My hometown is Bozeman, Montana. I was born to loving parents, who taught me and my siblings to work hard, study hard, and help others.
When I was about 8 years old, my then 3-yr-old sister, contracted a serious case of pneumonia. She had to be flown to another state for several months of intensive care, and at times the doctors were unsure that she would live. She’s a sweet girl who has Downs Syndrome and I really hoped and prayed that she would recover. This was the first time I remember praying intensely for something important to me. I had been taught by my parents that God is our Heavenly Father, and that we can pray to Him and rely on Him in times of need. I remember pleading that my sister’s life would be spared, and receiving feelings that God had heard me, and that He was willing to save her life.
She made a full recovery, and she has been a treasure in our family.
Personal beliefs and personal experiences with the spiritual world vary widely. This merits our respectful consideration and seeking to understand. My journey to come to understand better the realities of spiritual things has been informed and enhanced by my faith in Jesus Christ, and His restored Gospel; the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My journey has required significant effort, and I’ve learned that such effort is always worth it.
We live in a world that neither forces us to believe, nor not to believe. We must do our best to sift through all the evidence and make our choices. Our faith in what is true is or what is not, really does matter, and really does impact the quality of our lives.
There is no doubt that a man named Jesus Christ lived, and that something world-changing was sparked by Him. As I’ve read the words of his followers about what He said and did, I have felt a stirring in my soul that His words are true and that there is a spiritual world that merits our attention and preparation. Many people have felt this same truth. But in our world today, there are many opposing forces to drown out his quiet simple message, so that many of us find it difficult to maintain faith in Him or focus on his path. Many people have spiritual feelings, yet, many have dismissed or discarded our Christian heritage because of past mistakes made in the name of religion.
After the life and mission of Jesus Christ was completed, His disciples and Apostles were persecuted and many were killed. In the centuries that followed, we’ve had the dark ages. Most people agree that there was a major falling away from the teachings of Jesus Christ. Eventually many brave reformers protested the corrupt practices and beliefs that had developed. Martin Luther was my 16th great-grandfather, was one of them. They improved the situation by expanding religious freedom and inviting people to return to the original teachings of Jesus Christ.
Yet they were not prophets, authorized witnesses in the sense that Peter and Paul and the other Apostles had been. They did not receive God’s authority in the same way, nor did they have the revelations to fully correct the inherited misunderstandings of God’s teachings.
What corrections were needed? Actually really big ones. Changes in the core understanding of the nature of God and our relationship to him; the reality of our pre-mortal existence and the purpose for which we chose to come to earth for this challenging education of mortality; The nature and destiny of mankind; and the authority to teach and perform Jesus Christ’s ordinances such as baptism.
God our Father knew this would happen, and has not left us helpless. He reached out to restore the correct understanding of Himself and the gospel taught by His Son. When the time was right He raised up new authorized witnesses of His truth, just as he has done previously.
He calls them now as well. And He is calling on all people to repent and prepare for the second coming of His Son.
I had the opportunity to serve as a representative of his, in Mongolia from 2007 – 2009. My purpose was to help others come closer to Him, to lift burdens, bring hope and invite people on the path that leads to His brighter future for them. I felt His help, in learning the Mongolian language, and understanding hearts, and finding ways to serve. I treasure my time then, and I seek to treasure my Walk with Him still today.
Life is busy and full. I find it easy to give my attention to things that matter less than my relationship with God, and commitment to follow the example of Jesus Christ. But I find that each time I remember Him and try to course-correct, He is there, willing to listen and help and invite me to the kind of life that is richer and more full of experiences with people that mean the most to me.
I think one cannot know of Spiritual things without having a desire, and being humble, and asking. Jesus described spiritual realities as being on the other side of a door, but we must knock.
I am a witness that if you knock, He will respond!
He also said that He gives us light line upon line, step by step. So there are a series of doors, each opening to a brighter lighted room, and He will lead us on and up into the full daylight.
Jesus taught that we come from God, that very person has a Divine purpose and potential. This life on earth is a challenging phase of our eternal journey, but it is not end.
I admit that many times I am inconsistent in applying this grander view of life and people. But when I do, He helps me treat people better, and I have greater ability to resist distractions. I am not perfect, but I am committed to always trying again. I am deeply grateful for my opportunities to try again. I believe Jesus came to give us the second chances we need: as many 2nd and 3rd and 47th chances as it takes, so long as we have desire to realize our full potential as Children of God, to grow up and claim our birthright.
I love the words of God in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I treasure the knowledge we get through mankind’s pursuit of knowledge (science) and I appreciate the ongoing struggle of humanity to understand our place in the universe, understand right and wrong, and understand the entire human experience. That journey is far from over, and requires our ongoing listening and thinking and feeling, and courage.
I believe my ancestors who knew Joseph Smith. They really knew that God really called an American farmboy to be His Prophet and start the restoration of truths and powers that will change the world and prepare us for the second coming of His Son. That work continues and is accelerating, through His chosen prophet today, President Russell Nelson.
This work will reach you. It will respect your free-will to choose. It will bless you and your family if you let it. God, our Father, will reach all of His children, and bless them, and gather them, as much as they will allow Him to.
If you, my friends who read this do not know whether this is true, take it to the Source, and ask for help in your quest for truth. I have done that and I’m striving to continue to do that. The process is humbling and challenging; be prepared for that. It is also deeply rewarding.
Since my sister’s life was spared, God has given me many more answered prayers. He will answer your prayers. He will find ways to show the deep love and respect that He has for you. We need each other on the path back to Him. May He bless you, and make your life richer and deeper.
I invite all of us to continue to learn about and follow the example of Jesus Christ.
The content at this link can help. https://www.comeuntochrist.org
I plan to post more content about the purpose of life, our premortal existence and the helps Christ has given us for living meaningful lives, strengthening our families and other relationships.
Thanks for reading, and being part of the conversation.
-Ben Mortenson
When did you first experience an awakening to spiritual realities?
When have you felt God answered your prayer?
What helps you keep seeing people in your life as children of God with a degree of Divine nature and potential?
On the Path of Life... 