All Things Denote There is a God

I look all around me, and the more details of this universe that I observe, the more sense it makes to me that there is a God. I mean, just look around! Look at everything that exists in this world. No one can look at the molecular structure of a protein and the beautiful Grand Canyon and the motion of the galaxies and tell me that it all just happened, that there's no divine purpose to any of it. There is a purpose, and everything in this world has been carefully designed by the great Architect. 

Look at everything that He is. 

God is an Artist.

He is a Composer.

He is a Scientist.

He is a Creator.

He is a Father.

People occasionally ask me how I can believe in a God. My mind goes to a scripture in the Book of Mormon:

"...all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." 

[Alma 30:44, emphasis added]

I believe in God because it makes sense to me that He is there. In my mind, a race as meaning-driven as the human race can only exist if there is indeed a meaning to its existence. There would be no meaning if there were nothing for us after our short mortal lives, and there would be no afterlife if there were no Creator for us to return to.

Why do you believe in God (or whatever you believe in)?

Calming Hectic Thoughts

My mind typically runs at about a million miles per minute. When I'm online (for proselyting purposes), I bounce back and forth between two blog posts I'm drafting and two friends I'm talking to and those posts I'm supposed to "like" and "share" and checking the comments on my posts and trying to find people I've met here lately and it's just exhausting. And it's even crazier when I'm out in the real world!

As a missionary, I'm always multi-tasking. I'm constantly trying to plan whom we're going to see next, what words should come out of my mouth, what I'm going to make my companions for lunch, whether or not I really need my jacket today, how I can keep my thoughts focused on missionary work, when I'm going to find the time to respond to my letters... it never ends.

I know I didn't do the best job of describing the inner workings of my mind, but you get the idea. It can be frustrating sometimes having so much in my head. I frequently feel flustered, and my focus fails me. I get overwhelmed. I want to shut off my mind and focus on the task immediately on hand, but I just can't.

In times like these, when I just want to calm my hectic mind, I remember one of my favorite verses of scripture:

"Behold, ye are little children, and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. 

"Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; 

"And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost."

[Doctrine & Covenants 50:40-42] 

My Savior doesn't expect me to be able to handle everything all at once. I'm very grateful for that knowledge; it allows me to take a step back and breathe. As long as I'm trying to improve in "grace and in the knowledge of the truth," I'm doing all I can, God understands that, and He is pleased with my efforts. That brings me a sense of lasting peace, even if I can't flip a switch on my brain.

How do you calm your hectic thoughts?

On Light

As I've read from the scriptures, spent time in nature, and enjoyed philosophical discussions with others, I've noticed a prevailing theme: Light. It's everywhere. There's got to be something significant about light.

Physical light is vital to our survival. It provides warmth. It illuminates our surroundings and allows us to see. It influences our mood and behavior--think of how you feel on a sunny day compared to a cloudy day. 

Spiritual light is equally important. Light is equated to truth and intelligence in the scriptures, and it is the glory of God (Doctrine & Covenants 93:36). To be enlightened is to understand--to know of our purpose, to learn of the mysteries of God, to feel that we have found truth. Men are given the Light of Christ, and Jesus Christ is called the Light of the World (John 9:5).

We are called Children of Light (1 Thessalonians 5:5). I find that interesting because followers of Christ are called Children of Christ (Mosiah 5:7), followers of the world are called Sons (or servants) of Mammon (Matthew 6:24), and followers of Satan are called Sons of Perdition (D&C 76:32). We are the "children" of whomever we choose to follow; it's a choice between Light and Darkness.

We should try to follow Light, or truth and intelligence. I do this by earnestly seeking truth. Studying. Asking questions. Searching for goodness in the world. Helping others.  I can feel the Light within me as I search for it.

Light is everywhere--nature, good books, uplifting music, the love we experience as we spend time with family & friends. How do you find light?

Weak Things Become Strong

So, being a human being, I am incredibly weak sometimes. And being a Mormon missionary, I kind of really love the Book of Mormon. One of my favorite verses in the Book of Mormon makes me feel better about life (and it makes me feel all tingly inside):

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
[Ether 12:27]

God gives us weaknesses to make us humble, and if we ask Him for help, He will strengthen us. That’s such a beautiful principle. And I’ve definitely seen it in myself lately.

