Having
little knowledge of the ideas of Islam and also having grown up as a Latter Day
Saint, with the understanding that the LDS church is the only true church of
God, I have in the past disregarded the validity of Muhammad and the sanctity
of the Islamic beliefs. As I have studied a lot about the events that led to
the creation of the Muslim culture, the life of Muhammad, the dedication of the
Muslim people, and the many parallels between Islam and the LDS church I have
come to love and respect this culture far more than I had imagined. Above all,
the most important thing I have learned from this class so far is that God universal
and that people around the world, despite their religious practices, still
praise the same God that I do. This is extremely important to me because it
helps me gain a deeper appreciation and respect for the Muslim people and a
greater believe in the type of individual Muhammad was.
Initially I didn’t
trust the idea that Muhammad was really a prophet, inspired to bring about God’s
church upon the earth. This is mainly because as a Latter Day Saint, I believe
Joseph Smith restored God’s true church and Muhammad isn’t a part of our
scriptural beliefs. As we learned about the events of Muhammad, I have pushed
away my doubts of his importance as a prophet of God. How could I judge and
doubt the events of Muhammad when I believe in a prophet who had similar
events? As I pondered the events in Muhammad’s life I didn’t find a reason to
doubt he was close to the Spirit of God. I believe that all good things come
from God and Muhammad brought a great deal of good to the world, therefore Muhammad
was inspired by the same God that we as Latter Day Saint worship. Perhaps the religion that Muhammad created
wasn’t what God had intended but it’s a religion based off similar beliefs in
the LDS church, one of dedication to God, fasting, prayer, virtue and honesty.
I believe that Muhammad was a truly inspired individual, an instrument in the
hands of God, and a leader of righteousness.
According to the
1994 Ensign, “God raises up wise men and prophets here and there among all the
children of men, of their own tongue and nationality” (Ensign, 1994). It our
duty as saints to love and respect God’s children throughout the world despite
their technique of worship. With our knowledge that Joseph Smith restored the
fullest of God’s gospel, we can encourage those who hold portions of the truth
to coexist with one another through respecting and loving individuals
throughout the world. God is God, God promotes goodness, God is the same to
every Jew, Muslim, Baptist, Catholic, Mormon.
Another reason I
have found that God is a universal God is through the similarities in beliefs
and practices between the Muslim and LDS religions. Being a Muslim and being a
Latter Day Saint isn’t just a Sunday activity, but it is a lifestyle and I
think that’s how God intended it to be. Both religions are based off principles
that encourage constant personal improvement, fasting, prayer, repentance,
forgiveness, charity, wearing of sacred clothing items, temple worship, a
sacred book, and events that bring peoples of that religion together (Hajj and
General Conference). The similarities
between both religions promote a greater understanding of the character of God
to the rest of the world. Because of small number (13.8 million) LDS people, we
are often questioned and tried for our beliefs in our lifestyle and values. But
because there are 1.6 billion Muslims who practice quite similar beliefs it
really demonstrates the intentions of God. (Now if only we can help those 1.6
billion individuals realize that the fullness is here todayJ). This is important to me because I now have
such a deeper respect for Muslims and their dedication to God, it sets such a
great example to me in my life and encourages me to reach my potential as
daughter of God. As I prepare for my opportunity to Study Abroad in Jerusalem
this Spring I find myself getting excited to be surrounded by such holy and
spirit-filled people.
