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Not sure if this has already been shared. My favourite part:
Quote:
Since no particular group has a monopoly on all that is wise, beautiful and just, everyone can learn from everyone else. Our experiences have gaps that need to be bridged, and our perspectives have blind spots that need to be filled. We find meaning in human connection when we climb out of ourselves and discover the dignity of others, even if we disagree. And no one should have to give up their identities.
I like the first sentence, especially when applied to Mormonism.
I hadn’t read it. I like the entire thing. I wish these, as well as the LDS.org essays, were reprinted in Ensign and in church manuals. Truly excellent. I wish so badly every member understood, accepted, believed and practices this.
My comment actually is an understatement. This essay needs to be linked as one of our core resources. :thumbup: My only concern is that some members could read this and completely miss the point. While we read it and celebrate an encouragement to have diversity within Mormonism, others could read it as the church defending its right to be different to others (non-Mormons) and not have to adapt doctrine/policy to fit in with social trends. I’m not saying that’s the intent is the essay (I don’t think it is). I’m just a bit jaded of the way brilliant messages can get twisted into something different.
The Elder Holland “help though mind unbelief” talk and the “join with us” one from Elder Uchtdorf have both been taught by other people in very different ways than I read then.
All that said, I sit back and think, “so what?” So what if someone wants to ignore or misread the talks and essays that we love so much. At least it has been said and is in writing for the next time we need to find and hug a small sliver of comfort in the often crazy storm of orthodoxy.
Love the message. And find it appeals to me greatly. The struggle for some that would resist this is the threat to their faith on what matters.
I was in Gospel Doctrine once when the teacher said the bumper sticker that teaches the ways of the devil is:
“Tolerance”
His point, and he used scriptures to back it up, is if we believe in everything, then we believe in nothing. And that is what the devil wants. The Lord wants us to conform to be like Christ. There is not other way.
No one sets out to want to exclude or hate others, but it happens when the conflict between “tolerance” and “commitment” clash. Just think of those who read this forum and think we are all lost and fallen and prideful wanting to follow our own ways instead of accepting the “Lord’s way” as given to us by church leaders.
I’m always trying to figure out ways to talk to people about this, because while I understand their different point of view, the tension seems to always exist.
This advice from Elder Oaks is important: Quote:We should love all people, be good listeners, and show concern for their sincere beliefs. Though we may disagree, we should not be disagreeable. Our stands and communications on controversial topics should not be contentious.
Many will take this as “mormons and non-mormons” conversations advice. It also needs to apply to a “mormons and mormons” advice. Those of us with a less conventional view of Mormon teachings need to apply this as much as we would hope it would be practiced by the more orthodox majority.
I’ve a “Church only” sub-list on facebook and recently shared this article and my favourite quote from it. The least we can do is support the positive messages and use opportunities to show our internal disagreement and an agreeable manner.
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