Spirit of Our Religion

"The man or woman who enjoys the spirit of our religion has no trials; but the man or woman who tries to live according to the gospel of the Son of God, and at the same time clings to the spirit of the world, has trials and sorrows acute and keen, and that too, continually. This is the deciding point, the dividing line. They who love and serve God with all their hearts rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks; but they who try to serve God and still cling to the spirit of the world have got on two yokes - the yoke of Jesus and the yoke of the devil, and they will have plenty to do. They will have a warfare inside and outside, and the labor will be very galling, for they are directly in opposition one to the other."

-Brigham Young

I really like this quote. Read it a few times and pray about it. There are a few ways to look at this quote. One that I find applicable to depression is confusing the gospel with the "culture" of Mormonism. I don't know if anyone else feels that they have to follow the "culture" of Mormonism (particularly in Utah) in order to fit in or be a good church member. I have felt this off and on through the time I have lived here and I realize it simple isn't true. Confusing the two can lead to comparisons and to depression. It take work sometimes to differentiate between the two but with the Lord's help through, scripture, prayer and pondering we can all figure it out and be MUCH happier!!

(some of the cultural things are fun but they aren't the gospel of Jesus Christ)