Defining the Terms

When we hear the words “perfect,” “perfectionist,” or “perfectionism” what thoughts come to mind? The philosophical definition of perfectionism is “a doctrine holding that religious, moral, social, or political perfection is attainable, especially the theory that human moral or spiritual perfection should be or has been attained.” The Apostle Paul addressed the subject of being perfect in his treatise to the saints of the church at Philippi. In Philippians 3:12-16 Paul exhorts:

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

What Paul is telling the saints is that he is not perfect, but he lives his life in such a manner as to daily strive to become perfect or more Christ-like. He further explains that he has left behind those things in his life which he once thought would gain him favor with God, and instead continues to look ahead and set the attaining of a Christ-like life (a perfect life) as his spiritual and moral target.

High Expectations and Striving for Perfection

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are taught to have high expectations and to strive for perfection, a task which frequently leaves members finding themselves falling short of the mark. This often leads to feelings of discouragement, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and stress. However, Professors G. E. Kawika Allen from the McKay School of Education at Brigham Young University, and Kenneth T. Wang at the Fuller Theological Seminary, argue that perfectionism, or striving for high standards, is not the problem.

In a recent study published by the American Psychological Association in Psychology of Religion and Spirituality which focused specifically on Latter-day Saints, they surveyed approximately 267 active members of The Church of Jesus Christ in Utah which consisted mostly of young adults in their mid-20’s, and asked questions ranging from their satisfaction with life to inward and outward commitment to their faith. From their study they were able to categorize the responses into three main groups:

The first group, 22% of people surveyed, were not perfectionists, that is, they don’t believe they hold themselves to high personal standards. The rest were considered perfectionists, but had an interesting split among them – a new type of perfectionism. Of the perfectionist group, 30% were classified as what Allen and Wang labeled maladaptive perfectionism, while 47% were classified as adaptive.

Allen admits that the populace surveyed for the test was perhaps the most appropriate as it is at that crossroads in a person’s life when they feel the most pressure to live up to the high standards of perfectionism as they contemplate going on a mission, getting married, and pursuing a higher education.

The study indicated that over half of the 267 LDS members surveyed could be classified as adaptive perfectionists which can be described as follows:

Adaptive perfectionists are likely to feel acceptance of themselves and their efforts, even when they fail or fall short of the high personal standards they have set for themselves. They are also more inwardly and outwardly committed to their LDS faith, which supports previous peer-reviewed findings that religious commitment plays a role in achieving better psychological health. That means adaptive perfectionism is actually healthy.

Taking this into consideration, the Apostle Paul would be classified as an adaptive perfectionist.

By contrast, however, members who were classified as maladaptive tend to feel less satisfied with their lives, and often experience depression and anxiety. They also tend to have a deeper fear of being punished by God for their sinful behavior. The study renders the following explanation about maladaptive perfectionists:

Maladaptive perfectionists are those folks who have high standards and high expectations for themselves, but when they are unable to meet those expectations, whether it’s school, family, or personal expectations, they struggle a little more with feelings of failure, feelings of not being good enough, disappointment, discouragement, and they feel down about themselves because they’re not able to meet those high standards.

Allen further commented that “adaptive perfectionists are more resilient to discouragement and create a ‘buffer’ for themselves if they fail —allowing themselves a chance to simply try again and again and again and do their best. He relates this to the repentance process.

How Members Can Achieve a Healthier Perfectionist Behavior

Allen offers three basic suggestions for helping members to become adaptive perfectionist versus maladaptive perfectionists. He states that the first step is for a member to figure out the type of perfectionist that he or she is. For those who struggle with maladaptive perfectionism, Allen states that, “Knowing that they have this negative tendency is half the battle. Then they can begin practicing more patience with themselves and studying the Atonement – both key steps to becoming an adaptive perfectionist.” He also states that it can be encouraging for adaptive perfectionists “because it reinforces the ‘Okay, I can be perfectionist in an adaptive way, and I can feel good about myself when I’m not able to meet those expectations.”

The second step in the process is to not allow fear to rule how the gospel is lived. Allen states,

Oftentimes we find ourselves doing things out of fear and anxiety rather than wanting to do it out of the love and out of faith—our own faith. When we’re driven by fear and anxiety, that’s when we need to take another look at the meaning of the Atonement and grace and our testimony of the living Christ.

He further emphasizes that adaptive perfectionists are motivated by love for the Savior more than they are by fear of repentance or punishment.

