Let us briefly look at the focus of people in religious circles and what makes they faithful or not.
A person who reads the scriptures and from what is read, makes the effort to follow the teachings found in God’s word. Whether this be from the Bible or both the Bible and Book of Mormon, this person shows to be a good person doing good things. Assisting others, helping the hungry and needy, volunteers to groups that helps others as the sick, handicap, the less fortunate. Never seeking contention or endless argument or debate, but seeks edifying discussions that serves to strengthen or sustain good faith. Whether a member of this Church or not, this person shows the “spirit” chosen for their life and daily focus. For a good part of their daily life, they are peaceful and cheerful.
What of another type of person? One who takes argument as the main focus in religious things or even in life. Seeking out to debate and show how good their “beliefs” are. Spending their time reading material that is argumentative and constantly critical, written to slice apart another group or set of beliefs. This person spends their time speaking about their personal issues toward any group or people and works many hours to “update” on things that permits further confrontations and fuel the debate. Whether this person is a member of this Church or not, he/she shows the “spirit” chosen for their life and daily focus.
Which one is a faithful focus and seeks to build faith with God? Which one is likely humble and kind to others?
This principle of what spirit you choose does determine your faith and focus to God. Whether your of this Church or not, how you choose to sustain your faith will show if you are truly faithful or just paying lip service.
When I experience those who try to confront me with all sorts of arguments, complaints and angry claims against my faith and this Church, I see misery in their hearts and minds, simply by the fruits of their labours and the “spirit of their words”. There is no good spirit in those people, even if they were good at one time. It is the same as a person who becomes hateful and mean, how dark and miserable they are to everything. I am sure you can agree to at least that last example, after all so many examples exist in life, literature, art, etc, that shows that very result because of hate.
What spirit we choose matters, not just for our spiritual life but for our daily life in this world. What spirit we choose also provides us the manner in which we perceive the world as well.
Choosing a good spirit toward things allows a person to easily see the misery others choose, but there is no hate toward them for it. A person who chooses a misery, angry, hateful or a contentious spirit toward things allows that person to see only darkness as he/she will hate or reject anything good.
Does that not clearly say that the one in the light can “see” better than the one in “darkness”?
Who would you think has the better chance of finding answers to personal concerns and seeing things for what they truly are? I will give a hint. The one in darkness cannot see anything clearly, as a dark shadow covers them.
So to those who question this Church, their faith, whether in or out of the Church, a good thing that they can do is choose a good spirit to light the way. This is the reason why God constantly tells us in the scriptures to be humble and have a contrite spirit.