How Do You Know?

How do you know?

No, I'm not about to bust into that song from "Enchanted", but I could.  I am...right now...in my head.  Please tell me you know that movie.  My friend, Shayla, is probably laughing at me and has never seen the movie, I'm sure.  (We'll have to add that to our movie-marathon list, Shayla).

I'm not talking about a song, I'm legitimately asking the question:  "How do you know?"

Have you ever read a study--on anything--or read statistics in an article and asked yourself "yeah, but where did those numbers really come from?"  Anyone who has been in a statistics class can quickly see how numbers can be hand-picked or presented in a certain light to bolster or tear down a cause or topic.

First-hand knowledge is the kind of knowledge I prefer.  I once wanted to know the deeper why behind my swollen limbs during pregnancy, so I took a free, online Physiology class from Duke and stayed with it until I found my answer. The run of the mill Web MD answers weren't enough for me.  Suffice it to say, I like my answers to come straight from the source.

If I could, I would put myself in every study or be the statistician behind every statistic.  But, that's not feasible, and most the time, I just have to read and study both "sides" and go with my gut.

But, religion?  Religion is different.  As ambiguous as numbers can be (which, I feel like, in and of themselves are not supposed to be equivocal), religion is even more abstract.  You're dealing with knowledge that can't be proven by numbers, or studied under a microscope.  You're dealing with knowledge of the heart.  Knowledge that can only come through individual experience and feelings.  I don't like being force-fed through Facebook memes what a Muslim or Jew or Buddhist or Hindu or Christian really believes.  I want to know for myself.

In fact, as a devout and work-in-progress Latter-day Saint (Mormon), I do know first hand how deceiving and erroneous some posts, articles and memes can be.  They're filled with misconceptions, cherry-picking, and no understanding of context or intent.  So, it begs the question, what else is being fed to me clothed as truth, but is, in reality, a blatant, naked lie?  The answer?  I have no clue, for the most part.  I mean, I have a vague idea, hence this post. But, I can fix that.

Here is my quest.  This is what I want to do.  As your Mormon sister, I want to understand you.  I want to go to church with you.  I want to read your scriptures.  I want to listen to your ecclesiastical leaders.  I want to pray with you.  I want to meditate with you.  I want to do whatever it is you do that makes you you.  I want to know what you know.  Then, I want to figure out how it relates to what I know.  I want to see the similarities.  I want to not be blind.  Most of all, I want you to know that I am your supporter, your defender.  I am your Mormon Sister.

This blog and journey has been in the making for about a year or so.  I've collected names of people from all different religions, but with the Syrian Refugee crisis and the alarming discussion of banning Muslims from our country, the first religion that demands this quest is Islam.

Join me and follow me in this quest of faith.  May we all be enlightened, uplifted and stronger in our commitment to each other as brothers and sisters.

Sincerely,
Your Mormon Sister