The third step is to apply the atonement in daily living and remember the unconditional love that God has for each of us. Allen commented:

As we let go of fear, we also need to strive to understand the Atonement and God’s love. When we understand that the Atonement allows us to strive for perfection simply by doing our very best and we remember that we are already imperfect, it helps us pick up the pieces and start again when we make a mistake.

Each of Us Strive for Perfection

None of us are perfect. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). The psalmist also declared, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Psalm 14:1-3).

The only One who is perfect is Christ Himself. He is our Exemplar. As mortals, being perfect is an impossibility, but yet we should continue to strive towards becoming perfect. If we would keep that as our perspective and goal in life, we will be able to become adaptive perfectionists, continuously working to improve ourselves. Allen concludes with this counsel:

The next time you find yourself feeling like a failure, and that achieving perfection is impossible, take a step back, pick yourself up, and remember that the beauty of the Atonement is our ability to frequently fail, but always be able to move forward, a little better than we were before.

Missionaries are Also Soldiers

Contrast that to the life of a missionary. He or she willingly leaves their family for 18 months to two years to also provide a service. The service that they provide is going throughout the world teaching and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Like the military soldier, they too don a uniform; however, their uniform consists of a nice suit for the males and beautiful skirts and dresses for the females. They also wear a name tag as part of their “uniform” to identify them as missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In a sense, they are also soldiers – soldiers who march to the orders of their Commander-in-Chief, the Lord Jesus Christ. Their life is not necessarily glamorous either, as they are often called to serve in many parts of the world that do not quite have all the comforts of home. Like the military soldier, not everyone is appreciative of the service that they render, and so they also face day-to-day challenges as they are rejected and criticized by some of the people they try to present the gospel message to, not only in faraway lands but at home in their country as well. In some areas of the world, their lives could also be placed in danger at a moment of social uprise or political upheaval. However, like the military soldier, they consider it an honor to be serving.  They are on the Lord’s errand, doing what He would have them to do.

Soldiers and missionaries both serve on battlefields, albeit the battlefields where they serve are somewhat different. Both have a goal and a purpose for their mission. As they go forth to fulfill their tasks, the words that the Lord spoke to Joshua can provide great comfort, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9). In times of loneliness, discouragement, and despair, there are also the words of the Apostle Paul to help strengthen them, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). And the Psalmist gives this gentle reminder as recorded in Psalm 18:31-36:

For who is God save the Lord? Or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

The Soldiers Return Home with Honor

When a military soldier returns home after his or her tour of duty, or a missionary returns home after his or her mission, both are returning home with honor. However, the world may seem a bit out of sorts, and it may almost appear to them that they had entered a new dimension, as life may not be quite the same as when they had left. Also, there will be people who cannot begin to understand the impact that their tour of duty or missionary service has had on their life. They are not the same people that they were when they left.

In a recent Meridian Magazine article dated 21 July 2014, Hermana Rachel Raynor, a returned missionary from Laie, Hawaii, recounted what it was like when she arrived at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in November 2012 after serving an 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She realized that for the first time in 18 months, she was in a public place alone without her companion. As she sought to gain her bearings, she recalled the words of her grandfather who had once told her that war changes men. In the article, she commented,

It [war] makes the soldier either believe in God or it makes one question Him. He chose to believe. I used to think it was because it was the only way for him to stay sane in battle. Now, I know, it’s because grandpa knew that God was the only one who would ever understand what he had experienced and been through.

She further said on her experiences upon returning home,

As I checked into my flight, I couldn’t help but feel confusion engulf my mind: what was I supposed to do now? How was I supposed to cope in a world that that knew nothing of what I had experienced, a world that knew not the journey I had just taken, the things I had learned, the people I had met, or who I had become. How was I to cope?

As she walked through the airport in route to the departure gate for the flight that was to take her to her final destination that day, these are some of the thoughts that flooded her mind. When she arrived at the gate, she observed people standing up and cheering. Through the disillusionment that she was experiencing at the time, it appeared to her that people were standing and cheering for her – a missionary who had just returned home with honor, but in reality, the crowd that day were cheering as three older, uniformed men were pushed through the airport in wheelchairs. These men were wearing WWII and Korean War Veteran hats. She also recalls standing and joining with the crowd as they applauded these brave soldiers who had valiantly fought to protect the freedoms that she and everyone around her cherishes. As she stood to applaud, the thought occurred to her,

Those men had probably been shot at, beaten, abused, held in captivity, scared, seen their friends die and yet they had continued to fight. I am sure that they had served to the best of their ability; that they had given all that they had. They likely had experienced and endured many things that no man or woman should ever experience, things that no one would ever understand without being in combat. They had fought for their families, their friends, their country, their religions, and for me. I was grateful for their service.

