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MormonTimes.com: President Uchtdorf calls increasing faith a 'noble task'

Clinging to belief the Mormon faith is self delusional. It requires more and more incredulity and naivete given the evidence of modern science.

I choose to follow a prophet who teaches sound principles such as Strengthening Faith in Christ and strengthening marriages. I know that following this counsel will help my family and me.

Increasing ones faith with the arrogant is hard.

Thanks... I will. Bellieving in Science over God is, in my opinion, a much better description of "self delusion." More and more scientists are finding evidence that supports relegious truths, and yes, even Mormonism, so back at you....believe what YOU will.

When one really comes to know God, and feels his love, they realize the delusion is that this life is all there is. Modern science testifies of God. Faith usually begins when when the hope in this world ends. I love being naive enough to belive there is a God in Heaven who loves me and that he is my Father. I have put my simple trust in him, and he has always answered my prayers. Thank you for letting me belive what I will. The answer comes from within, not just from evidence seen with mortal eyes. That answer is not always to remain a matter of faith. It can grow to the point of knowlege but requires to trust in that spirit that is in each of us that prompts us to do good. I will continue to hold tightly onto my faith for it has brought me more joy and happiness than I ever thought possible. My evidence is very personal and real.
Being skeptical is important, it was questioning things that brought me my answer. God bless you. I know he will.

I see that all the snapping turtles are all on here bright and early from both sides. What a bunch!

Only frauds require faith.

Re:Believe what you will

God and the Holy Ghost are Mormon's imaginary friends. You don't trust them-you trust what LDS leaders have told you is God and the Holy Ghost. You can no more show that the feelings of your heart after prayer come from God than from invisible fairies.

Believe What You will and Re: Dan,

Why do you find it worth your while to insult another person's religious beliefs?

To RE; Dan 9:29

It is so easy to link all people into one. You do not know me nor my trials or my prayers - you also do not know the answers that I as an individual have received. You do not understand my testimony and what has brought it about. I choose to believe in God and His prophets and I follow the leadership because that is what I as an American given the freedom of religion choose to do. I will not belittle you for believe that you have - please give do the same for me.

The detractors in this blog should try reading C.S. Lewis. An avowed atheist, Lewis was converted to Christianity by J.R.R. Tolkien. Read his stuff.

I find expressing my reasons why religious belief is non-sensical to be much more tolerant and less offensive than preaching that those who reject my beliefs are doomed to hell or an eternal 'degree of glory' inferior to my own. Besides I see no reason why religious belief is entitled to any respect-I certainly respect a person's choice to believe whatever they want-but I do not respect a person touting their belief as absolute truth when it can so easily be demonstrated as illogical.

To: Believe @ 7:40 & Re: Dan @ 9:29:

None of us has to justify our faith to YOU. Just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean it's not true. We believe because we've had manifestations of the truth. We have not been deluded, we have not been brainwashed, and many of us have just as much, if not more, education as you do. We are not ignorant of scientific theories. If you choose not to believe in something you can't see with your natural eyes, that's your decision. Nobody is forcing you to agree with us. Just please stop the unprovoked attacks on what we choose to do. It's entirely none of your business what each of us believes in our hearts.

faith and the promptings of the Holy Ghost may not be tangable evidence to those who choose not to believe for they are those who need rock solid hard evidence to believe any truth.I think there are many who say all is false until proven true.Belief in religion does not require knowledge;only faith.Once you define what is needed on either side of the coin,that is scienctific proof or religous faith,then you make a choice which path to follow and proceed.We can try to convert one side over to the other but bashing either by both sides is senseless.But then as people we tend to ignore the common ground and choose contention over matters pertaining to God.Where contention is,God is not.

None of us understand each other. Just quit being so judgmental.

I guess this is a good place to make a comment on the subject of faith in God and no faith in God. We (I am LDS, but "NOM" to some degree...), need to understand those that don't believe in all the church teaches (it's history also...) or don't believe in God at all (atheists). As you all know, this life leaves some pretty big question marks in our understanding of some important stuff (ie, what happens when we die?, etc.). None of us know these answers for sure. I know we use the word "know", but we really don't, we have faith. So, a word of advice:

1. Atheists have a valid viewpoint, just as much as ours. They could be right, we may disagree, but they are not stupid.
2. NOM folks, people like me, who have serious doubts about the LDS church are not stupid either. We would like to "build faith", but we NEED an honest dialogue from our leaders on the aspects of Mormon history (and some doctrine...) that are troubling. Simply pushing aside valid questions is not going to work for us.

OK, hopefully this did not offend and will get printed.

The problem Sarah is it isn't simply 'in your heart'. You teach all those around you that the things you believe are absolute truth based on the interpretation of things you have labeled as 'spiritual' even though you haven't established the validity of that methodology. (Certainly you are educated, but so are numerous believers of numerous other faiths-it simply demonstrates the ability of the brain to compartmentalize.) Your children and grandchildren and others under your religious influence will vote according to the mandates of your religion based on this indoctrination and they will convince themselves and others that they will suffer in torment in the after-life for disobeying your religion's edicts-that is a huge impact and so yes, it should be scrutinized and even demeaned if found to be based on unreasonable assumptions.

Faith in what? When Mormons have 'faith' that the sensations following prayer are from God they are having faith in the guy who told them that was the case. Such a manipulative process easily allows the proponent of such a faith-based test to lead people to the conclusion the proponent desires. It is not a matter of personal preference but a matter of misleading and manipulating.

To Tolerance,

Your approach is reasonable in that it places both believers and nonbelievers on a level playing field. In reality, atheists are NOT on the same playing field with believers. Believers are trying to convince nonbelievers to change their beliefs. Atheists (at least the ones I hang out with) are NOT trying to convince believers of anything. Believers feel an obligation to "spread the gospel". Atheists only try to convince believers they are wrong AFTER believers have already tried to force their own beliefs on us!

Yaaawwwwn.

The atheists on this thread are absolutely trying to convince believers they are wrong.

There must be Mormons out there somewhere who try and force their beliefs on others but I have never seen it. Offering information and asking the person to decide for themselves is not force.

To those who are struggling with doctrine, I can tell you from personal experience that patience, faith and in depth study can bring very solid answers with time. I love to study science, especially physics and astronomy, to help elaborate on the truths of the gospel. I don't need them but it is exciting to see the perfection of the gospel.