday (or Saturday). It is not enough to hold and quote from the textbook that tells the “right stories”. It is not enough to make the “right” noise with your mouth when you say the word that you use to represent The Creator of Heaven and Earth and say “Lord, Lord”. Regardless of whatever building we sit in, or whatever book we hold, or whatever stories we tell, or whatever word we use for our Creator—we must hear His voice, which is the voice of His Spirit, and do His will-- individually. The work that God has called me through, has been through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

But, it is also my belief that God is bigger than the Church of Jesus of Latter Day Saints; Bigger than the Baptists; the Presbyterians-- than all the protestant; Bigger than the Catholics-- and even more encompassing than all of religious Christianity. Bigger than Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism-- and all religions. Yet, He can work through any member of any of religions, and so He has the capacity to work through and even manifest himself through any of them. Yet simultaneously, God is able to operate through the individual, on the smallest level. I believe that He did indeed hear and answer the prayer of Joseph Smith-- the same as he heard and answered my prayer, and the prayer of any person who will ask in faith, nothing wavering I believe that God did do a work through Joseph, and called him to organize The Church and answer the prayers and bless the lives of many many people, and to fulfill promises that He made anciently. (this link tells his story).
 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1?lang=eng
But of course this doesnt mean that Joseph was anything remotely close to a perfect person, or that He didn't make many mistakes. I believe that God hears and answers prayers-- I know this-- and I know it from personal experience. Yes, God is doing a work through the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, but this does not mean that He is not also doing a work through people of religions all over the earth.

Christ said, ye shall know them by their fruits. And I think He was talking about individuals.
I recently read the book by a man who was there with Joseph Smith in the beginning of it all, named Parley Pratt, and I think he did a pretty good job of summing it all up. He also isnt perfect, but I think he did the best he could. Here is his writings, called "A voice of warning"

http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/35554/pg35554-images.html

After my encounter with the accusations of the Buddhist as a 17 year old boy, I have made a point of studying all texts that any person of any possible legitimacy claimed to be "books of scripture". I determined that if I had *been* born into a Buddhist family or a Muslim family (or whatever other religion), that I would have found Christianity by reading the Bible. How could I say this unless I was willing to read other texts? And so I have made it a point of reading these other religious texts including the Dhammapada, Mahabharata (contains the Bhagavad Gita), the Quran, and many, many other texts of scripture from other religions. I would encourage anyone and everyone to do the same-- no matter what religion you may be of  natively, so that I could fairly say for myself that I had examined the fruits.

If I had been a Jew, just following the days of Christ, would I have been willing to examine the New testament-- or would I have been absolutely sure that God was done speaking and would do no other work, and not be willing to read the New testament witnesses of Paul, Peter, Matthew, Mark, and James?  I believe that God is not done speaking-- in fact I know it, and this also what God made known to me.

Paul likewise  prophesied of our day when he said "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, 'I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams': And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath..."

Another scripture comes to mind:

But behold, there shall be many—at that day when I shall proceed to do a marvelous work among them, that I may remember my covenants which I have made unto the children of men, that I may set my hand again the second time to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel;

And also, that I may remember the promises which I have made unto thee... for a standard unto my people, which are of the house of Israel... Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth? ...
Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also. And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever... 
For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written. And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one. And I will show unto them that fight against my word and against my people, who are of the house of Israel, that I am God, and that I covenanted with Abraham that I would remember his seed forever.

--2 Nephi 29

I testify that Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the Creator and Redeemer of mankind. He is the Savior and God of Heaven and Earth. This I declare in His sacred name, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Here is the link to part 3

https://truthprocess.blogspot.com/2020/04/letter-to-my-wonderful-english-teacher_19.html