When the final boarding call was made, and she was about to board her plane, she started to reflect upon her service as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ. Like the soldiers, she too had been in the thick of a war, a spiritual war. Her battlefield included the areas of Arlington, Alexandria, and Fredericksburg, Virginia. During the time of her mission, she had seen people who were battle worn from the heavy burdens that they carried – individuals who prayed for help and relief. She had been one who had been called upon to rescue those souls from the heat of the battle. Although she gave her service valiantly, there were those who cursed her, despised her, and rejected her help – her message of hope. She too bore battle scars – bloody and callused knuckles from knocking on thousands of doors, and blistered feet from walking countless miles through all of the streets in the areas where she served, in every type of weather imaginable.

However, through it all, Sister Raynor, like the many returned soldiers from war, can hold her head high, knowing that she had done what her Commander-in-Chief had asked her to do and that she had served to the best of her ability. She, like the soldiers, had stood on the front lines battle – the soldiers as representatives of the country that they love, and she as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. She further commented,

I had bags under my eyes from exhaustion. I had experienced physical and spiritual highs and lows that no one would ever understand. I had served the Lord to the best of my ability. And now, I had a permanent smile on my face from an indescribable joy that I felt from serving my brothers and sisters. I had done the best I could.  I had been obedient.  As I boarded the plane, I felt a wave of satisfaction sweep over me and a confirmation of God’s acceptance of my sacrifice. I knew that up in heaven, there were people, friends and relatives, standing and cheering for me, grateful for my individual efforts in fighting this spiritual war on earth.

Heinrich Karl Bukowski, a German-born, American poet, novelist and short story writer, once described loneliness in the world as being “so great that you can see it in the slow movement of the hands of a clock.” And T.S. Eliot, “one of the twentieth century’s major poets,” said,

Any decent society must generate a feeling of community. Community offsets loneliness. It gives people a vitally necessary sense of belonging. Yet today the institutions on which community depends are crumbling in all the techno-societies. The result is a spreading plague of loneliness.

How to Cope with Loneliness

A Wiki How.com article titled “How to Deal with Loneliness” describes three methods of coping with loneliness. The first method is to learn how to enjoy solitude. Though a person might think that they are the same, solitude differs from loneliness. Whereas loneliness is when a person is unhappy to be alone, solitude is when a person is happy to be alone. A major part of enjoying solitude involves a person learning to balance the time that he spends helping others and the time that he has for himself. When he spends a majority of his time helping others, he often neglects himself. The article suggests that if a person is experiencing a period of loneliness, he should take advantage of that time and do some of the things that he enjoys doing for himself. Other ways that a person can enjoy solitude include working out and taking care of his body, learning a new skill, and doing something that he has always dreamed of doing, but never seemed to have the time.

The second method is to learn how to comfort oneself. The first step in this method involves a person coming to the realization that he is not alone. Everyone experiences periods of loneliness, especially during major life transitions when things are going in a new direction and changing for the better, and they are looking for people who share their new found interests and ideas. The article also suggests looking for “activities that interest you and that also involve groups of people like book clubs, church groups, political campaigns, concerts and art exhibitions.” [1] And, “don’t attend functions with the sole idea of making friends or meeting people. Try to go with no expectations whatsoever and to enjoy yourself regardless of what happens.” [1] Other ways that a person can learn to comfort himself is by keeping busy and not dwelling on how alone he feels, doing activities by himself and realizing that people do not necessarily assume that he has no friends simply because he is alone (sometimes people do things alone in order to capture some quality “me” time), and considering getting and caring for a pet (winning the trust and affection of an animal can be a deeply rewarding experience).

The third method discussed in the article is learning how to be social again. Sometimes when people are desperately lonely, it becomes easy for them to crawl into their shell and become secluded. The article suggests that one of the ways for a person to start anew in the social areas of his life is by calling or getting together with people that he knows. Even if some of those people are not the people that he has an immediate desire to be with at that moment, human contact makes establishing more contact easier. A key factor to remember is that knowing how to be a good listener is extremely important. If a person talks about himself all of the time, it will tend to turn people away. Also, a person should take the initiative of introducing himself to other people and not wait for other people to approach him. One of the keys to gaining a new circle of friends is by showing a genuine interest in them, and the things that they do. A person should also remember to be courteous and polite, and realize that some of the people whom he desires to be friends with already have their own circle of friends. Spending time with family at this stage can also be important. You can share friends and meet new people together, thus diminishing that awkward feeling of being alone in public.

