As a teenager, I thought belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was pretty complicated.
When my nonmember friends would ask me about movies I watched,
the language I used,
or clothes I wore,
it seemed like I was always reciting endless lists of rules I had to follow.
And there have been other times, when things have been swirling, that this Church has seemed really complicated.
But as I’ve matured in spiritual understanding, I’ve discovered that the gospel is actually pretty simple.
It’s all about Jesus.
No, really!
When I focus on Jesus, all the “extra” things seem much more simple, too.
I naturally adjust my language, media use, and attitude to become more Christlike.
Paul taught:
“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)
He’s warning that the adversary wants us to make things more complicated than they really are.
It’s one of his most powerful tactics.
Distraction from simplicity.
Sure, membership in this church may look complicated from the outside looking in.
And when I focus on the little elements of tithing, Sabbath day observance, temple attendance, serving in callings…
I can get caught up in the long to-do list, too.
But I have found so much peace when I focus on “the simplicity that is in Christ.”
He is the goal.
He is the way.
And everything else just helps us get to Him.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
