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The following is what will post on my personal blog tomorrow as my weekly New Year’s Resolution post:I saw a very profound, short statement on the wall of a high school I was visiting yesterday, and I thought how it applies to my New Year’s Resolution for this month. It said:
Quote:You were (created) as an original. Don’t become a copy.
First, I absolutely LOVE this quote in and of itself, regardless of its application to my New Year’s Resolution. I understand and accept the need for communal conformity to certain, minimal standards; I really do. However, at the most fundamental level, I am a unique child of God (as is every other child of God) – and that uniqueness is important to me.
What struck me about this quote and my resolution is that too many people see Zion as total uniformity / unanimity / homogeneity. They see “being united” as being indistinguishable from each other in any important way. They see becoming “perfect” as becoming exactly alike in every way. At least, that is how they appear to believe, based on how they act toward those who are different than they are.
I disagree.
My favorite General Conference talk of all time (as my children will attest, while rolling their eyes and exclaiming, “I told you so!”) is Elder Joseph Wirthlin’s “Concern for the One” – and the part that resonates the most within me is the analogy of the multiple instruments and harmonies that are necessary to create a beautiful orshestral sound. Everyone playing the same instrument all the time – or even different instruments but the exact same notes at the exact same time all the time – even when technically mistake-free and precisely – is NOT beautiful music; at best, it is a beautiful melody. (At worst, it is soulless.) All kinds of very different instruments playing intricate harmonies, counter-melodies and even varying rhythms in synch with each other and with passion and expression . . . now THAT is beautiful music.
I am reminded of the description of the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12 – where each and every part is said to be as important and critical as any other.
Truly, there is a need for some kind of uniformity and communal standardization, but we were created as originals. We can’t allow ourselves to become copies.
Quote:Ray wrote…Truly, there is a need for some kind of uniformity and communal standardization, but we were created as originals. We can’t allow ourselves to become copies.
Quote:You were (created) as an original. Don’t become a copy.
Very good! I will be thinking about this for quite some time. I may even post it on the door for all at our home to read as they leave each day. Thanks Ray!
Love it!! I came across this post again today and thought I’d bump it up. I hope it helps someone, somehow.
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