Correlation between Social Relationships and Mortality

An article in The Wall Street Journal titled “When Being Alone Turns into Loneliness, There Are Ways to Fight Back,” suggests,

Spending time alone is more fun when it is by choice. When it is the result of loss, separation or isolation, people are likely to experience it as loneliness. Homesickness, bullying, empty-nesting, bereavement and unrequited love are all variations on the theme. Loneliness isn’t depression, which is a lasting feeling of deep sadness and hopelessness and should be treated by a professional. [2]

In 2010, researchers at Brigham Young University conducted a study comprised of 148 studies and involving more than 300,000 participants on the correlation between social relationships and mortality. Their research showed that “loneliness was as strong a predictor of early death as was alcoholism or smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and it was a stronger predictor than obesity or a sedentary lifestyle.” [2] John T. Cacioppo, who studies loneliness, and is a psychologist and director of the Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago, stated that the rate of loneliness in the United States has doubled in the past 30 years. He estimates, “some 40% of Americans report being lonely, up from 20% in the 1980s.” [2]

Why does there appear to be more loneliness now than ever before? The Wall Street Journal articles suggests,

Many of us spend way too much time behind electronic screens and not nearly enough on our real, in-person connections.

You don’t have to be alone to be lonely, as anyone who has suffered through a bad relationship or an awkward holiday gathering can attest. “Loneliness is the feeling of social isolation or dissatisfaction with your relationships,” Dr. Cacioppo says. “It’s not just about whether there are others around you. It’s about whether the ones around you are those you can trust.” Some people are genetically more prone to loneliness than others, he says. [2]

Dr. Cacioppo also points out that when it comes to social relationships and interaction, women differ from men in that women desire face-to-face interactions, whereas as men tend to gravitate towards and connect with groups of people.

Therapists say loneliness, in its most unhealthy form, is a distorted way of thinking that often has an emotional trigger—whether it is a big change like a breakup or a geographic move, or something as simple as attending a wedding alone or bickering with a sibling.

The result is the same. Our subconscious rewinds back to when we were young and worried someone else wasn’t going to be there to take care of us. It is the negative thought “I don’t matter.” [2]

Remedies for Loneliness

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to as the “Mormon” Church by the media and others) realize that there are those among them who are alone and experience periods of feeling lonely. They also know and teach that some of the common ways of overcoming a feeling of loneliness are to render service to others, become actively involved in Church activities, and maintain associations with family and friends.

LeEtta Pratt of Richmond, Virginia, says, “I spend little time with the word lonely. The world is so full of wonderful people and meaningful things to do.

“Service in the Church has everything to do with preventing loneliness,” she continues. “The world is so full of needy people; there are physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. With the gospel, we have so much to contribute.”

And from San Jose, Costa Rica, Ines Solan writes that serving another person not only gives her joy, but “fills some emptiness” inside of her. [3]

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ are also Home Teachers and Visiting Teachers, watching over families in the congregation,  which affords them another opportunity to serve others. Often they discover that when they are busy serving others, they are able to avoid their own feelings of loneliness.

Many singles are blessed through the companionship of family members. But for those who do not have the companionship of immediate family members, extended family can provide family fellowship.

Loneliness can also be alleviated by reaching out to others. “Other people can be lonesome, too,” observes Roger Cook of Malvern, Australia. “A single person who fellowships someone else, whether single or not, is twice blessed.” [3]

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ understand that the key to avoiding loneliness and being happy is a gospel-centered attitude.

Why? And how does The Church of Jesus Christ manage to grow and stay strong in a world that continually diminishes the importance and role of religion? The answer is simple: Mormons keep the message of the gospel at the forefront of their lives.

Doctrine Never Changes

The message of The Church of Jesus Christ is simple: Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and when we commit ourselves to Him, we find lasting peace, qualify for saving ordinances, and will eventually live with God and our families forever. The core doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ remain constant, and if there is a change in church operations or policy, it comes directly from general church leadership.

