MY THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS ABOUT GOD

In recent years, I’ve had conversations with several strangers about their faith: where does it come from and what sustains it? A common thread in many of their replies has been some experience with God’s power and a hope in his teachings and promises. They’ve spoken of Him reaching out to them and guiding, even transforming their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
He has similarly revealed himself to me a little at a time. I get a sort of outline of His character by the commandments and teachings He’s revealed to prophets ancient and modern. When I hear these teachings, they spark something in me. “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (New International Version, Romans 10:17). Central to the message of the prophets is deliverance from sin and death through the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I am moved that a perfectly pure being would face the whole of evil and filth so that he could conquer it by love. In the words of a hymn “I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine to rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine” (I Stand All Amazed). As I’ve tried to live by God’s revealed word, I’ve had more and more experiences like those of the people I’ve spoken with where I feel Him reaching into my life and calling me into continual newness. To an ancient people, Jesus said “will [you] not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?” (Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 9:13) His question is continually before me as a loving invitation. It’s as if he is asking: “now will you return unto me…how about now…now will you?” Inasmuch as I’ve responded yes, He has made good on His promise to heal.
These experiences with Jesus give a little more clarity and resolution to my relationship with this initially mysterious being we call Father. That title alone teaches me so much. I have experienced the love of earthly parents and am striving to be a loving father myself. Having felt God’s goodness and believing that all good things come from Him, I find myself surrounded by God. Simple joy in my family, a feeling to check in with a friend, a solution to a problem, the beauty of the natural world, music that carries me to different times, places, and emotions, using the gifts I’ve been given to lift the burdens of others, being lifted by people in my life, creating beautiful and functional things…I see God in all of this. He’s the salt bringing out the flavors of life--the high place giving refuge and perspective.    
I can’t imagine a more compelling concept of God. My witness is that Jesus is the Savior of us all. He was sent by a loving Father (His Father and ours). This witness has come by the power of the Holy Spirit and has been reaffirmed again and again by my interactions with Deity. I love God because He loved me first. One prophet declared that “the love of God…sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things…and the most joyous to the soul” (Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 11:22) It’s my prayer that we will recognize that love and let it pull us deeper into a nurturing and transformative relationship with God.
Sincerely,
Adam Duckett