I want to believe.

[AtlasR]

I recently had a turn for the worse, Which made me think alot more about life and all these things.

I'm a Mormon, I honestly want to be able to go to heaven after I die, I want to so bad, But I just can't seem to grasp it.

I always get anxious thoughts that it won't happen but I will be dead and not realize it didn't happen.

Could someone help me out here?

[Therauh]

Let Christ Guide You

Pray often

Have Faith

[GingerGolden]

Can I just leave you a HUG?

I'm not sure what to tell you...

Do you believe in the pre-existence?

(That is one of the biggest things that stood out to me about the church when I was learning about it. It makes soooooo much good sense to me.

I had wondered why other churches hadn't considered it, well none that I'd ever known of before finding the LDS church.)

If you believe that you were before you came here to get your body, you can believe that your spirit is a forever essence. Our bodies are vehicles in a sense, a means of maneuvering on this plane.

Consider this.

Find a photo of yourself, say to the photo.

"God made you special, he loves you and so do I."

Tell yourself that when you are feeling low.

He does you know...

I do hope this helped in someway...

[AtlasR]

I would imagine. You mean like when we decided who we would be with and all that.

I just get anxiety from the idea that When I die I won't be concious of being dead so I won't know but I don't want to lose my parents.

Is there anything you can say that would make sense and convince me?

[AtlasR]

And about the vehicle whatnot In my head our bodies are like a glove.

[GingerGolden]

And about the vehicle whatnot In my head our bodies are like a glove.

Yes that too, I know where you get that, yes that is the same...

I can't tell you whether or not you would know.

I think you would, however I also know that some people don't realize that they are.

I also know that even though my father has crossed over that sometimes he is around us.

Shedding your body will not make you lose your parents. At least I don't think you will.

They are yours, they are yours for a reason, just as you are theirs...

I'm sorry that you are feeling this way.

Can you tell us what is wrong, if there is something wrong?

I'm fixing to head to bed, but don't want to leave you feeling so alone and anxious.

I also agree with Therauh.

[AtlasR]

I'm okay but I meant by losing parents and friends because I'll be dead. And there won't be heaven to see them.

And I'm just fine but it just gets to me when I think about stuff like this.

I mean I hope heaven exists but for some reason I can't believe it.

[Guest tomk]

This is why faith in Christ is so important.

If you lack this faith right now, there may not be enough time to develop it, for these things take time and consistent, diligent effort and obedience.

There is nothing I can say to convince you. That is what God does. He gives the witness. God gives us the evidence of things not seen.

The Resurrection comes to all. Unconditionally. So you will live again, as will your parents.

The KIND of life you will enjoy is not unconditional. It is up to you. You show your desires through your obedience. As you have desired in life, so will it be unto you in the next life. It depends on what you have BECOME.

Make the most of each moment from now on. Focus your thoughts on God and doing His work.

Tom

[AtlasR]

@Tom

I know, I have been raised Mormon and all that

But this is what I mean.

If you ask a Hindu about his religion he will say it's 100% true every religion is like that.

I 100% believe in God, & Jesus Christ. But I just can't grasp the idea of the next life.

I honestly hope with all my heart it's real.

But for some reason it just doesn't feel real

[Therauh]

All are raised eventually

Run the race the best you can

You have to have faith and believe

You pray to be deemed worthy also

Mens destiny is not entirely their own

but if you do well and overcome you can ask anything of God

and he will give it to you.

Have faith also in Gods Mercy

and know you are loved.

Many through the ages have been troubled by their thoughts

and many have fell somewhat short for not having faith in Gods promises

Yet in his mercy he still lifted many up and told them to not be troubled and still kept his promise to them.God keeps his promises and you have read them so have faith and hope,believe.

[AtlasR]

I think I felt the spirit while reading the last part :)

I'm okay now thanks all of you.

[marshac]

I'm going to concur with what other have said- pray. The reassurance you're wanting really can't come from any of us here, but must come from the spirit. Pray about it, and keep praying- when you wake up, when you go to bed, whenever, just as long as you keep at it.