Curriculum is streamlined throughout the world so that no matter where you go to church, the lessons are what you would have heard in your home congregation. Members all around the globe are being taught the same doctrines and principles. This results in millions of members who have similar understandings of Christ’s teachings, thus making The Church of Jesus Christ consistent and secure. This worldwide curriculum is also evidence of the universality of the Church’s doctrines. The Church of Jesus Christ really is for everyone. The member demographics are broad and inclusive. No one is exempt from embracing the message The Church of Jesus Christ has to offer.

Some people argue that The Church of Jesus Christ discriminates against gays and lesbians. This is untrue. The Church does oppose same-sex marriage because it contradicts the eternal doctrine of the family, which is that marriage is ordained of God and is designed to be between a man and a woman. The Church does recognize that many people struggle with same-sex attraction and offers support for those who choose to live a lifestyle in harmony with the teachings and commandments of Jesus Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ maintains a website, “Love One Another: A Discussion on Same-Sex Attraction,” to help explain and discuss its official stance on this sensitive issue. The Church of Jesus Christ in no way condones violence or discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Harnessing Technology

Many churches struggle to retain membership in the wake of technological advancements. The Church of Jesus Christ has capitalized on the technological wave and uses the new brands of communicating to make doctrine more widely available. The Church’s website, LDS.org, was updated a few years ago to be more user-friendly. It’s easy to search and find material, plus there are landing pages for members to find local congregational (called ward) directories and ward calendars, in addition to online notebooks to help members make the most of their online study.

The Church of Jesus Christ has also developed extensive and comprehensive apps for smart devices. These apps consolidate dozens of scriptural and teaching resources, including footnoted canonized scripture, decades of General Conference messages, and every official lesson manual. The apps also offer personal note-taking software that allows users to do their regular scripture study online.

Church leadership has made new curriculum for the youth aged 12 – 18 available for immediate use. This curriculum relies on online media and incorporates the use of interactive PDFs. Videos are part of the core material for the new curriculum, and lesson outlines are more fluid and adaptable to the specific needs of the class. Regular adult curriculum is expected to follow suit in 2014.

Mormon leadership also started a YouTube channel several years ago, where it publishes produced videos about a variety of topics. These videos include the I’m a Mormon series, the Bible Videos series, introductory videos, and Mormon Messages. These videos can be shared via social media and help make great strides towards exposure and understanding of church doctrine.

With The Church of Jesus Christ incorporating the technological trends into the way it spreads its message, it makes the doctrines of Jesus Christ more accessible to rising generations. The new media outlets also make doctrines and principles easier to understand. Mormons from all backgrounds have started embracing the new ways to access church material – from teenagers to young parents to retirees. Technology doesn’t alienate members, but rather serves to include them in a much broader and accessible way.

Church Leadership Avoids Politics

Another way The Church of Jesus Christ stays focused on the message of the gospel is by eliminating politics from its leadership decisions. Mormons operate under a lay clergy, meaning that no one gets paid for the service he or she provides. Everyone —  from local bishops (congregational leaders) to Sunday School teachers to the president of the Church himself — is called by God, not by popular vote.

The leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ operates under a clear and specific system of succession. This system allows the general Church leadership to steer clear of divisive politics. The prophet of the Church is sustained unanimously by his fellow members in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This sustaining is not a vote to decide, but rather a vote of support. Church members all around the world are given the opportunity to declare their support as well through sustaining. Sustaining church leadership is a declaration of support by church members rather than a majority-rules vote. (To read more about prophetic succession in The Church of Jesus Christ, read here.)

Simple Sunday Worship

When you walk into a Mormon chapel on Sunday, you’ll see men in ties, women in skirts, and children wearing Sunday best as they find a pew to sit in. You won’t see jumbo-trons or a rock band playing prelude music. You’ll see people saying hellos and the organist or pianist softly playing hymns. A handful of young men will be up front preparing the sacrament table.

When the meeting begins, the bishop or one of his counselors (a bishop is a leader of a local congregation) will welcome the congregants and outline the meeting. Sermons are often given by men and women who also serve in other capacities; no one is called as a public speaker or “official talk giver.” Sunday school lessons may involve a PowerPoint presentation or a YouTube video, but the message is never pumped up with light shows or displayed in flashing colors with overwhelming sound. Doctrine is taught by teachers who aren’t paid for what they do and involves plenty of participation and discussion to maximize learning and understanding.

