Robert

“Some people's relationship to the divine is primarily mystical, for others it is experiential, and for other still it is intellectual. Spirituality is intensely individual, even for members of the same family or the same church.”
― Patrick Q. Mason, Planted: Belief and Belonging in an Age of Doubt

“By empathy, I do not mean the capacity to feel the same way someone else feels. This is sympathy. Sympathy is highly touted, but in my opinion, somewhat overrated. By empathy, I do not mean acting in a tender, understanding manner. This is support. Support is also highly valued and overrated. So what is empathy? Empathy is the ability to comprehend with accuracy the precise thoughts and motivations of other people in such a way that they would say "yes, that is exactly where I'm coming from.”
― David D. Burns, Feeling Good

“Disbelievers can be good, solid people who love their spouse and children and live ethical, productive, meaningful lives. At the same time, disbelievers must understand that educated, informed, and sincere people can believe in the reality of Joseph Smith's revelations, the truth of the Book of Mormon, and the divine inspiration behind the church. They are not covering up secret doubts nor are they victims of false consciousness when they bear testimony. There are informed people who genuinely believe in and belong to the church. I am one of them.”
― Patrick Q. Mason, Planted: Belief and Belonging in an Age of Doubt

“Perhaps the most meaningful response to divine silence is to recognize that perhaps God values communion with us as much as he does direct communication—that being with us does not always entail talking to us.”
― Patrick Q. Mason