I believe that Jesus is the ruler of all earthly rulers and was sent by God to lead every person on earth to the pure light of peace and truth. This truth is best exemplified in the testaments of the Gospel. I believe that Jesus is our brother and that all people are children of God through obedience to scripture that clearly guides us to the love and wisdom of God. I believe the ministry of Jesus Christ demonstrated the power of God to humanity and proved his complete obedience to God's will. I believe that Jesus was fully human, that his suffering and death fulfilled the messianic prophecy, and that his faith to serve God to his death relieves all blood guilt from those who are faithful to God through Christ. His crucifixion also exposes the cruelty people show to each other and the extent that evil feelings and thoughts can lead us from God.
I believe that the nature of humankind is incomplete and prone to ignornance, so we all have an inherent need for the gifts of God and His grace. I believe that the love of God is in all ways superior to the natural loves among people, so we love others best by seeking His love and letting it overpower and control our natural but lower loves. I believe that human knowledge and ingenuity are in much the same way a dim reflection of the wisdom of God, and that we progress religiously and scientifically when and only when we seek eternal and universal sources of wisdom. I believe that it is primarily because of neediness and ignorance that vice afflicts people, so it is our duty to show generosity and respect the wise. I believe greed and prejudice are the worst evils of the world and flow naturally from uncontrolled neediness and ignorance. The key to controlling vice is obedience to the will of God and the dedication of each individual to imitate His characteristics.
I believe that the study of scripture is the best way to understand and draw closer to God. I believe that the Bible in its many forms is by far the most refined example of scripture yet revealed. I believe that the Book of Mormon is also the word of God; as such, I am an elder in the Latter Day Saints and will remain one unless God wills otherwise or I am excommunicated for ethical dissent. I believe that the Recital is scripture and that its basic principle and virtue - Islam is in great harmony with both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I have endeavored to study it in English translation, but have yet to learn sufficient Arabic or find an inspired American version to help me better understand the nuance of a surrendered life. I believe the Book of the Way is most useful in understanding the laws of God and harmony with His will. To call this book scripture would probably be inaccurate since its primary function is to expose the limitations of language in describing the eternal. Still, I believe it holds high utility for those people who seek greater alignment with universal truth. I have also studied the Proverbs of Confucius, the Celestial Song, some Zen Buddhist poetry, and native American oral tradition. I believe that God's love and wisdom permeates these sources and that benefits and blessings will flow to anyone who studies them in earnest.
Finally, I believe that life is fair. I am certain that this world and indeed the whole cosmos obeys unchanging principles of cause and effect. I believe that the good we do for others strengthens us and makes us more willing and able to receive good in return. I believe that the harm we cause others tends to weaken our defenses against those who wish and are able to retaliate and that this weakness makes it harder to escape suffering. I admit that people do not always act in harmony with this universal justice, but I believe absolutely nothing escapes the notice of God and evil acts will always find their way back to the unjust person. I recognize that the rewards of kindness and tolerance may not always be immediate or in exact kind, but I believe that promoting love and wisdom is overall worth the expense. I accept that the punishments for acting out of greed and prejudice may not always come as swiftly or in the exact manner as the victims of evil acts would prefer, but I believe that harming others inevitably destroys the person acting in violence and vice. I believe God is with us, and I seek His love and His wisdom. Please join me.
-Peace and Truth
Mark F. Crist
markezuma@yahoo.com