Seeking to know God

I have had a good friend for many years. This particular friend does not believe the same way that I do.  As a matter of fact, this friend does not even believe in God.  He especially does not believe in organized religion of any kind.  He does not like or respect any religion and thinks that they lead us all astray.  He thinks that I am a fool for believing in something that I can't see or touch or hear or prove.  He was very fond of telling me that he "died" several years ago, when he had a massive heart attack in the hospital, and he did not see or experience anything that he can remember.  All was blank in his mind.  That blankness means (to him) that there is no God in this life or in the next.  It means that there is no afterlife.  We are just matter taking up space, and we shall be buried and become dust when we die. 
He used to get very worked up over religion.  It seemed like nearly everytime he saw me, he would have to say something negative about the things that I believe and hold sacred.  He would find quotes and books that "proved" that there was not a God.  To me, it was all rather silly.  He was not going to change my beliefs with those things.  I could look around at the world and find millions of things that testify that there IS a God.  In my belief, all you have to do is open your eyes and look! 
Finally, after one particularly argumentative meeting with him, I finally said, "Let's agree to disagree on this subject.  If you are right, and I am wrong, I am never going to know about it anyway.  By your own admission, there is no after life.  So, who am I hurting with my beliefs?  I am not doing anything that would cause damage to another person.  I am kinder than I might be, I obey more laws than I might if I did not belive, I love and forgive more than I might do so otherwise.  As far as I can see, I am hurting no one with my beliefs, not even myself.  I might be missing out on something that you think I should experience, but I am happy with this life that I have chosen.  On the other hand, if I am right and you are wrong, I will see you in the next life and you will know and realize what a mistake you have made while here upon the earth.  I am looking forward to seeing you on that day".

I am still looking forward to meeting him again someday. 

Hilary Weeks wrote a song that is one of my absolute favorites.  It is called,

Still Believe

I haven't seen His face
But I have seen His miracles
I haven't heard His voice
But His spirit speaks to my heart
I haven't felt His hands
But I have felt His peace
And blessed are those who haven't seen
And still believe.

And still believe that He lives
And still believe that He walked upon the earth
And though my faith is just a seed
I still believe

I didn't walk with Him
But each day He's here by my side
I didn't watch as He healed
But His love has changed my life
I didn't see the cross
But I know it was for me
And blessed are those who haven't seen
And still believe.

And still believe that He lives
And still believe that He walked upon the earth
And though my faith is just a seed
I still believe

I haven't seen His eyes
But someday He'll look into mine
And if He bids me come
I will worship at His feet
For blessed are those who haven't seen
And still believe.


"Some wonder, why is belief in God so important? Why did the Savior say, 'And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent'? (John 17:3; emphasis added)."Without God, life would end at the grave and our mortal experiences would have no purpose. Growth and progress would be temporary, accomplishment without value, challenges without meaning. There would be no ultimate right and wrong and no moral responsibility to care for one another as fellow children of God. Indeed, without God, there would be no mortal or eternal life."
Robert D. Hales, "Seeking to Know God, Our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 29