The world is watching our Church. It all seems so complicated right now.
Does it need to be this complicated? I don’t think so. I think the issues of today – the disciplinary councils, the movements, the pain, and the solutions – can be distilled to a few key doctrinal concepts. Here goes:
I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Perhaps you do, too. (If you don’t we could hook you up…)
1. All Are Welcome
I’m a member of the church. I have a friend who is a member of the church, and she doesn’t allow cheese on her pizza. (Crazy, right?) Mitt Romney belongs to the church, but so does Harry Reid – and they are like cats and dogs. There are millions of members of the church of a variety of ages, experience and convictions. They come from all over the world, with different degrees of education, likes, hobbies, talents and ideas.
We all belong to one church, with Jesus Christ at its head. He has given us the charge of being united – of being of one heart, and one mind. But we are all so very …different.
Last year, President Uchtdorf said “Regardless of your circumstances, your personal history, or the strength of your testimony, there is room for you in this Church. Come, join with us!” (link)
And he was right. We want everyone to come join with us. Everyone.
I have no desire, or joy in seeing people leave the church. I also wish no one would get excommunicated, or ask to have their names removed from the records of the Church. I find it tragic. I wish those people were able to live their lives in such a way that those results wouldn’t happen.
2) This is Christ’s Church, and He Runs It How He Chooses
One of the foundational doctrines of the Church is that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. That it belongs to Him, and He runs it.
The way He runs it is through calling servants – apostles and prophets – to represent Him, and lead the saints.
The Lord described the relationship through modern revelation when He said, “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, IT IS THE SAME.” (D&C 1:38) (emphasis added)
One of the most basic questions I can ask myself is this: Do I believe this? Do I REALLY believe that the voice of the prophets are the same as Jesus Christ’s? This question is at the core of most of the high profile attention the Church has been receiving lately.
If I can’t accept this basic principle, the rest of the doctrine, as well as the church, just descends into chaos – and I may as well stop there, because the rest won’t really work anymore.
Here’s why:
3) All Opinons Do Not Carry Equal Weight
I have ideas and opinions. You have ideas and opinions. We all have ideas and opinions. Jesus has ideas and opinions, too.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but do my opinions carry the same weight Jesus Christ’s opinions? Do yours? Do my opinions carry the same weight as President Monson’s?
If I believed that other people’s opinions, including my own, carried the same weight as the teachings of the living prophets, then we would find ourselves hurtling back in time to 1819 – before Joseph Smith was told by God that none of the existing Churches were true. Chaos would once again rule the religious landscape.
But that is not how it is. I believe that the Lord directs His church through living prophets. Currently, the president of the church is Thomas S. Monson. I believe he has been called of God to guide the church, and its members. I have chosen to believe that he is the Lord’s mouthpiece.
I have bet my life, and my eternal life, and the lives of my family on that choice. I did not make it lightly.
If I could not accept that President Monson, and each of the apostles speaks for God, then I could not buy into the whole of the church. I am very skeptical by nature – to me, it would all fall apart. That is why I had to find out for myself, through spiritual means, that they are called of God. That being done, I am prepared to accept them as the Lord’s spokesmen.
Why do we have a church at all? Several reasons, but the most important are to have a place and the authority to perform the ordinances necessary for salvation, and to help us in our journey to become more like the Savior, in order to return home.
Here’s where it starts getting a little complicated – and I am talking about doctrinal issues – not pizza preferences.
4) Entering the Church Is Merely the Beginning
In the same talk where President Uchtdorf extended his invitation to join with us, he added “We see baptism as the starting point in our journey of discipleship.” (link)
We are welcomed into the church with different ideas and opinions regarding many things – even the doctrines of the church, but that is the STARTING point – not the end. While the Church is a “Big Tent,” and everyone is welcome, once inside, we are supposed to work on moving in the same direction – not staking out our own territory.
One of the goals of mortality, and of the church, is to become united in heart and mind, by becoming more like Christ. Sure, I can start out with different ideas regarding the theology, but I surely can’t get to where I need to be if I hold fast to my preferred differences.
5) I have a Responsibility to Change
I can’t plant my flag and say “I’ve arrived, and here I plan to stay. I’ve got my own set of ideas, my strengths, my weaknesses and now I just need to wait it out.”
