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The following post is incredibly profound. I recommend it highly to everyone who reads and participates here. There is a lot to ponder in it. http://bycommonconsent.com/2014/12/20/the-importance-of-advocates/ The following are a couple of my favorite excerpts:
Quote:Peterson’s husband Oliver would say to her, “When you’re being attacked from both sides, you are better able to stand upright.”
Quote:I have not been an ideal Mormon. I moved east, drank coffee, played cards, and married a socialist who smoked a pipe—but I always lived by the principles that remain the foundation of the church. Throughout my life I have honestly tried to follow my own code of ethics—one that was formed by my parents and the Mormon hymns I sang as a girl. I challenged—but did not abandon—the moral code of the church during my years as an activist. And so, when other people ask me, “Are you a good Mormon?” I must smile and reply, “This is my life, now you decide.”
Quote:“I’m as Mormon as can be; I just didn’t go in for all the folderol (nonsense, foolish talk or ideas).”
Absolutely made my day to read this! Thanks Ray! What a remarkable woman! Interesting quote here: Quote:
May we, like Jesus and Esther Peterson, not get so caught up in the smaller matters of communal boundary-policing that we forget to understand and advocate for the oppressed and work together with them toward a more peaceful, loving world. Thus runs the road to Zion: let us follow it!The article leaves the playing field wide open for how a person might exist in the world or the church as an “advocate”, or, even simply live the major principles of the LDS church/gospel. It could mean that you advocate for the people who feel oppressed or left our in our religion — people with SSA, single people, people with socialist philosophies, and people who wear colored shirts to church
🙂 It also stresses the doctrine of the mean — the fact that Peterson worked on both sides of the fence — as a consumer advocate within big business, and an advocate for labor within a social political environment is a case in point.
Not sure what the article means for me — but one thing’s for sure. Since my own commitment crises, I’ve had this drive for independence from the claims the church makes on me personally. And Peterson’s work in the larger community feeds that desire.
I’ll just expand the quote that SD was quoting as well, as I think this is a very important message: Quote:Learning to hold fast to the things that matter while being flexible about the folderol is an important lesson to learn from Peterson, but also from Jesus, who struck the balance of being a good Jew rooted in the Shema and the biblical ethic of care for the underprivileged while puncturing what he perceived to be some of the false trappings that had grown up around Judaism.
May we, like Jesus and Esther Peterson, not get so caught up in the smaller matters of communal boundary-policing that we forget to understand and advocate for the oppressed and work together with them toward a more peaceful, loving world. Thus runs the road to Zion: let us follow it!
Thanks for sharing, Ray.
This past year, for me personally, has been a reminder of the value of having advocates. While I may think I can go at life on my own, I don’t need others to build a happy life…I have found at times if false accusations and character attacks are thrown…having true friends come to advocate for my character is a true blessing that truly makes a difference. It has helped me ask myself…”What are you doing Heber13, to advocate for justice and for others??” It has helped me refocus at church and the value of community. Even if I’m a mormon that may respond:
Quote:I’m as Mormon as can be, I just didn’t go in for all the folderol.
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