Each of us is largely the product of his or her beliefs Our behavior is largely governed by these. They become our standards of conduct. -- President Gordon B. Hinckley
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| President Gordon B. Hinckley |
I have pondered this statement of President Hinckley and believe it to be true. I have therefore decided to put into writing my own heartfelt beliefs. I hope that my children, posterity, and friends will know my beliefs by the way I live. By writing them down, I won't leave it to chance and can at least let them know how I feel, what I believe, and how I have tried to conduct my life. I do not claim to be perfect in living these beliefs, but my resolve to do so has increased with time and experience. The beliefs that follow are indeed my standards of conduct. They have guided and enriched my life. They are not necessarily set in order of importance.
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| Pat and I at the beginning of our mission. |
1. I Believe in God as our Father and in his Son as my Savior
and the Savior of the World
I believe in the sacred writings of past prophets that testify of God
and Jesus Christ and contain divinely given teachings, principles,
and commandments to guide our lives and bring lasting happiness.
I have faith in living prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, and I endeavor to follow their teachings
and counsel.
I worship the living Christ and have faith in the power of his
atonement.
I believe that the best way to know Jesus Christ is to serve Him.
My faith is not blind; it is bound by sacred covenants and
personal experience.
2. I Believe in Seeking for Truth and Wisdom, and I Enjoy
Reading Good Books
I seek truth through study, faith, prayer, and the application of true
principles.
I believe there is a heirarchy of knowledge -- that knowledge is not
mere information, and that some truths are more important to
learn and master than others.
I seek for understanding and wisdom -- the application of
knowledge that leads toward development of Christ-like behavior
and character.
3. I Believe in the Power of Prayer
I try to maintain a close relationship with God through regular
communication with Him.
I feel God's love and know He has answered my prayers in my best
interest.
I love God, listen to his counsel, and try to follow his promptings.
I have come to trust God's timing and believe He knows me and
my needs better than I do.
4. I Believe in Obedience -- in Living What I Know
I strive to show my love for the Savior by keeping his
commandments.
My creed is the 10 Commandments and the Articles of Faith, not the
Nicene Creed.
I try to honor my covenants, pay a full tithe, and sustain the law of
the land.
I know that obedience always strengthens faith and disobedience
weakens it.
I also know that knowledge without faith and obedience is
insufficient and can be empty.
5. I Believe in Repentance -- I Must Repent of My Mistakes,
Forgive Myself, and Others
I know that Christ's atonement is real and that it works for me and
for everyone else.
Jesus Christ is our Savior -- we need his atonement and grace
because we all make mistakes.
I allow myself to make mistakes, but I try to repent and learn from
them.
I forgive others easily and allow room for second chances.
I know that true repentance always leads to greater faith and
happiness.
6. I Believe that Honesty is Always the Best Policy
I seek to cultivate integrity and honor in my life.
I believe honesty produces a clear conscience, inner peace,
self-respect, and makes prayer more powerful in our lives. Like
Huck Finn discovered, I believe "you cannot pray a lie."
I know that honesty is essential for good family and interpersonal
relationships.
7. I Believe in the Strength of Family
I believe the family is central to God's plan for his children and that
marriage between a man and a woman fulfills his purposes.
I believe the greatest joys of life are found in happy family
relationships, based on teachings of the Savior and principles of
love, trust, forgiveness and respect.
I seek to show consistent love, respect, and support for my wife,
children, grandchildren, and extended family.
8. I Believe in the Healing Power of Music, Laughter,
Good Humor, Healthy Recreation, and Sports
I enjoy a variety of good music -- it soothes my spirit and warms
my soul.
I like a good joke and believe that good humor enriches life.
I believe healthy recreation is essential, and I enjoy the excitement
of competitive sports.
I have a passion for life and try to keep a positive outlook and
disposition.
I seek to make others smile, be comfortable, find joy, and be happy.
9. I Believe in Being Grateful
I deeply appreciate the many positive things in my life, including life
itself.
I am thankful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and its impact
on my life.
I appreciate my heritage and the example and teachings of goodly
parents.
I am grateful for a beautiful and faithful wife, and view my decision
to marry her as pure inspiration, good fortune, and the best
decision I ever made.
I am grateful for five terrific daughters, and I feel honored to be their
father.
I also appreciate five awesome sons-in-law, and each one of my
grandchildren.
I am very thankful for the influence of wonderful friends, family,
and associates.
I appreciate my good health, opportunities, freedoms, blessings, and
privileges.
10. I Believe that People from all Nations, Races, and Faiths are
Basically Good
I look for the best in people, I can learn from them, and I love to
serve them.
I concentrate on the good traits of others and appreciate their
unique qualities.
I think people will soon forget what we say or do but they may not
forget how we make them feel, especially if they feel our love.
I have concluded that God will assess my life not by possessions
acquired, or by the level of prominence achieved in career,
community, or church; rather, by the way I respect, honor, and
treat the people I meet.
~Don A. Carpenter~
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