BELIEFS AND STORIES FROM MEMBERS OF
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

This question is related to Karl Marx’s famous statement that “Religion is the opium of the masses.” Marx also said, “Religion is the impotence of the human mind to deal with occurrences it cannot understand.” And again, “The first requisite for the happiness of the people is the abolition of religion.” [1]

In an article written by Geoffrey Janes addressing this question, Janes insightfully said: “The basic idea is that God is some kind of spiritual narcotic that dulls our senses to the pain of the world and helps us to cope with it.” Quoting from a contemporary Polish poet, Janes went on to say, “Religion, opium of the people! The true opium of modernity is the belief that there is no God so humans are free to do precisely as they please.”

Opium is a narcotic. “The term narcotic (ναρκωτικός) is believed to have been coined by Galen to refer to agents that benumb or deaden, causing loss of feeling or paralysis.” [Wikipedia]

Thus, opiates have two effects: 1) to numb pain, to do away with feeling; and 2) to make one powerless to move. Marx’s statements suggest that the populace is paralyzed when religion holds sway. He thinks people cannot make thinking, rational decisions or exercise volition, when religion influences them. He thinks people are lulled into believing in fairy tales, numbing their pain, but making them unable to sense what is really real and to act accordingly.

Having been physically paralyzed from the neck down for 19 years, I know how it is to have absolutely no feeling in any part of my body except for my face and the top of my head. You may think it a blessing not to be able to feel pain, but it really isn’t.

Our bodies, as created by God, were designed to experience pain to let us know that something is wrong and to move us to act. Although pain is not pleasant, it can be a blessing in urging us to seek immediate help to discover the source of the pain, take the necessary measures to alleviate it, and thus avoid more serious damage.

I believe that our spirits function in much the same manner. If we inject too much opium of disbelief into our systems it is also possible for our spirits to become paralyzed. When an individual is spiritually paralyzed he cannot “feel” the promptings that come from God through his conscience and is not aware that he is in great spiritual pain and perhaps in danger of an impending spiritual death. It is sin and pride that cause paralysis, and not true religion.

Geoffrey Janes said, “The truth is something that cannot be changed. God does exist. He created us, not the other way around.”

From the beginning of time there have been individuals and entire nations that have become spiritually paralyzed by rejecting God. They have injected into their cultures the narcotic of disbelieving in a higher power and any system or code of ethics. It has had such a numbing effect on their spirits they have become “past feeling.” Crimes against humanity have been and continue to be committed by such individuals and nations, including indeed, the nations that have followed the philosophies of Karl Marx.

For months after my accident I came very close to being spiritually paralyzed as well as physically paralyzed. It was only by turning to God with all my heart and trusting in his goodness and love that my spirit was brought back to life. Darkness, gloom, and despair were replaced by light, warmth, and joy! No, religion is not the opium of the weak!”

Jack Rushton

Personal Response by Lance

I have known for a long time that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, but only in the last couple of years, while serving as a Mormon missionary, was I finally able to put into words the way that my answer came. There is a promise given by Moroni at the end of the Book of Mormon that if a person reads, ponders, and prays to know the Book of Mormon is true, the truth will be manifest to them by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10:3-5)

Two Witnesses- Greg K. Olsen

I read the Book of Mormon a few times growing up and I always felt that it was true, but I could never clearly express how I had come to that knowledge. I could honestly say that I knew by the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, but I couldn’t describe what that meant. It was more than just a simple feeling. It was a strong conviction.

As a missionary I came across people who had highly varying beliefs about the Holy Ghost and the way that the Holy Ghost affects us. This caused me to search even more to find a way to clearly explain how I had received a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true. I was reading in the Book of Mormon one day and I found my answer. (more…)

Personal Response by Nathan

Answers to prayers come in many different ways. A good way to answer this question may be to explain some of the generic ways prayers are answered.

There is a method of seeking revelation (communication from God to man) that allows prayers to be answered. Seeking revelation correctly begins through effort on our part. A simple prayer is often not enough. Important steps to consider are fasting, pondering, and building faith to accept an answer. As we fulfill these steps, God will see our efforts and bless us accordingly. Often the best method of seeking revelation or answers to prayers is to make a tentative decision after our fasting, pondering, and faith building. Once we feel we have a good preliminary decision, we take the decision to the Lord and ask for His confirmation. (more…)

Personal response by Jack

At age 50 I was body surfing with my 16-year-old son and his friend at Laguna Beach, California. I took one “last wave” and accidentally hit by forehead on a submerged rock, my neck was broken, and my spinal cords severed between the second and third cervical vertebrae. I was instantly paralyzed, lost consciousness, and woke up two hours later in the Laguna hospital surrounded by doctors and nurses. One of the nurses noticed my eyes were opened and said to me, “Jack, if you can understand what I am saying, blink your eyes once.” I blinked and there was a collective sigh of relief in the room. That began for me a new way of life that has continued on for the past 19 years.

