The Power of Belief

I have often shared my testimony in Sunday meetings and used the word "know", such as "I know the church is true".  I have often heard others use that word as well as many of the other ways to express their feelings on the subject, such as "with every fiber of my being" and
without a shadow of a doubt".  I have a confession to make - I don't think I know anything.

I think that everytime I said I "know"...what I was really saying is that I choose to believe.  I believe that the sun will rise and set today just as it did yesterday, but I could choose to believe otherwise.  So, if I were to choose to believe that the sun will not rise and set as usual, how would that influence my behavior.

Suppose I have a limited knowledge of the effects of the sun on life in general, but understand that it is essential to growing a garden.  If I chose to believe that the sun would not rise, I would not plant seeds in my garden because I would have no hope for the seed to grow beyond sprouting.

Suppose that I chose to believe that because plant life is not possibe because I believe that the sun will not rise that any plants, fruits, vegetables, and etc sold in the stores are man made and therefore not healthy for me, I would stop eating those things and in turn, place my health in jeopardy.

My actions that are based on that one simple belief that the sun would not rise would eventually lead to my destruction, or in the very least the disintegration of my quality of life.  Because, in this scenario, I have chosen to believe that the sun will not rise, I will do what I can to protect that belief and maintain it by staying indoors during the day, and only venturing out at night.  This behavior would allow me to continue believing that the sun is not rising.  I would also cut off anything in my life that interfered with that belief such as TV shows that show the sun, because a picture of the sun in those shows would contradict my belief and I can't have anything in my life that would sway me from this belief.

I know the above scenario sounds absurd, but just think about this for a moment:  I am what I am, because I believe what I believe, I know what I know, because I believe what I Believe, and I have what I have, because I know what I know.  I don't have what I don't have because I don't know what I don't know, and I don't know what I don't know because I don't believe what I don't believe.

I heard this quote a long time ago, and I apologize that I cannot reference it, but it goes as this:

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results."

I do things the same way sometimes and expect that things in my life will be different.  In that I have found moments of insanity to be very unforgiving.  There are areas in my life that I need to change, and that change cannot happen unless I am willing to change my beliefs.  Even a desire to believe is a step in the right direction.  I have found by sad experience that believing in something that is false requires that I disbelieve in something that is true.  Take my sun scenario for instance: by believing that the sun will not rise, I disbelieve in the rising of the sun.  I know I did not need to point that out, but did so for clarification for my next thought which is this:  I believe that there is a God in heaven, and that he is the Father of my spirit.  I believe that I am made in His image.  I believe that He loves me.  I believe that I can become like Him, just as I can be like my mortal father here on earth.  I also believe that I fall short of that eternal blessing of having everything the He has because of my weakness, however, I also believe that He sent his Son to atone, and effectively, wiping out my weakness so as to return me to a state of perfection through His grace.  I believe that no other being that has ever lived or will live on this earth has the power to do that for me.

Because of these beliefs, I make an effort on a daily basis to keep my life in keeping with these beliefs, and I have experienced things that I am not at liberty to discuss here, but suffice it to say that my beliefs have made me a better person than I could have become if I did not believe as I do.

I know that if I am not happy with an aspect of my life, all I need to do is look at my belief that led me to the actions that caused my grief and every moment of introspection I had of this kind has always shown me the belief was not in keeping with God and His love for me.  To make a change was as simple as looking to Him, to my Savior, and seeking His guidance, and in every case, I have found peace and forgivness.

To be happy requires belief in correct principles that lead to it.