A few weeks ago, we spent about a week in Utah as a class investigating Latter Day Saint theology, doctrine, and culture. We had the opportunity to visit Temple Square, Brigham Young University, and Snow College to witness and have conversations with students and hear from BYU professors. Over the course of the trip, I had about nine spiritual conversations and was able to see many different perspectives on Latter Day Saint theology and even how many members seem to pick and choose which parts of their religion they want to believe.
Two of my conversations ended up lasting close to two hours or more: one with two LDS members attending BYU and another with a Hindu professor at Snow College. When talking to the two LDS members, it was very easy to see that they were both very passionate believers. They had both done their missions in foreign countries and were eager to talk about their times there, but when we really dug deep and started asking them difficult questions, their answers either avoided the question or they simply chalked it up to culture and how not all of what their extra scriptures teach is applicable today.
When talking to the Hindu woman, it was difficult to navigate, as we had been focusing on LDS theology for the last week and not Hinduism. However, as we got to talking to her about her religion, she immediately admitted to us that she was only Hindu because it’s how she was raised and she wants to honor her family. As we asked her questions about the beliefs of Hinduism, she really could not give us many answers. This left me a little disheartened, knowing that there are so many people living in a religious lie simply because it is what is normal to them, and they have no interest in finding out what’s true.
Eventually, as our conversation dulled, one of my partners, Josie Waymire, pointed out a piece of decor with an “evil eye” on it and asked why she had it. The woman explained to us that in her culture it was meant to ward off bad things or spirits, but Josie told her that in Christianity we believe objects like that can instead attract those bad spirits. Immediately her eyes lit up as she nodded in agreement, explaining to us that a crystal ring her mom gave her, meant to do the same, always leaves her feeling heavy or bad things happen when she wears it.
You could see the wheels turning in her head, realizing that something her religion teaches as true she has seen in her life to be false.
We left her with a few things to think about alongside that and were able to pray with her before we left. Overall, the experience was very eye-opening and encouraging, to be able to see her eyes be opened even just the slightest bit to the truth about her religion.
Lia Turner, Class of 2027
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