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Personal response by Jack

This is a very good and thought-provoking question. I would imagine that many people, at one time or another, have felt that perhaps there is a major conflict between science and religion. The age of the earth, how it was created, evolution, the dinosaurs, and a host of other seemingly knotty questions seem to preclude having faith in God and accepting evidence gleaned from the scientific method of discovering truth.

I just recently read a most fascinating book that for some reason I had missed over the years that helped me make sense out of this supposed science vs. religion conflict. It is Reflections of a Scientist by Henry Eyring. The book was published in 1983 and may be difficult to find but is well worth reading if you can find it.

Henry Eyring was a world renowned chemist who taught for a number of years at Princeton during the late 30s and through World War II. Albert Einstein was also on the faculty and they shared a number of experiences during those years. (more…)

Personal Response by Jack Rushton

I believe this is a very profound question that has undoubtedly been asked by millions of people from the beginning of time. Life can seem unfair at times as we experience our own personal suffering, and witness through our own eyes or through the media, the incredible suffering that seems to be such an integral part of the daily lives of people all over the world.

I had to come to grips with this question on a personal level when 19 years ago I broke my neck, severed my spinal cord, and became paralyzed from the neck down and ventilator dependent. (more…)

Personal Response by Nathaniel

Friends of other faiths have asked me why I wanted to go on a Mormon mission in the prime of my life. I was 23 years old, and most of my high-school friends had already graduated from college. My motivation for going on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stemmed not only from my parents’ encouragement but a conviction that a mission would draw me closer to God.

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The temple includes the pinnacle of all of the ordinances that are performed in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of these ordinances is temple marriage. Temple marriage is an ordinance, or a ceremony, that is performed by qualified officiators in the Mormon temple. It is similar to a wedding ceremony that is performed in a church, a synagogue, or even a Japanese shrine, with some notable exceptions. In the above ceremonies, the couple exchanges vows with one another, in the presence of witnesses and an officiator. In the temple, the couple also exchanges vows in the presence of an officiator, also known as a sealer, and two witnesses. However, Mormons also believe that God is party to these vows. These vows are known as covenants because of their sacred nature, and because they are a symbol of a relationship of commitment between God and the marriage partners. When performed by a sealer who possesses the authority, acting for and behalf of God, the marriage is perpetuated beyond the grave. This has reference to the sealing power that was given to Peter in the New Testament (Matt. 16: 19). (more…)

Personal Response by Rachel

I have summed up the most significant lesson I learned on my mission in six words: “Come unto Christ and be happy.” This phrase has become a personal motto for the rest of my life. Each morning of my mission we had an hour to do personal study of the scriptures and Preach My Gospel. The more I studied the words of Christ through His ancient and modern prophets and apostles, the more I came to love Him and believe in Him. My growing belief and faith in Christ led me to follow His teachings, develop Christlike attributes, and testify of Christ’s restored gospel. As I obeyed the commandments of the gospel and became more like Christ, I felt the Holy Ghost’s influence more abundantly in my life. I felt the fruits of the Holy Ghost, which include “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22-23). I learned that “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:17). Every day of my mission was an opportunity to do the things Christ has asked of us. When I chose to follow Christ, I was blessed with happiness, joy, love, and peace. My dad has often told me that he can always tell when I am happy and acting in a way that is pleasing to the Savior. “You have a sparkle in your eyes,” my dad has said. “So, I know that you are on the right path.” (more…)

Personal Response by Natalie

A Glimpse Into a Mormon Student’s Values & Lifestyle

Attending Brigham Young University, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), has helped me realize that the key aspects of my religion–repentance, revelation, prayer, and coming closer to Christ- are applicable to all areas of my life. My religion has become more than a Sunday trip to church, or an occasional reading of scriptures. The gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is my life. As I study the bones in the human skull or the process of embryo development in my anatomy class, I am reminded that God is the creator of all men and women and that He created us in His image, and that the body is a sacred gift from God. As I study American History, I am reminded that the Lord’s hand was in the making of our country and the unfolding of our Constitution so that the gospel could later be restored on this earth. As I study the behavior of atoms and molecules in my chemistry class I am reminded that God is the creator of the universe, and that everything he does is ordered. The more I learn and study science, history, and humanities, the more my knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ grows and my testimony of Jesus Christ as our Savior is strengthened. As my knowledge of physics, civilization, and health expands, so does my knowledge of who I am, who God is, and what my purpose on earth is. (more…)