President Monson, President Eyring, President Uchtdorf

[_Who Knows]

Again, what's so great about faith? What makes believing based on faith, better than believing based on facts? (charity - hint - if you don't know, or can't answer why, it's ok to say so...)

Faith is the power that runs everything. Faith is really something tangible. Paul called it "substance." Faith isn't just the mental attitude of believing in something. I don't know how it works, but faith can move mountains, physically. That is why it is so important to develop and practice and use faith.

"Facts" don't stack up against the power of God.

Believing based on faith lasts through storms and vicissitudes. Faith based on facts ( if there can be such a thing) is no stronger than a vapor.

You really just said a whole lotta nothing. Faith is the power that runs everything? Really? How do you know this? Faith is tangible? Um, ok, where can i see this? Faith can move mountains? I've never seen that happen. I've never moved a mountain. If you have evidence of this, please share. Faith lasts through storms and vicissitudes? What does that even mean? People change their faith all the time. Just like people change their views based on facts.

Besides, none of this addresses the real issue here. What are we supposed to have faith in? Whose god? Whose religion? Millions of people around the world have faith in as many religions. What does that prove? What does that say about the validity of faith? I'm not sure how you can ridicule 'faith based on facts' saying it's 'no stronger than a vapor' when belief based on faith is even more flimsy.

[_amantha]

Charity said:

You do remember. So you won't be able to claim ignorance. I would just make one small correction. We don't turn into "God." We are His sons and daughters who becomes gods. Small g.

That was "tune" not "turn."

Oh, I know the drill alright. When the time comes and I stand before God I will have to simply say that I didn't like his plan even though apparently I liked it at some point. I will tell him that I didn't understand and for a while I will weep and wail and then I will take my place among those who couldn't be valiant. Somehow I will forget about my family or something else will happen that will cause me to be happy with my new eternal lot. It saddens me to think that I am giving away my family because I won't believe what they believe but I just won't bring myself to do that. It's my choice. So I'll just enjoy my spouse and my sons and daughters while I have them and then I will accept my judgment.

I admire those who can stay true to their faith amidst all of the perplexities and trials laid out in this life. These people are a peculiar people and they are very few.

God's program is a very selective one and not everyone will choose that difficult road. I am one of these. My mother passed on about 3 years ago as an active LDS woman. I will forever miss her. My father is nearing death's doors and I am glad that he will be with my mother again. I believe they will share Celestial glory together but I won't be there with them. It warms me to think of their eternal happiness together. They never doubted.

My spouse will be given a new partner after this life because if anyone is likely to be worthy of Celestial glory it is my spouse. The thought pains me a bit, but I choose not to be with my spouse. I don't want to believe in Mormonism. I don't want to believe in Joseph or Jesus. This is my choice and I will live with it.

Thankfully God is merciful and somehow all of this sorrow will be taken from me and I will find the joy in the measure of glory that God will judge appropriate for me--a judgment, I'm sure, which will come just as much from within as without.

I am sure that people like Charity will be most forgiving when the day comes when we see each other and all things are revealed. My hidden identity will be revealed and all of my deliberate justifications for disbelief will be laid bare.

Truthfully, I don't know why I don't want to believe. You would think that I would want to, but I don't. Maybe it is because it is just too hard and I don't want to work that hard. I allow my natural skepticism to overwhelm my desire to be faithful to the faith which surrounded me all of my life. I just won't allow myself the faith and patience necessary to decide if the voice inside me is the spirit or the programming of a lifetime within a particular belief system.

I thank God for my life and I willingly accept His just judgment now and later. I have made my choice even though I know the opportunity exists for me to have a genuine testimony, I just don't want one.

[Or not.]