I need to be moving towards the Savior.
One of the ways I can do this is by taking inventory of where I am, what I am doing, and what I am thinking.
If I have a thought, and I look over and see that Jesus has a different thought – that means one of us is wrong. One of us needs to change, and move towards the other.
I’ll give you a hint: Jesus isn’t going to be giving up His idea and embracing mine – especially if it involves His church and doctrine.
Or, if I look over and see that the Brethren have an idea, and it is different than mine, then someone needs to change. Do I expect them to drop what they believe and embrace my ideas? I’m a proud man, but not that proud.
That is the very reason why we have to KNOW in our hearts that the voice of the Lord’s servants is the SAME as the voice of the Lord. That is the difference between choosing to follow with faith, and following blindly.
I can’t find a way to answer the interview question about sustaining the leaders of the church, and still cling to doctrinal views that oppose them. I just can’t comprehend how the terms “faithful” and “agitator” can co-exist within the church. There is no humility in thinking that I know better than the Lord, or his servants.
6) Not All Viewpoints Merit Our Consideration
As sons and daughters of God, all of us are of infinite value – however, all of our opinions are not.
There are an infinite number of viewpoints regarding church doctrine and practices. There are also many false voices out there suggesting that Jesus welcomes these opposing viewpoints. Based on what, exactly? I don’t recall him stopping the Sermon on the Mount to ask if anyone disagreed, Crossfire style.
If the Savior was OK with dissent, then I imagine that Korihor, and Zeezrom might have a bone to pick…
I have also seen people attempt to treat God’s Kingdom as a democracy – arguing that the dissent of a “loyal opposition” makes the church stronger, as if we were in system other than a theocracy. In a democracy, yes, but that idea runs counter to the very concept of Zion.
Lately, I have been accused of not giving proper consideration to people with doctrinal ideas other than my own. It is true – I don’t. My reasoning is simple:
There is “One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (link) – with a very narrow path to get there. (link) Everything else is wrong, and needs to be tossed out. Who has time for that? If I look at a dissenting opinion, and can tell right away that it doesn’t match up with the Lord or His servants, why would I spend one additional nanosecond contemplating it? Out it goes!
Life is too short to spend it disobeying the Lord’s counsel, when He said, “And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.” (Moroni 10:30) Those “things” can include opinions and beliefs.
There is so much to learn, that I find no value in learning more about things that the Lord’s servants have already declared incorrect.
The knee-jerk reaction to this will be, “MMM has his head in the sand.” Which is exactly wrong. I can find more truth in the simple words of a prophet than from a thousand essays promoting a falsehood.
Additionally, I am surely not going to share what is of little worth with people who trust me, or depend on me. I am supposed to “love my neighbor,” not put stumbling blocks in their way by posting faith destroying comments on my blog. (I am flattered that my detractors read me so faithfully.)
—-
7) We Should All Move Towards Unity (You , Me and the Savior)
Eventually, as I am willing to dump my thoughts that conflict with the Savior’s, and replace them with His – better – thoughts, I move closer towards Him.
There must be movement towards doctrinal unity between me and the Savior. There must be a lifelong process of learning what the Lord expects of me, and then me bending my will to accommodate it.
As this happens, I also move closer to those that are trying to do the same, and closer to that Zion-like ideal – to be of one heart and one mind with the rest of the saints. Or as Paul said,
“Till we all come to the unity of the faith…”
He goes on to say, “…and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13-15)
A few suggestions:
• Don’t get sucked in to the falsehood that we are obligated to entertain dissent, or that it is somehow polite or noble. It is cunning craftiness.
• Don’t believe that we must hold “every wind of doctrine” up for closer examination and compare it to the truth. It only invites chaos. (And wastes time.)
• Don’t let people tell you that the Holy Ghost taught them something that contradicts what the Lord’s servants have taught. You can know with assuredness that they have been deceived.
To those who find themselves at odds with what the Lord has revealed to His servants, I would invite you to join in the movement that the Lord directs through His servants.
Let’s stop spending our time and talents declaring, and defending our divisions, and accept the unity the Lord offers. It sounds almost…peaceful.
Let’s look to the Savior and His servants as we move forward in one of our essential earthly tasks: To give up what we want, and take on what Christ wants for us.