Those of you who knew me in high school know that I am very, very inquisitive (and a bit of a skeptic). Well, the other day, I was reading through some old messages with friends in which we discussed religion. I was so doubtful and analytical and… angry. I questioned everything about my faith, and I was spiritually very weak. Those of you who knew me in high school will also know that I had a lot of days when I was really quite depressed. I always felt like something was missing, and I was restless. Confused. Unsatisfied. 

I had let my inquisitive nature tear me apart; it became a weakness.

Being on my mission, I haven’t stopped questioning things. I still analyze everything I claim to believe in. I still have doubts from time to time. But I don’t let it be a weakness anymore. I took it to the Lord. I asked Him for help, and I’ve spent countless hours on my knees asking for faith and spiritual strength. I’m still not the most spiritual person you’ll ever meet in your life, but I’m so much stronger than I ever thought I could be. I’ve even had the chance to use my past experiences of questioning my beliefs to help other people here in Oregon. I’ve gained a lot of credibility by showing the fact that I don’t blindly follow anything, and I’ve been able to answer questions for some who struggle. 

All of my questioning has paid off. It’s humbled me. And it’s become a great strength.

We are given weaknesses for a reason. If we were great at everything, we wouldn’t need God for anything. He gave us challenges and struggles so we’d come to Him for help; He wants us to build a relationship with Him. We need to be humble and realize that no matter how great we are, we can’t do everything on our own. 

Think about some of your weaknesses. Why do you have them? How could you use them for good? How can they become strengths? Things to think about.

Ponder & reply. Let’s start a conversation.

Moments that Matter Most

I love the sentiment that we should slow down and appreciate these moments in life. 

Think of it this way—the entire purpose of life is to learn, grow, and gain experience. So we should savor these experiences. I mean, we literally have an eternity to worry about other things. And when you think of eternity, the little things that bother us really do become little. 

Focus on the things that matter in the long run: family, friends, education, and your relationship with God.

Watch this video and see what I mean.

Let's Go On a Journey

Hi. My name is Rachel (currently it’s Sister Nealy), and I’m serving as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I’m about 8 months into my mission, meaning I have about 10 months left to go. I have the brand-new and super exciting opportunity to share the gospel with the world through social media. So I’m starting this blog to share uplifting spiritual thoughts with my friends & family.

I love being a missionary. I love being immersed in spiritual things of eternal significance. I feel so much more alive as I ignore the noise of the outside world. This was illustrated to me very clearly as I went shopping the other day with some other missionaries on our errand-running day; I looked around at all the flashy, gaudy, attention-grabbing clothing that seems to be in style these days and listened to the overhead pop music, and I could feel my energy draining. It was exhausting. Nothing I was looking at was making me happy. Nothing had any substance. Nothing mattered. 

The thing that makes me the happiest these days is my studies. I am blessed enough to have two hours each morning to quietly study the scriptures—the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price—and the words of modern-day prophets. Each time I read, I gain a new little insight into eternity. Learning anything, especially things that I consider to be deep and spiritual, brings me such great joy. I can’t adequately describe the feeling I have when I ponder things like the meaning of life, the promises waiting for me after this life, and the potential I have as a child of God.

That’s why I decided to come on a mission. After years of struggling with my faith and my views on life, I’ve finally found peace. Lasting peace. Knowledge that whatever happens, even if everything falls apart today, it’ll all be okay in the end. I wanted to share that peace with other people. I felt like I owed it to God; it’s the least I could do. I want other people—especially my friends & family—to find the same sense of peace & direction that I’ve found.

This may come as a shock to those who knew me in my previous life. I want all of you to know that I’m going to be posting uplifting, spiritual messages on my Facebook account and on this blog. Please don’t take offense to any of it. I’m not trying to force anything on anyone; I just really love you, and I love these things I’ve learned, and it’s only natural to share things you love with people you love. 

If any of you have any questions about God, prayer, my beliefs, or religion in general, please feel free to ask; nothing would make me happier than to answer your questions. 

I hope you’ll come with me on my spiritual journey.