I believe in God.
One might think that this is a sort of an obvious belief, especially since I live in Utah, which has very a high percent of religious people. However, I feel that this particular belief is growing more and more important as time progresses and our world continues to evolve, in what I think of as a somewhat unfortunate and degrading direction. Sex has become commonplace and free of responsibility. People are surprised when someone is honorable or has integrity. TV is barely watchable anymore, as all of the shows glorify violence, and guess what else? Sex. Yup. People lock their doors at night, don’t go out alone by themselves in big cities, and think getting wasted is a good time. Family is not a focus of society anymore. Marriage is “optional”. Bad things happen to good people. In my own generation I have noticed a marked lack of respect for people, in general, but especially to teachers and older people. Our nation is going bankrupt, the divorce rate is over 50%. Our nation is arguing about whether to keep the reference to God in our pledge of allegiance. Different parts of the world are engaged in war and genocides. Hm. Well, heck.
With a world like this, why do I still believe in God? Especially since it looks like nothing is going to get better anytime soon.
I’ll tell you why.
Because there are still good and honorable people. Because there are sunsets, and sunrises, and stars. Because my family is still whole. Because a man and a woman can create a new, perfect little human being. There is no way that a little amoeba evolved into two so entirely different beings of the same species that can recreate as perfectly as humans can. Because of patriotism, and the people who fight and really believe in what America has to offer. Because of places like the Grand Canyon or the rocky mountains. Because I have the ability to think, and to feel. Joy is not an emotion generated by a mortal. I believe in God because of the way that plants work, because of the way bodies work and how animals work, and how the earth can take care of itself, if we could let it alone. Because there is music in the world. I believe in God because people still love each other.
My list goes on and on. But because I believe in God, I am motivated to act as I think he would, to find others who need help, to stand and defend those morals that are beginning to be disregarded. I believe that God gives me my strength; I believe he loves me. I believe in God.
I testify that there is a Heavenly Father who loves you and who loves me, and who cares very much about our choices and the things we do. I feel the influence of the Holy Spirit every day in my life. I feel joy every day just to be alive, because of the beautiful blessing that is and the experiences I will get to experience every new day.
I am beautiful and my Heavenly Father loves me, and I love him back.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
