37 | Striking the Balance: Navigating the Fine Line Between Casual and Rigid Faith

Show Notes:

In today’s episode, we’ll examine how to create a healthy faith balance. We're tackling the challenge of finding that sweet spot between a laid-back approach to spirituality and a rigid, unwavering stance. Get ready for eye-opening quotes and stories that help unravel the secrets of maintaining a healthy and enriching spiritual equilibrium. We'll explore the beauty of embracing diverse perspectives while still staying true to our core beliefs, discovering how this delicate balance can truly transform our faith journey. Don't miss out on this crucial episode on spiritual navigation.

 

Shine boldly and brightly and enjoy!

-Kendra

 

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President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"As we seek to follow the Savior, we should not assume that what worked for someone else will work for us. Let us each strive to align our actions with our beliefs but be gentle with ourselves and others when we stumble."

 

New For the Strength of Youth quote updated in 2022

“The purpose of For the Strength of Youth is not to give you a “yes” or “no” about every possible choice you might face. Instead, the Lord is inviting you to live in a higher and holier way—His way. This guide will teach you about His way. It explains truths He has revealed. Make these truths your guide for making choices—big choices, such as making covenants in the temple and serving a mission, as well as daily choices, such as how to treat people or how to spend your time.”

 

While others can help you, your spiritual growth is personal. It’s between you and the Lord. He knows your heart, and only He can be the ultimate Judge. Do your best to improve each day, keep God’s commandments and honor your covenants, and help others come closer to the Savior.”

 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Discipleship is not a casual sport. But, oh, we need to be careful that we don't turn it into an intense and permanent contest. Be believing, but be brief, be simple, be positive, be grateful, be true."

 

President Gordon B. Hinckley, a previous prophet of the church, talked about the importance of avoiding extreme or rigid views:

 

"We must not be extreme or fanatical. We can become fanatical in our politics, in our exercise, in our work, in our social life, in our desires, and, yes, in our religious observance." — Gordon B. Hinckley

 

“There is a careful way and a casual way to do everything, including living the gospel. As we consider our commitment to the Savior, are we careful or casual? Because of our mortal nature, don’t we sometimes rationalize our behavior, at times referring to our actions as being in the gray, or mixing good with something that’s not so good? Anytime we say, “however,” “except,” or “but” when it applies to following the counsel of our prophet leaders or living the gospel carefully, we are in fact saying, “That counsel does not apply to me.” We can rationalize all we want, but the fact is, there is not a right way to do the wrong thing!

 

I invite each of us to seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost to know what adjustments we need to make in our lives to be more carefully aligned with our covenants. I also plead with you not to be critical of others making this same journey.” -Becky Craven, April 2019 General Conference

 

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"As we grow in faith, we come to understand that while there are absolutes in the gospel, there are many paths to achieve them. We should respect individual agency and seek personal revelation to know the best way for ourselves."

 

President Russell M. Nelson

"Our Savior invites us to follow Him on the path of love and inclusion. We can be united in diversity. We should cherish each other's unique experiences and perspectives, recognizing that we are all children of God." 

 

James Goldsmith said, “Tolerance is a tremendous virtue, but the immediate neighbors of tolerance are apathy and weakness.”

 

Boyd K. Packer said, “Tolerance is a virtue, but, like all virtues, when exaggerated it transforms it into a vice. We need to be careful of the ‘tolerance trap’ so that we are not swallowed up in it.”

 

Elder Bednar also talked about tolerance saying the following: “The tyranny of tolerance suggests that we have to be accepting of someone else’s view, but that they don’t have to have any tolerance for our point of view. So tolerance goes both ways. The fact that we take a position and respectfully and thoughtfully articulate that position is not a judgment, it is just standing for what we believe to be true.” -David A. Bednar

 

One poet wrote “First we abhor, then we tolerate, and then we embrace.” 

 

“Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, As to be hated needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace.” -Alexander Pope

 

Elder Oaks spoke about Truth and Tolerance at a CES address. He said, 

“Tolerance is defined as a friendly and fair attitude toward unfamiliar or different opinions and practices or toward the persons who hold or practice them. As modern transportation and communication have brought all of us into closer proximity to different peoples and different ideas, we have greater need for tolerance.

 

…This greater exposure to diversity both enriches our lives and complicates them. We are enriched by associations with different peoples, which remind us of the wonderful diversity of the children of God. But diversity in cultures and values also challenges us to identify what can be embraced as consistent with our gospel culture and values and what cannot be.”