Context

Doing God’s will and keeping the commandments leads to blessings and happiness in this life. It was also leads to eternal life in the world to come. Following the adversary will ultimately lead to unhappiness and damnation.

Satan tries to remove the proper context from our decisions. He tries to get people to focus on the “high” that comes from drug use and ignore the addiction, pain, and misery that comes from drug addiction. He tries to get us to focus on the fun and fulfillment of fornication while ignoring the emotional and spiritual consequences associated with those actions. Satan uses this tactic for ALL sins: sexual sins, dishonesty, murder, etc.

If we could view every situation the way God views it, we would never sin. That’s one thing I try to do in my life. I asked for help to view choices and situations the way God sees them.

Why are some gay LDS guys able to stay in the Church and follow the Gospel teachings? I submit that context is a big part of it. They can see how being gay fits into God’s plan. They can see how God could love them, allow them to be gay, and still require them to live His commandments. They can see how being gay and LDS is not ultimately a burden—but a blessing. They have faith and a proper context to allow them to face this challenge and be successful.

Service

The topic of service has been on my mind quite a bit lately. Here is a quote from Mother Teresa that I really like:

"We must not drift away from the humble works, because these are the works nobody will do. It is never too small. We are so small and we look at things in a small way. But God, being Almighty, sees everything great. Therefore, even if you write a letter for a blind man or you just go and listen, or you take the mail for him, or you visit somebody or bring a flower to somebody - small things - or wash clothes for somebody, or clean the house - very humble work- that is where you and I must be. For there are many people who can do big things. But there are very few people who will do the small things."

Here is one from Heber J. Grant:

“One can never tell what will be the result of faithful service rendered, nor do we know when it will come back to us or to those with whom we are associated. The reward may not come at the time, but in dividends later. I believe we will never lose anything in life by giving service, by making sacrifices, and doing the right thing.”

And finally, here is one by Gordon B. Hinckley:

“Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others…. By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves.”

Faith

I was recently asked why I try to live the Gospel as taught by the LDS Church despite my trial of being gay. Well, the answer comes from the things I’ve learned through this journey so far as well as faith. I have written some of my thoughts, but I don’t care to put them on my blog at this time because of their personal nature. If you are a follower of my blog and would like to know my thoughts, drop me an email or a comment and I will share them with you.