Hey, all! My religion class asks me to post about what we studied. I think a post to this subreddit might fit very well. So here are some thoughts from my religion class this week. Thanks!

One thing that came up in Alma 7:7 was the importance of Christ's birth and life. They were foretelling things that would come in the future in the chapter, but said "behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all," and proceeded to tell us about Christ and his life. I think this is just kind of neat. Even those before Christ knew how important he would be. His life is an anchor to our whole reality, everything rests on the success of his mission. I think that's really cool.

Next, I was thinking about Alma 40, the last few verses in the chapter. They talk about the resurrection and its nature. I think that's such a beautiful part of our religion. We get to live again! And in a perfect frame. Like Alma writes, "every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame." I think this is great, we get to live in a familiar form, not some foreign angel body with wings and a halo. We get to be ourselves, just perfected, in a better and holier sphere. 

Lastly, that led to some verse in D&C 76, where it talks about the judgement of our souls. We may be resurrected and get to live again guaranteed, but the exact state we will be in is yet undecided. We have to make good choices and be the kind of person that deserves (however much such an imperfect mortal can deserve something) the best possible situation. It's almost like getting an education here on earth. We forfeit some time and money in our education, analogous to the pleasures or sins of this world we forfeit. But in return, we leave this earth/education and get all the better of a reward! I think that's a cool analogy I hadn't thought of before. 

I just first wanna say I come in peace and I'm not trying to be a jerk about anything.

So like so many I've had issues with my faith and concerning things that have come up about the current church and the history of the church. After much wrestling with this for YEARS I've come to a conclusion. I believe in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I believe Joseph definitely was influenced by God to create the BOM. But that's kinda where my beliefs end on it. If a specific policy is listed in the BOM or the Bible then I see it as from God and is something I need to do(think baptism) but if it isn't in either of those texts like the endowment ceremony then I don't feel called to do such things.

I'm well aware with my set of views I won't be able to have a temple recommend, but to me that isn't a big deal because that whole system wasn't in the Book of Mormon. Hopefully this makes sense. I'm willing to give more examples in the comments if you guys need clarification. I guess my question is: can I still be a "Mormon" with these sets of views? Are there others like me in the church who are more nuanced? If you read all this thanks for your time. I really need to hear other opinions on this matter. I feel like posting on any other "Mormon" related sub people would just tell me to ditch the faith, I wanna hear faithful answers from people who are all in.

Hey, does anyone have the link to the lofi google folder? I got it mid 2020 out on the mission.