Sunday worship in The Church of Jesus Christ is simple. It’s free from bells and whistles and allows the focus to be on doctrine. The message of The Church of Jesus Christ doesn’t rely on rock-concert elements to be taken seriously; it rests on the power of the truth it brings.

When you attend a Mormon Sunday meeting, you won’t be bombarded with marketing strategies and recruitment gimmicks. You will be surrounded by people who have a shared love of the Savior and who want to share that message with anyone who wants to listen. Mormons rely on the power of the message to persuade and affect people, not on lights and sounds to pump up what they have to share.

Mormons Support Religious Liberty

Just because Mormons believe that The Church of Jesus Christ is the only church with the full truth doesn’t mean that they think everyone else is going to hell. In fact, Mormons strongly support religious freedom. The eleventh Article of Faith states that “we claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”

When it comes to heaven, hell, and the judgment day, Mormons’ beliefs are more intricate and rely entirely on the Savior’s mercy. They know they are in no place to judge and that Heavenly Father is in the perfect place to make those eternal calls. The Church of Jesus Christ allows each member to develop his or her own relationship with the Savior and encourages members to act in accordance with their conscience. Religious liberty is important; without it, The Church of Jesus Christ wouldn’t operate and thrive the way it does.

The Church of Jesus Christ is thriving and growing because its core message is true and unchanging. Throughout its almost-200-year presence in the world, the essential doctrines making up the Church have remained the same. If you want to know more about Mormons and what they have to share, you can talk to missionaries right here.

Learning more about the world around us can help increase our faith in God.

For example, throughout scripture God commonly uses the concept of light as His preferred metaphor for Himself. To many this would merely be an accepted condition and they would move on to read the rest of the verse, but to me, as I study light in my physics classes at BYU, I understand the great meaning that can be drawn from this name alone. For example, light is used to not only expel darkness and bring warmth, but it is also the byproduct of electrons bumping up an energy level and thus emitting a photon.

This can be compared to God’s presence becoming more and more evident in our life as we ascend to higher spiritual levels. In addition, light is the only material that is truly constant in the universe—being the basis of all the equations and theories that we have,—just as God is the only true and unchangeable constant in the universe, the only constant upon which if we build we can never ever fall. And finally, light is the only material that is both a particle and a wave, and whose behavior varies upon whether or not we are observing it (double-slit experiment). A single photon will inexplicably behave as a wave if unobserved, but once placed under the scrutiny of the human eye it will behave as it should, or rather as a particle. Similarly, God does not always act the way we expect, seeing as we are observing a celestial and infinite subject through finite mortal eyes, as He says “for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8).

This week for my religion class at BYU I was reading in the Book of Mormon from the book of the early American Prophet Jacob who lived several hundred years before the birth of Christ. In the fourth chapter he warns against those who “despise the words of plainness and killed the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand” (Jacob 4:14). It goes on to tell how because of their pride God took away that which was easy to understand and gave them that which was difficult, for that is what they desired. And because of this they stumbled. Or in other words they fell away from the truth and became lost and confused in their own ways. Although I appreciate and love physics, and it does open my mind to many interesting insights, such as that with light, I need to slow myself down sometimes. For I have found that the most precious and wonderful concepts I gain are from the sweet and simple basic principles taught by the Savior, not the deep doctrine I sometimes aspire after. And just like a baby must begin with milk and work up to meat, so it is with me. And sometimes I need to remember to bite off only that which I can chew, and by doing so, I always gain the most.

This article was written by Rachel G., a student studying physics at Brigham Young University and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

10 All they shall speak and say unto thee: Art thou also become weak as we? Art thou become like unto us?

11 Thy pomp is brought down to the grave; the noise of thy viols is not heard; the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! Art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thy heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north;

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.

15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and shall consider thee, and shall say: Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms?

17 And made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof, and opened not the house of his prisoners?

Through Christ we can overcome everything Satan throws at us.

