Faith and Hope

I've had something on my mind for a while now, and I have resisted posting because I didn't want to offend people close to me. I can't get it off my mind, so I have decided to go ahead and get my thoughts down.

Lately, I have felt like people have been judgemental of my dedication to my religion. I have some fantastic friends who have different views than I do. Some are wonderful, and tolerant, and some are very kind, but treat me like because I center my life around my religion, I am not capable of thinking for myself. It seems to me like the "popular" opinion has become to doubt everything that comes along. I think most people do believe in God. I think many people deny that there is a God simply because it seems that that is what Hollywood is doing, and it seems to be hip or cool. I am really annoyed by this.

I know that I have a Heavenly Father, and I know that he loves me. I also know that he loves every one of his children, and he would love to have every one of them enjoy the blessings that come from living a righteous life. I also know that he cannot bless them if they will not follow the commandments. It amazes me how many people try to find happiness everywhere except in living the way they should. I had my independent years where I had to find out everything for myself. I rebelled against the way my parents raised me thinking it was "old fashioned." I went through a lot of misery. I knew that all I had to do was live the way I knew I should, but I was afraid of what my friends at the time would think. I spent some time being unhappy. I thought I was mature because I was making up my own mind, but I realized that a lot of times, maturity comes when you humble yourself to realize you can learn from other people. Especially wise parents who tried their best to raise you the right way.

I think for most of my life, my religion has been a guiding factor in my life. It is not just a place I go to meet people, it directs just about everything I do in my life. Is this because I am not smart enough to make up my own mind? Is it because I am simply a follower, and I think that "acting" like I am being righteous will make me look better to other people? Nope! It is because I have faith, and because I have hope. I have never regretted following the counsel of the prophet. I have definitely regretted NOT following his counsel. I had a friend once who said, "If I die, and find out everything I believe in is not true, I would not regret they way I have lived for a second." I do believe in my religion, but I also believe the life that I live because of my beliefs is a much happier life.

I believe that happiness does come when we follow the counsel of the prophets. If the prophet stood up and said that every Tuesday we should wear a green shirt, I would be happy to follow the counsel. I wouldn't understand it, but I believe in President Monson as a prophet, and for me that is enough. I don't need to fight against his counsel every time. I do work to gain a testimony of the things he asks us to do, but I don't need to decide each time if I will or won't follow his counsel.

My life is happier because I am a religious person.