Here
Great take on things! Love reading your blog, some days we just need a reminder of what’s really important.
The most beautiful parts of this post are the simplicity and the experience. You have experienced what happens when you follow the prophet, and following the prophet is actually rather simple. So is the gospel of Christ, which is what the prophet teaches (go figure).
It’s an interesting time to be alive right now, watching what is happening within the gospel of Jesus Christ. I keep thinking of the prophecies from the Book of Mormon, the New Testament, Isaiah, and even since the Restoration. They seem to be unfolding before our very eyes, and yet so many cannot see it. It breaks my heart, even though I know it will continue to happen. I just pray my family might not be some of the deceived.
Thank you, as always, MMM, for pointing out what is most important.
Wonderful post! Thanks so much! 🙂
Thank you for being a voice of reason in all of this. What I love about this blog is that it is a place of sound reasoning–whatever you have to say, I know it will be faith-affirming and uplifting and in line with the doctrines of the Gospel. It is something of a relief.
Thank you for your words. I have had similar thoughts but had not put paper to pen and surely would not have done so quite as perfectly as you did. Thank you for your testimony and courage to defend the gospel I love.
Do you hide comments that disagree with your stance?
I publish some of them. If they are reasonable, and can be supported by sound doctrine, I usually will. If they are based merely on opinions that are not based on doctrine, I won’t. I have no desire to be a soapbox for people spouting false doctrine, apostate justifications, or dumb stuff. (You will note that I did allow 200 comments on how to make peanuts butter sandwiches – but THAT has little to do with out salvation.
Most of the comments agree with my views, mostly because like-minded people come here for a safe place, and because I am usually right. 🙂
Occasionally, I will post a rant that is dangerous (with commentary), just to remind people what is out there…
I love that you do this! I am always distressed by the ugliness that seems to follow any beautiful Christ-centered thought on our internet. I often avoid the comment sections completely, because it can overshadow the uplifting message I originally sought out. I am glad that I read these comments, and will feel free to do so on your site. Thank you for another excellent article!
A friend shared a wonderful talk given in 1973 by Elder Hartman Rector Jr. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1973/01/live-above-the-law-to-be-free?lang=eng. He said this:…”It seems that, at this day and time, everything is in a state of change. There appears to be nothing in this life that is not subject to erosion, or decay, or just change for the sake of change—like the new automobile models each year. There is only one place where we can go and find consistency, and that is where Joseph went: to the Lord, for “he is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” And the most important fact is that there is no place you can go where he is not.” …. Then he continues a bit later “Oh if only we could learn this lesson and look to his living prophet on earth! In this day and time, following the living prophet is the only way we can follow The Lord God and do His will. You can’t do it by quoting the dead prophets or ignoring or throwing rocks at the living prophets. Following the prophet today…is the only real safety we can know in this time of decay.” Powerful! And seems even more true today (about the changes happening) than back then…so prophetic. Great post, MMM. And great comments from your readers.
This is a beautiful post. Thank you for writing it. It reminded me of a talk by now Pres. Henry B. Eyring, “Jesus Christ is the light and the life of the world. If we do not choose to move toward Him, we will find that we have moved away. ” I can only ask myself that simple question about things, is this moving me closer to or further away from Christ, because there is no standing still.
And your #2 point is what I have felt all along, do I believe that Jesus Christ is leading or do I not? (Spoiler: I do!) There have been some onerous RS meetings lately about such media vomits and I hope that all that find themselves struggling may find how Jesus Christ can meet their needs. The scriptures are replete with examples of the needs of people being met very specifically.
Also, your post reminds me of J. Golden Kimball and how there were times that he questioned in his mind about what leaders in the church were doing but it really came down to if the Lord couldn’t take care of His church, what **** did J. Golden Kimball think he could do about it?! (Makes me laugh every time and probably isn’t truly from him but I like to laugh and so there it is.)
Thanks again and keep up the good work!
(Oh, your post about disciplinary councils was very informative and if I understand the Savior at all, his message is all about love so of course a disciplinary council would follow in the same vein.)
Thank you for sharing this. I am reminded of this Gordon B Hinkley Quote, “All are equal, but some are more equal than others”
The time is at hand. Here’s how I see it. All that has been prophesied before the 2nd coming has or is beginning to occur. Specifically, the whole media frenzy on ordination and what Mormons see as “marriage”.