It’s so intriguing to me. Isaiah talks about all the things that Lucifer (the devil) is known for. What great power and potential he had. Son of the Morning! He was a mighty one before God at one point, but his pride filled him with rage. With his cunning and rage he shook kingdoms and destroyed cities. Yet, for all that, when the time comes he will be subject to justice because Jesus Christ took everything he could throw at him and overcame it. Now we know that Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Master of All, the Great I AM. It doesn’t surprise us that Christ will be victorious over the adversary. What does strike me most is the reaction that we will have. Verses 16-17 we’re told that we will see Satan there, I picture him huddled dejectedly in chains, and when we see him we will say: “Really? This is the guy? The one responsible for so many terrible tragedies and so much hate and destruction? This guy right here?” We won’t believe our eyes, he will seems so impotent. To me that’s so fascinating. In our lives right now we think of the devil as if he has so much power to come and destroy our world, like some huge dragon. The truth is he only has as much power as we give him! He gets his way and causes so much devastation by spreading lies with a silken tongue. We have the choice whom we will allow to direct us, however, and if we give in to temptation than we allow Satan greater power and influence over us. But we don’t have to! Christ, our Savior, will be victorious and with Him we can completely overcome the adversary! I love to tell people this, especially those struggling with addiction or similar things because you realize the winning team is recruiting and desperately wants us on their side. Jesus is the answer, He will be the victor and wants to help us to overcome as well. All we have to do is believe that and live His teachings, and when the time comes we will look at Satan with the satisfaction that with the Lord’s help we did not fall victim to him.

I know that Christ is our Savior and we can join with Him by learning His words and living them. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, teaches plainly and completely what we must do and we can draw nearer to God through living its teachings than in any other way.

This article was written by Stuart M., a student studying pre-med at Brigham Young University and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Stuart is from Las Vegas and enjoys playing sports, studying, and listening to music.

“But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.”

The Lord wants us to come to Him so He can help us make decisions.

Nephi is reminding those who read his words of a powerful principle. If we are trying to do something “unto the Lord” it is imperative that we pray to Heavenly Father about it. This way He will be able to make our experience something that will enable us to obtain our goal of eternal life. Perhaps the strongest word employed by the prophet Nephi is anything. There should not be anything that we are doing which is not “unto the Lord,” and thus if we take the proper steps there should not be anything in our lives which is not being consecrated by the Lord for our eternal welfare. School, work, relationships, service—these are all facets of our lives where we can obtain incredible support from our Heavenly Father.

A month ago I began volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club here in Provo. Each Tuesday I spend around two hours there helping underprivileged children ages 5 to 7. We work on homework, have snack time, play outside, and do artwork. Walking the mile to the building on my first week as a volunteer I said a silent prayer to my Heavenly Father asking that I might be able to positively affect the lives of the children I was about to meet. As I was there, an image came into my mind of the beautiful painting by Carl Bloch of the Savior at the waters of Bethesda where He ministered one by one to those who were sick and afflicted. On a much smaller scale I was also ministering one by one, as I helped children who were lonely, poor, or sad. Afterward, as I walked back to my apartment I realized that this service had left me feeling closer to my Heavenly Father more than almost anything else I have done since coming to Brigham Young University. Since that time I have tried even harder to make this service a matter of prayer with Heavenly Father, and I have felt him truly consecrate my performance; my weekly visit at the Boys & Girls Club has become necessary for the welfare of my soul.

I’m thankful for the understanding I have of my Heavenly Father, an understanding that comes through my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Through reading scriptures like the one mentioned above I have realized that the Savior actually cares about every aspect of my life and if I will but pray to Him I can receive support in all of my endeavors.

This article was written by Katie S., a student and Brigham Young University and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

One of the more prominent parts of the Book of Mormon that talks of helping the poor among us is from the book of Jacob. Jacob was a prophet among the nation of the Nephites (the “father” of their nation was Nephi, who left Jerusalem in the year 600 BC, 13 years before the city was destroyed by the Babylonians) who was commanded to tell the people to repent of their ways and return to God. One of the sins that the Nephites were struggling with was pride. Many of them believe that because they had more money and riches compared to others, that they were better than the poor. Jacob tells them that this is a false assumption, and that everyone is equal to each other. He tells them that if they do seek for riches, that the riches should be used “for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and afflicted” (Jacob 2:19).

By paying tithing and fast offerings Church members help provide for the Church’s needs and for the poor and needy.

As members of the Church today we try to do this. One of the ways we do this is a “fast offering” fund. A fast offering fund is where members of the Church, or anyone who wants to participate, donate money to the cause of helping others that are going through financial struggles. By doing this, those who need the money will receive it. What is amazing is 100% of the money donated is given to the cause of those in need. Now-a-days, many charities only give a portion of the money donated to the actual cause. With our Fast Offerings, 100%, and no less, goes to those who need it. We also have what is called tithing, where members give 10% of all their income to the effort to help build our Church. It is used to build more church buildings, and things of that nature. None of the money donated ever is given to our clergymen; they do not have salaries at all. They do not get paid a penny for all the time and effort they put into helping out the Church.

