HAPPY PI DAY! I’m not sure who decided March 14 should be Pi Day, but I fully support any excuse to enjoy a slice of pie! If you’re just hearing about it, don’t worry — you can still join the celebration by eating some pie right now!
I wasn’t the best at math, but I do know that Pi (π) is a mathematical constant, roughly equal to 3.14. It represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.
In life, we find some constants as well. There are consequences to actions. In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Alma taught that “wickedness never was happiness.”
There is so much drama and sorrow that can come into one’s life when we don’t walk in God’s path.
As a teenager, I was rebellious and saw the commandments as restrictions. The world offers many enticing distractions, but I’ve learned that sin creates distance between us and God. Instead of focusing on Him, our hearts and minds become consumed by worldly things. When we repent and follow the commandments, we turn away from sin and turn toward the Lord. The commandments are a guidebook on how to draw closer to the Lord. When we center our lives on Jesus Christ and keep our hearts turned toward Him, we can feel His Spirit and grow closer to Him.
Some may wonder, “Why do you want to share your faith with others?”
The prophet Lehi told of a dream he had where he partook of a white fruit from a tree, and the fruit made him happy. He said it was, “most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted.” He said that it filled his soul with great joy. What did he do next? Lehi looked around for his family. He wanted them to experience the joy that he felt.
I desire for my family and others I meet to experience the delight and joy that come from living the gospel of Jesus Christ each day. I’m deeply grateful for it in my life. There is a goodness, a peace, a comfort and a great joy that comes into one’s life when we partake of the fruit of the gospel and live a life centered on Jesus Christ. It brings sweetness to my soul, and wanting to share that sweetness, the gospel of Jesus Christ, with others, is like Lehi wanting to share the fruit with his family.
If I could, I would sit down with each of you at a local restaurant, order a slice of banana cream pie, (my favorite) and answer any questions you had. I would tell you about my faith journey, and how I have felt God’s love through the years as I’ve learned more of Him, line upon line. I would share how reading the Bible and The Book of Mormon has helped me learn about the nature of God. I would tell you about how daily prayer reminds me to be grateful and keeps me focused on an eternal perspective. I would share with you how weekly worshiping together, coming to the Lord’s table and partaking of the sacrament have blessed my life. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; He that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).
I would also share my personal testimony of the love our Father in Heaven has for His children. God wants us to follow His Son Jesus Christ, and live a life filled with joy, that will enable us to return to His presence.
As we celebrate Pi Day, let’s be thankful to a loving Heavenly Father who has blessed us with delicious fruit, either in a pie or not. In addition, let’s thank Him for His constant love as we enjoy the fruit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is even more sweet to our souls.
_________
Issues of Faith is a rotating column by religious leaders on the North Olympic Peninsula. Bishop Jason Bringhurst is the leader of the Mount Pleasant Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Port Angeles, ComeUntoChrist.org. His email is jasonbring@gmail.com.
