This means that every criminal, murderous, or evil person--even
Hitler, Stalin, Osama, Capone—every tough guy, every celebrity, every world
leader-- at one time was a pure infant who only wanted its mother’s milk and to
be cuddled. From the start of our lives all of us ached and lived for
nourishment and love. As we grew our needs changed, but the fact remains that
all of us are still big babies who crave love, attention, security, and
nourishment. Why do people kill other people? Why are we mean? Why are we
jealous? Why do we get angry? Why do we lie? Why are we cold? Why do we
withdraw? Why do we sometimes not care? Why do we do anything in life whether
good or bad? All because we are all still infants who are trying to meet some emotional
need to feel loved, approved, in control, and important.
Because everyone craves nourishment, I believe that everyone
should seek nourishment in the best way possible in order to enjoy a peaceful,
joyful, and meaningful life. When I say
best nourishment I think of the best nourisher: a good mother for a newborn
infant:
·
They are consistent
·
They give of themselves to meet the immediate
needs of their children
·
They know what is best for their child
So why am I a Mormon? Because being a Mormon has—in a deep,
rich, personal, amazing way—connected me to God who in turn has completely
nourished me the way a perfect parent would nourish a child. It teaches me why
we all have this need for nourishment—because before we were born we were with
God as a spirit and we yearn to return to him. It teaches me that in a literal
sense God is a perfect loving and nourishing parent who wants what is best for
me.
How do I receive this nourishment? Every morning before work
I pause to pray and instantly feel the love that God has for me fill my heart.
Every morning I read and listen to the word of God, which teaches me, and inspires
me. I feel it as I pray with my wife before I go to bed and read the word of
God with her. I feel this nourishment each week as I meet with other fathers
and we discuss the word of God. I feel it as I follow the eternal principles
that I learn about. I felt it as a missionary in Northern New Jersey as I
taught it to others. I also feel it once a month when I go to the Mormon temple—a
place for pondering, reflection, and deepening my ties to God. When I say word
of God I mean the scriptures and teachings of the prophets and apostles of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
For me this nourishment has been just as real and important
as the nourishment that a mother gives her newborn baby. It has made all of the
difference for my life because regardless of whatever external stress, pain, or
hardship comes into my life, I am peaceful and happy because I do not need to
rely on external forces for my happiness—God has already made me complete.
For me this has made all the difference. I’ve been able to
spend my time working hard, studying hard, and serving to bring joy to my
family and others all because my needs have already been met by God.
Not only has God nourished me—he has also directed. In every
major decision that I have made God has given me direction and impressions beyond
my own logic.
But being a Mormon has done more than give me good happy
feelings. Through it, I have, in deeply sacred and symbolic ways, made and
continue to make a complete commitment to center my life on improving the human
condition. Because of this commitment, doing good and helping others isn’t just
something I do in my spare time when I’m not working or having fun—it’s the central
focus of my whole existence. Being a Mormon reminds me every day, every hour,
every minute that life is not about getting rich or having fun, but about
bringing peace to humankind, and it teaches me and enables me to do it.
Not only has being a Mormon allowed me to make a commitment
to bring peace to others—it has connected me to others who are striving to do
the same and also given me a context to compel me to do it. At the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints no one is paid for the work they do—everyone is
given a responsibility and helps contribute. As a member of the church I have
been able to teach everyone from toddlers to grandparents how to live more
meaningful lives. I have been in the homes of some of the poorest and most
destitute people in this country and have been able to bring them hope and
comfort. I’ve been given opportunities to step outside the normal circle of
comfortable friends to know and love people from all walks of life. And while the members of the church are from
perfect, among them are some of the most genuine, inspiring, and caring people
I know. It takes a village to raise a child—and I am grateful that my sons will
grow up in a community of loving, and committed individuals who have devoted
their lives to helping others.
So although I was raised Mormon I don’t stay with the church
because of fear or habit. I stay and thrive because the church has given my
family and I joy and meaning in every corner of our lives and has helped us to
bring that same joy to others.
