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Last Sunday we had two policy related testimonies. The first did not specifcally mention the policy, but rather did so indirectly. In the second, the person acknowledged that some people did not like the policy, but then discussed how she came to be at peace with it. In both cases, I would say the two individuals were very respectul and non-judgemental, but they were both essentially taking the point of view of “we don’t know why, but we just need to believe”. I personally was very upset by the new policy and the way it treats the children of gay couples. I felt the meeting needed some more balance, but I wasn’t quite sure how to bring it. I didn’t feel comfortable just standing up and saying, “I don’t like the policy, and I still don’t like it, and I am not OK with it.” I settled on standing up, and in part reading the words to “I’m Trying to be Like Jesus”.
Quote:I’m trying to be like Jesus;
I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”
I’m trying to love my neighbor;
I’m learning to serve my friends.
I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught.
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”
I am not sure if it had the intended effect. After the meeting, the first person that had given the pro-policy testimony came up to me and told me how much he loved it and was so grateful I had shared that. I should have been a little more bold and gone with the lyrics of “I’ll Walk With You”Quote:If you don’t walk as most people do,
Some people walk away from you,
But I won’t! I won’t!
If you don’t talk as most people do,
Some people talk and laugh at you,
But I won’t! I won’t!
I’ll walk with you. I’ll talk with you.
That’s how I’ll show my love for you.
Jesus walked away from none.
He gave his love to ev’ryone.
So I will! I will!
Jesus blessed all he could see,
Then turned and said, “Come, follow me.”
And I will! I will!
I will! I will!
I’ll walk with you. I’ll talk with you.
That’s how I’ll show my love for you.
You were great. Don’t beat yourself up. I don’t believe that we are divided up on sides with this issue.
I’m beginning to believe that all of us are trying to deal with this policy based on our own experiences & current beliefs.
Some of us will change. Some will remain hard line. Most are looking for guidance.
Change is inevitable. It’s the timing that sucks.
I think you did a great job. You left a message of truth and hope. You took no one out directly, which allowed the spirit of calm to remain in the meeting. What you don’t know is that you may have helped others who are still sorting things out find a light of hope. I call it a win.
I think that’s a good approach. Just preach love and be patient for people to come around. It’s not the most satisfying approach and it certainly doesn’t have immediate results but it’s probably the healthiest approach and can make a difference. Say you confront the issue directly, “I don’t like the policy, and I still don’t like it, and I am not OK with it.” Hearts harden, people tune you out, and you only ended up trying to fight fire with fire. Apparently that’s also known as the nibbler™ approach.
I think it’s great that you addressed it at all. It’s really hard to put yourself out there. I’d love for a talented LDS musician to write a new arrangement of “I’ll Walk With You.”
I wonder if people who bear testimony of Church policy ever think it through to its logical conclusion. The fact that these new policies
are new and were issued in a handbook updateought to tell you that Church policy changes all. the. time. Bearing your testimony that the current Church policy is the true and correct one feels an awful lot like building a house on a sandy foundation. Forgive me, but my snark runneth over. Following Joni’s input I may just need to clarify my handbook testimony.
Quote:I would like to bear my witness that the handbook requirement against using the church kitchen as a kitchen is inspired. As I look around the world and see the many places where people have no kitchens it is clear to me that the brethren saw how disparaging life could be, if anyone used the church kitchen. I am grateful we have been protected from grease fires, moldy food, and out of date butter by this policy. I also believe it humbles us and helps us remember how fortunate we are to have a kitchen we can’t function in. As a wife and mother, I know I rejoice when I can return to my humble stove and know that I can use that tool in my home to bless my family. This holiday season as we use the church kitchen as a holding pen for crock pots, let us give thanks for the unnecessary room that could so easily be removed. In the name of all Mr. Clean the number one kitchen guy.
Well done, azguy. Having had a recent experience with bearing my own testimony (
http://forum.staylds.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7161 I don’t want to derail, but mom3, honestly…. 😆 😆 😆 Would you plllllease work on this riff some more. I know you have more to say! Then you can let it out into the Facebook atmosphere and watch it go viral.
mom3 wrote:Forgive me, but my snark runneth over.
Following Joni’s input I may just need to clarify my handbook testimony.
Quote:I would like to bear my witness that the handbook requirement against using the church kitchen as a kitchen is inspired. As I look around the world and see the many places where people have no kitchens it is clear to me that the brethren saw how disparaging life could be, if anyone used the church kitchen. I am grateful we have been protected from grease fires, moldy food, and out of date butter by this policy. I also believe it humbles us and helps us remember how fortunate we are to have a kitchen we can’t function in. As a wife and mother, I know I rejoice when I can return to my humble stove and know that I can use that tool in my home to bless my family. This holiday season as we use the church kitchen as a holding pen for crock pots, let us give thanks for the unnecessary room that could so easily be removed. In the name of all Mr. Clean the number one kitchen guy.
I love this! Rigth after the SSM policy came out, this thought is what I wanted to scream from the rooftops! I actually had the exact same thought about the kitchen policy. And the missionary rule against full court basketball, etc, etc…
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