Religion and Truth

I grew up as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Mormons.  I enjoyed my  youth, mostly enjoyed going to church and the feeling of participating in something sacred and helping others.  I went on a mission for the Church to Japan.  As I grew older though, I began to feel I'd outgrown the shell of organized religion.  Questions and discrepancies with doctrine grew.  During the spring of Y2K, a wave of inspiration hit me, and over the past seven years, I've tried to track my own spiritual development by means of organizing my thoughts and feelings on the World Beyond website.

I think organized religions are a means to raise people's consciousness, but once a person truly incorporates their teachings, they no longer serve a purpose. Over the past seven years I've learned a great many truths, many of which tie n with Mormon doctrine, many which do not.

Every nation is granted the religion it deserves, what God feels will best serve their culture. The truth from God is interpreted through the lens of their cultural mindset. Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, Joseph Smith, and others, each received the truth, coming from a higher plane, and each did their best to spread their religion to the world. The world (culture by culture) benefited enormously from their revelations. Those who truly incorporated the teachings of these enlightened souls made great strides in the growth of their own souls.
                           
I think everyone can reach the state of enlightenment where they can add to the enlightenment of others, maybe not on the scale of the great religious leaders mentioned above, but certainly to those they come into contact with. And when you think about it, isn't that what the previous religious leaders did? They worked among their own contemporaries trying to lift them up to a higher place. Hopefully, we can somehow achieve a similar result.
                           
That's the impetus behind World Beyond. My goal is to provide information others may find useful to help them progress along their own journey. Take the time to read some of the information posted here...I'm sure you'll find some of it beneficial.  Not that I have all the answers, or even any of the answers. In reality, no one else can decide what you need. Each individual has to make that decision. Find the truths that work for you and live them.
                           
I think we can all come up with the answers we personally need, if we're willing to search. I honestly believe one of the results of the monumental changes of the past century is the marginalization of organized religion.   Now, we each have the opportunity to make our spiritual journeys as individuals. We don't need a priest to intercede on our behalf. We don't have to follow archaic beliefs, traditions handed down by men whose primary goal was to maintain power and control over their flock, rather than help their flock grow spiritually.
                           
The means are readily available for like-minded individuals to share their thoughts and grow together. Take the opportunity. I hope you find this blog useful.  Please leave a comment to share your insights, or contact me via email. I want to hear from you.  Also, please share what you find with others.
                           
The Mormon religion was a vehicle that took me a long way down the path of enlightenment.  Then, the  terrain changed, I left the vehicle and travel the next phase of the journey on foot. May God bless each of you on your own journey. I hope to meet many of you along the way.