Hi MG...
AHHHHHHHHHHHh I finally figured out how you put things together! It took me a while but I think I get it now!
If it isn't what it claims to be then:
-Choose whatever lifestyle or belief system you desire, it doesn't matter. Whatever fits your needs and floats your boat...or make it up as you go along, if you want.
If these are the two choices and there is a plausibility that one of them will:
1. Bring my family and I more opportunities for blessings within Christ's church.
2. Give a greater understanding of God and his attributes.
3. Help me understand what eternal life and progress entails and what I need to do to obtain it.
4. Increase understanding of the purpose of life and how Jesus Christ fits into the whole scheme of things.
5. Bring a greater degree of happiness in the here and now through obedience to God's commandments.
6. Provide correct teachings/principles without being blown around by every wind of doctrine.
...then I'll take that one.
You think there are two options in life.
The LDS church as the one and only, or choose whatever you want because nothing matters which leads to a horrible life.If these are the two choices and there is a plausibility that one of them will:
You only see ONLY these two options which is why you think the LDS church is the better option.
I GET IT!
I think the reason we all can't go with you is because we don't see these two options as the only options.
Knowing that the world is filled with religions and belief systems, that also claim they are the one and only way to God, and knowing there are all sorts of ways to live a good, decent, honorable, loving life, most of us see thousands of options in terms of how to live a good life.
IN other words... for us, (I think I am speaking for most of us here), it is not the LDS church or nothing/horrible life.
Just as it is not Scientology or nothing/horrible life, FLDS or nothing/horrible life, Islam or nothing/horrible life, Catholicism or nothing/horrible life, Hinduism or nothing/horrible life, Buddhism or nothing/horrible life, etc. etc. etc.
For most of us it is more like... "which of the
thousands of options available is most likely to be true, feels the most holy, seems to be most correct, appears most reasonable, provides one's life with a sense of peace, makes the most sense etc. etc. etc."
Does that make sense? Do you see why we can't seem to follow some of your ideas? (smile)
I have stated before, if one thinks that if they leave the LDS church or stop believing in Joseph Smith, they will become a horrible, sinful, cruel, disgusting human being, by all means they should stay a believer. :-)
My personal observation is that there are great, wonderful, fabulous, honorable, loving people in all sorts of religions and without any religion or belief in God.
I truly do not see the LDS folks or any other religious group, (with the possible exception of Buddhism which is not a religion but a philosophy), as more holy, more kind, more loving, more "righteous" than any other group.
Anyway... I understand you are done with this thread but I am glad I finally figured out how you experience life and why you believe as you do! :-)
Warmest wishes my friend and good luck on your projects!
~dancer~