My parents, after each paycheck they get, pay both tithing and fast offering. Because of this economy, everyone has had a hard time, my family included. We moved in the summer of 2007, around when the house market started to fall. Over 5 years later, we have yet to sell our old house, making it sometimes hard to pay bills for two houses. No matter how tight money got, we would always pay 10% for tithing, and what we could for fast offering. Because of this, we have ALWAYS been able to pay each monthly bill. It is because God blessed us that we have been able to get through these five years. I know that if we use our money for the right purposes, God will bless us, and help us out. I know this Church is true. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that if we choose to do the right, we will be blessed.

This article was written by Laura R., a student at Brigham Young University and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

When we put spiritual things first, we will find that we will still have enough time to make everything work.

As a new freshman in college, I often feel the stress of assignments and tests. Quite often, I think of skipping church activities or not fulfilling my church responsibilities to the fullest. I notice that when I skip these things, I can get the work done, but I will be easily distracted and the quality of the work will be less than satisfactory. When I do take the time to put spiritual matters first, I find myself more focused and motivated when I come back to do my work. Things usually work out for the better when I set aside a little time to put church before everything else in my life.

Jacob, a prophet in the Book of Mormon, also spoke to his people on this same matter. Jacob’s people were becoming wicked and prideful in their riches and success. They did not realize that God was the reason for their success, so they boasted of their own greatness and thought that they were better than less wealthy people. Jacob taught them a great lesson. In Jacob 2:18-19, he said, “before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good.”

When we seek for the kingdom of God, we do everything we can to come closer to Jesus Christ. We follow God’s commandments, we study the life of Christ through the scriptures, we repent when we make mistakes, we give up material goods to give to others instead, and we do everything we can to become like Christ. We will be able to accomplish the things that God intends for us if we put Him first in our lives.

If we do these things, we will obtain riches. However, these riches may not always be in the form of worldly wealth. Riches can be in the form of talents that we use to bless other people’s lives. Riches can also be the heavenly reward waiting for us after this life. Riches can also be success in jobs. It is important to realize that if we truly seek for the kingdom of God and obtain hope in Christ, we will not want these riches for our own monetary gain. We will seek to bless others’ lives with the riches that we gain, no matter what form they come in. We will truly “seek them for the intent to do good.”

I have seen so many blessings in my life in direct correspondence to my obedience to the will of God. I am truly grateful for those blessings. I hope that I can follow Jacob’s teachings and bless the lives of others through the things that I gain from my Heavenly Father.

This article was written by Kristen B., a student at Brigham Young University and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We can find the kingdom of God through serving and being friends to others.

In the world that we live in, we are bombarded with material things and it’s so easy for them to become our obsessions. I finally got an iPhone at the beginning of this year, and now the iPhone 5 has just come out. It’s so easy for me to want the new version but the same thing goes with every other gadget out there, and with cars and clothes and all the new trends that come out every season. What do I do? Do I buy all new ‘everything I own’ just because what I have is out of season? Well, of course not, but sometimes with what’s in the media, on TV, in the magazines, on the internet, and so on, I can feel like I have to keep up with what’s new because that is what’s cool, but what I have to remind myself and ask myself is, what is cool to the Lord? What does the Lord want me to do? He wants me to serve my fellow men. In verse 19 it also says that if ye seek for riches for the intent to do good like clothe the naked, feed the hungry, administer to the sick and so forth then ye shall obtain riches. One word that sticks out to me in this verse is “intent.” Here I am, a student at BYU, and basically my main intention of going to school is to be able to get a good job where I can receive a good income. The next question I ask myself is why do I want a good income? Is it because I want to be rich and to be able to buy nice expensive things? Well, this is where I can apply my intentions, and my intentions are so that I can be independent and I can be able to help provide for my family and give back to society. Our intentions are so important, and although it’s great for all of us to want to be successful, we should also remember that the Lord wants us to be successful too, but in accordance with His plan. An important part of our Heavenly Father’s plan for us is service. By losing ourselves in His work we will be able to save our souls. I know that no matter what our financial circumstances may be, if we always put the Lord first we will obtain riches, and even if they’re not physical, the spiritual riches will be blessings that no money can buy.

This article was written by Maliana T, a student studying mathematics at Brigham Young University and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Maliana is from Minnesota and enjoys spending time with her husband and her four-year-old daughter.