It All Comes Down To This

You should know that we’re telling you these things to justify ourselves but instead so that you should know the truth.

It’s a convenient package to tell our story as this:  A couple was tired of working their jobs, so they quit them, sold all of their stuff and hit the road in search of an adventure.

Certainly, there is some truth to that.  There are many sides of our story.  But I can assure you that simply being tired or annoyed with our jobs would not be enough to precipitate such a drastic action.

After all, 90% of Americans are to some degree unhappy with their jobs.

The first and most important piece of our thread is about Jesus.

We knew when we were living our lives as Americans are taught to live them that there must be more to life.  We knew we believed that faith and obedience to Jesus are the only way to live a fulfilling life.

So we had to ask ourselves, do our lives show that?  The answer was no.

The answer wasn’t “no” because we were some sort of heinous sinners and drunkards.  In fact, just the opposite.

We went to church, we gave large portions of our income away, we spent hours and hours each week volunteering with our church youth group.

So, we decided that if we wanted to radically obey Jesus, why not try radically obeying Jesus?

Jesus says at least a dozen times in the gospels that we should leave the world behind—friends, family, money and whatever other attachments we have.  Sell all your possessions, he said.  Give to the poor, he said.  And follow him.

So we sold and gave away our possessions.

Now we try and follow him.  Now we try and find people that need help in order to demonstrate the love of Jesus.

But you’re right, if we just wanted to help people we could have done that in Columbus, Ohio.

I think we’re out here for three reasons.

#1 – A radical demonstration of faith.
We pray that by our example our friends would see that we are not completely full of shit.  When we talk of abandoning the Earth for Jesus, we really mean it.  We want our lives to be a demonstration that our trust in Jesus is greater than our trust in jobs, health care, and easy living.

#2 – We’re here to learn.
In order to help people to the best of our ability, we need to go out into the world and find out how people live.
There is no better way to learn to trust in God than to thrust ourselves into a place that requires absolute faith.

#3 – We’re out here to help people.
We pray that others are inspired by our message.  We pray that others see us and question their lifestyles.
Maybe people will ask, does my faith really look like what Jesus said it should?
Does my church look like the church in the book of Acts?
Christians, as a religious culture, have become very good at figuring out, and rationalizing, why Jesus didn’t really mean what he said.
Jesus knew what he was saying.

We had to demonstrate to ourselves that we’re committed to Jesus, as well.  For a time, we need to remove the distractions and temptations of the easy American life.

Believe it or not, we had good jobs.  We stayed at them for a year to be honorable, and then we left because it’s a worthless and unproductive way to live our lives.

If we say that we believe in Jesus, and we believe that the bible is truth, then what excuse could there possibly be to not spend 100% of our time and resources trying to convince others of that.

We’re all dying.  Many of us, through our faith in Jesus Christ, the one and only son of God and only way to heaven, are going to spend eternity with the one true living God.

I don’t know what that heaven will look like, but I am certain of this:  This life is worthless.

There should be no greater joy in life than serving Jesus to the best of our ability.

For us that means abandoning the world of possessions, retirement and an easy life.  For us that means devoting ourselves 100% to the pursuit of God.

Jesus message was very simple.

Comments

I commend you for searching the pearl of great price.  You may call me crazy, but you’re passing right through the valley that has it.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the New Testament Church restored to earth.  As you read the record in Acts and the other descriptions of His kingdom by the Lord himself, please search and see if the Church here is not what each of you is looking for.

Best wishes on your journey,

Jeff

I’ve taken a look at your “religion”, and I can’t say it corresponds with Jesus’ message at all.

In fact, many aspects are in direct conflict with his message, and contradictory to one another.

I would encourage you to read the gospels, and compare your beliefs to that of the one true son of God.

The Bible is very clear: one God, one heaven, one salvation—and it is not of ourselves, it is a gift from God.

Only faith in Jesus Christ alone results in salvation.  Each of us in community is the temple of the holy spirit.

God does not dwell in houses built by human hands.

If anyone would like to send me a personal write-up of the Mormon belief system, I will gladly take it into account and post it here.  SimplyOneLife@gmail.com.

Check out www.mormon.org and www.lds.org for information concerning the beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Beyond that, I would recommend finding a copy of The Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ and sincerely read and pray about it, having an open heart and a contrite spirit. There are many misconceptions about the Mormon religion, and it saddens me when I hear people talk negatively about something they don’t really understand. I believe that our Savior wants us to live our lives with meaning and purpose, doing all we can to serve others. That’s one of the main doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and it’s how I strive to live my life. Everyday, my goal is to touch the lives of those whom I come in contact with, wherever I happen to be. I’m glad to hear of others who are spreading good works and kindness. We could use much more of that in our world. Good luck on your travels - I’ve been traveling much myself lately, and meeting such wonderful people really makes the journey worth while! Take care.

Dear Brad & Melissa,
Praise the Lord for your message of the gospel!!  It is always so uplifting to see the beautiful message of Salvation by Grace here in Utah.  It isn’t always noticed or given such publicity.
As for a brief description of LDS beliefs, you will not find one.  You will find that when you visit with each individual LDS member, that they each have their own thoughts on what “the church” believes.  But the previous mentioned websites do have the “official stance” on many LDS beliefs.  But they do not have the actual belief of the church members in majority, or what is actually taught in classes.
I pray that your witness for Christ has planted many seeds of truth through our great nation! 
Thank you for being faithful,
Amanda

Dear Brad & Melissa,

My apologies if I offended either of you with my first comment.  I actually really really like what you have to say and spoke quickly and from my heart concerning this church I am a member of simply because it means so very much to me and I desired to share that with you, hoping it would be beneficial.  I do not belittle you in any way though for not agreeing with me.  In fact, I commend you for your sincere desires and efforts to do good!
Just a quick explanation of my thinking:  The reason I believe so deeply in this church (which really is not isolated to this valley but is international and continuing to grow) is because I deeply believe it was not created by man, but by the Lord Himself preparatory to His second coming.  Angels from heaven established it according to His direction, for the priesthood was no longer on the earth, and this was needed to baptize and conduct the affairs of His kingdom here on earth.  And so we ever strive to do what He would have us do in conducting His affairs.  That is our belief.  Bold I know, and I don’t blame you or criticize you for not accepting it, but it is what we as members believe and hold dear.  We know we are not perfect, far from it.  And yes, I wholeheartedly agree, salvation is only through Jesus!  And o how wonderful is His grace and mercy!  We truly are nothing of ourselves.  Though hard for me to describe in words, I do love you and thank you for your desires to do what Jesus would have you do.  My heart, like yours, feels great joy each time I make the choice to do something the Savior taught me to do in the Bible (that yes, I do read and study and ponder over) and in other records I hold dear.  Isn’t it great that we have ancient records of His teachings and don’t need to wonder what He would have us do?  Of course there can be differences in our interpretations of these records and I feel that’s what is keeping us apart, but I believe the Lord blesses every sincere seeker of truth and doer of His words whether in this life or the next.  And in fact, because of His great mercy and love, He is blessing all of His children, causing the sun to shine on both the evil and on the good.

I sincerely wish you the very best in your continued service in the Savior’s name.  I wish I could give you two a big hug so you could know how much I really mean that.

Love,

Jeff