[Moksha]

Atlas, the Universe is unfolding as it should and we are all a part of it.

[FunkyTown]

@Tom

I know, I have been raised Mormon and all that

But this is what I mean.

If you ask a Hindu about his religion he will say it's 100% true every religion is like that.

I 100% believe in God, & Jesus Christ. But I just can't grasp the idea of the next life.

I honestly hope with all my heart it's real.

But for some reason it just doesn't feel real

Hi Atlas,

What you're experiencing is normal. Even Mother Theresa was struck by crises of faith. To truly know something beyond your experience is often impossible, but to have faith in it requires reinforcement and steps. Many of us have not seen Moscow, but we believe it exists because many people say it does and because it fits within our frame of reference.

Because of this, let me give you a thought exercise to show that life after death is not only possible, it's logical.

When we're conceived, the building blocks of life are nothing more than tiny organisms that can not even be perceived as what they are by the naked eye. In a struggle to reach their potential, they battle through harsh conditions and competition to finally reach the zenith of that life's potential: Fertilization. Once that is done, the former life is gone. No more are the things that you had perceived there. You realize you had been blind before, grasping thoughtlessly to something you knew you wanted, but couldn't know why. Then, life is a ticking clock as you develop. New options open up - You begin to think, to see, to hear. You are comfortable and safe.

Then, the traumatic happens: You are pushed in to a world you couldn't comprehend before. It's a world of bright lights and loud sounds, of freezing cold and burning heat. You have left behind the world for another one. Again, whole new worlds open up and you realize just how blind you were. There are realms of experience undreamed of by your former self - That former self whose life no longer exists.

In every stage of life, a better and bigger world comes about solely because of the shedding of the previous life. It is always an ending and it's always frightening and traumatic for the person experiencing it. If that's the case for every single aspect of our creation, why would it stop?

[Hemidakota]

I recently had a turn for the worse, Which made me think alot more about life and all these things.

I'm a Mormon, I honestly want to be able to go to heaven after I die, I want to so bad, But I just can't seem to grasp it.

I always get anxious thoughts that it won't happen but I will be dead and not realize it didn't happen.

Could someone help me out here?

You are going to heaven but heaven is a big place with many kingdoms. If you are seeking the highest order, you need to start with the complete understanding of repentance and the Atonement of Jesus the Christ.

After that, come back with further questions and we are here to support and help. God bless.

[john doe]

As has been stated before, pray. But also read the Book of Mormon. As you read prayerfully, you will be spiritually fed, and answers will come to you in times and places that you don't expect.

[Jim108]

With all your heart except Jesus as your savior, lord and God. Ask for forgivness of all your sins and repent. All the work was finished twothousand years ago. All you need do is except the gift and your are saved. The gift is for all who want it nomatter what sins your are guilty of. It is absolute and perfect and you can always count on it. So, do this and relax and have peace. You can trust in Jesus. God Bless You, Jim

[WillowTheWhisp]

I want to believe.

That is the first big step. Wanting to believe is what leads you to pray for more faith. Remember the scriptue. Mark 9:24 Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.

[rodheadlee]

Tomk - what do you mean by this? "If you lack this faith right now, there may not be enough time to develop it"

Rod

[Guest tomk]

Tomk - what do you mean by this? "If you lack this faith right now, there may not be enough time to develop it"

Rod

I don't know what I was trying to say by that.

I think that was a bit harsh of me.

I think a better way to say it would be, "Keep striving to develop your faith!" and just leave it at that!

tomk

[jolee65]

To question the prexsitence (sp) isnt that unheard of but to say you dont know if it exsits at all, then you know what your assignment in life is to study and pray about the after life.

Edited March 13, 2009 by jolee65

[rodheadlee]

" don't know what I was trying to say by that.

I think that was a bit harsh of me.

I think a better way to say it would be, "Keep striving to develop your faith!" and just leave it at that!"

tomk

Thanks tom.

I have a great relationship with our Heavenly Father but I still have a lot of work to do.