TheDiscipileMD

On occasion, I have heard members criticizing my church, its doctrine, its leaders, or its policies. Sometimes, it seems, they are straining to do so. I would expect this from those not of our faith. Many times, they don’t understand the principles and doctrines taught therein. Often, they are uninformed or misinformed. While I realize that my church, along with its members, are not perfect, when I hear their criticisms I am left with this question: “To Whom Shall We Go?”

Living the gospel can be difficult. It requires the sacrifice of time, energy, and resources. But I am left to ponder the lessons taught to and by the apostles of old. Christ had been teaching them the hardness of the way.

” Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?…From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. (John 6: 60,61,66-69).

When I was a young man, I asked my Dad, “What if the church isn’t true?” He replied, “Son, you can search all you want, but in the end, I have confidence that you will end up right back here!” In other words, “to whom shall we go!” It has been many years since my Dad and I had that exchange of words. He has since passed on, but not before delivering this same message to our family shortly before he died. I have pondered many times in my life on this passage of scripture.

Throughout my life, I have tried to be open-minded. I have read, studied, and contemplated. I have spent time on my knees. I have lifted my heart to the heavens in hopes that I might be sure that the path I am on is the one true path back. It is evident to me that the church and its members are not perfect; mistakes are made, feelings are hurt. Responsibilities are not always done right! The imperfect nature of it all is manifest, almost daily. But when those times of frustration and questioning come, the words of the ancient apostles sound in my heart, “to whom shall we go”.

The restored gospel does have the “words of eternal life.” Peter’s conclusion, many years ago, that Jesus Christ is the way is still true today.  In my mind, heart, and soul, there is no one else in “whom to go” and no other path than the one I’ve chosen to draw me nearer to Him, whom I worship!