Request for quotes/ideas

One of my favorite conference talks: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/come-join-with-us?lang=eng” class=”bbcode_url”>https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/come-join-with-us?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2018-06-0020-a-friend-to-all?category=topics/unity&lang=eng” class=”bbcode_url”>https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2018-06-0020-a-friend-to-all?category=topics/unity&lang=eng

We watched this in Relief Society the other day I really liked it. It’s not direct but it is inclusive. I am excited that you have that topic. Also this blog post from LDS.org that On Own Now posted might work.

https://www.lds.org/blog/who-do-i-choosegod-or-my-husband?cid=HP_TH-26-7-2018_dOCS_fBLOG_xLIDyL2” class=”bbcode_url”>https://www.lds.org/blog/who-do-i-choosegod-or-my-husband?cid=HP_TH-26-7-2018_dOCS_fBLOG_xLIDyL2

Let us know how it goes.

Chieko Okazaki had some fabulous quotes about this exact topic. I don’t have time to search our archives right now, but maybe try a Google search using “Chieko Okazaki LGBTQ quotes”.

From the classic talk oft quoted here on this site, Elder Wirthlin’s “Concern for the one” from April 2008 GC:

Some are lost because they are different. They feel as though they don’t belong. Perhaps because they are different, they find themselves slipping away from the flock. They may look, act, think, and speak differently than those around them and that sometimes causes them to assume they don’t fit in. They conclude that they are not needed.

Tied to this misconception is the erroneous belief that all members of the Church should look, talk, and be alike. The Lord did not people the earth with a vibrant orchestra of personalities only to value the piccolos of the world. Every instrument is precious and adds to the complex beauty of the symphony. All of Heavenly Father’s children are different in some degree, yet each has his own beautiful sound that adds depth and richness to the whole.

This variety of creation itself is a testament of how the Lord values all His children. He does not esteem one flesh above another, but He “inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; … all are alike unto God.”

I used this in a stake conference talk, with the emphasis that ALL ARE GOD’s CHILDREN. He created us as we are, so we are therefore OK as we are. Each individual should be treated with respect and dignity as one of God’s creation.

Part of my stake talk went like this:

Wouldn’t it be silly if they hung a sign on all hospital doors that read:

• The doctors and nurses in here are healthy. You can be like us if you try harder. When you get to be like us….then please enter the hospital and join us.

No, it doesn’t work that way.

President Uchtdorf of the First Presidency said in October 2014

The Church is a home for all to come together, regardless of the depth or the height of our testimony. I know of no sign on the doors of our meetinghouses that says, “Your testimony must be this tall to enter.”

The Church is not just for perfect people, but it is for all to “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him.” The Church is for people like you and me. The Church is a place of welcoming and nurturing, not of separating or criticizing. It is a place where we reach out to encourage, uplift, and sustain one another as we pursue our individual search for divine truth.

I think this is good reminder to us that testimonies come in different sizes, in different time frames…some may seek for years to get the testimony they so desire.

But all are welcome as they are.

It is important for us to remember that…finding the one requires honest and true concern for individuals.

As we read in 3 Nephi 17: 21

21 … he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.

One more good reminder is to remember to avoid labeling others. They are not a “LGBTQ” person or an “inactive” person (which sounds weird to most people when you use terms like “an active member” or ” an inactive member”)…they are a person.

How we view others is a reflection of our hearts.

Thank you, everyone, for these awesome ideas!

Thanks for reporting back. This made my day.

Seriously, I have been “in the trenches” here for almost 10 years. This stuff is what keeps me going – and knowing there are lots more examples about which we never hear.