Go to D&C 86:1-7. As I see it the Lord needs his dissenters as he does his faithful.
Here’s what Joseph Fielding Smith had to say,
“The tares and the wheat are growing together and have been growing in the same field for all these years, but the day is near at hand when the wheat will be garnered, and the tares likewise will be gathered to be burned, and there will come a separation, the righteous from the wicked, and it behooves each one of us to keep the commandments of the Lord, to repent of our sins, to turn unto righteousness, if there is need of repentance in our hearts.
Build up and strengthen the members of the Church in faith in God; goodness knows we need it. There are so many influences at work to divide us asunder, right among the members of the Church, and there is going to come, one of these days in the near future a separation of the wheat from the tares, and we are either wheat or tares. We are going to be on one side or the other.”
This is from a prophet of God more than 40 years ago. So folks, say what you want about Mormons, popular and intellectual dissent, secular views, and problematic views on marriage…but ancient and modern scripture will be fulfilled. Those of the Church of Jesus Christ and those not of the faith will in one way or another enable the fulfilling of scripture, prophesy, and revelation. There will be no fence sitting in the end.
D&C 121: 34 – 37 Many are called but few are chosen.
Read all of Matthew Chapter 24, especially verse 24. The very elect will be deceived too! Finally, Revelations 12:7-10, 12. The adversary knows his time is short.
Be faithful!
This is why I love this blog. The world is in total commotion and the media tries to make it feel like the church is divided and contentious. Yet I come here and read the words of a man saying, in essence, “What we really need is to follow the prophet absolutely. Even in our viewpoints.” Then dozens of other people comment with at least an “amen.” And I know I am not alone. I testify with MMM that as we follow living Prophets we are following the Savior. The blessings and happiness that flow from following their counsel are breathtaking.
This is a good post and good information. I would just add that in the Book of Mormon there are several times that the church struggled because of the members of the church not the non-members. Alma 4.it was because of the members the church was not growing. And it wasn’t just the small non leaders of the church. The Ramiumtum was built by members of the church, arrows were being shot at Samuel the Laminite by members of the church caught up in pride. Abinidi was killed by a king and priests who were members. We are told the scriptures were writen for us, if this is the case then what are these stories about pride here to teach us?
Thanks for the uplifting post. I’m just going to try to hold on to that iron rod.
Isn’t it interesting that there are many distractions in the world, to knock us out of the running, so to speak?
Only with Unity does the work really move forward. There is one who has been trying to cause contention in God’s family since at least the garden, and before. We need to focus on doing well with what we already have from God, and not be distracted, and then we shall be added upon. IMHO. 🙂
Thank you so much for this post. It is truly the simplest yet most well-reasoned post I’ve read on the “issue.” Loved it. Will be sharing it.
Thank you for your post. After I started reading it, it reminded me of the following primary song:
I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I know who I am.
I know God’s plan.
I’ll follow him in faith.
I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
I’ll honor his name.
I’ll do what is right;
I’ll follow his light.
His truth I will proclaim.
Some things are made to be more complicated than they should be.
Thank you for this fabulous post. I enjoy reading the messages of your commenters too, many of them have really great things to add to this conversation. So I am very thankful that the comments that I see here are positive and uplifting.
I am so impressed with the knowledge and faith that I get by coming to MMM. You are like a wise practical brother who I can go to for candid honest answers and a little humor to send me on my way.
I found myself in an uncomfortable conversation several months ago with a couple, similar to the one sister commenter shared above. Taken by surprise by the subject I was not very eloquent in my response. It is helpful to know there are others reading your blog who are like me and come for support and encouragement.
Peace has always come from following Jesus Christ and the leaders of His church. I wonder how much peace those involved in this current chaos are feeling right now?
Amen and thank you!
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about these words spoken in our last conference by Elder Anderson. I think this particular issue may be a time when some people have to cling to this principle and have faith in the promise that comes with it. I can only hope that if a time ever comes when, for me, the shoe is on my foot that I can do the same.
“learn to give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through His prophet. … There will be some things that take patience and faith. You may not like what comes. … It may contradict your political views … your social views … interfere with … your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord Himself, … ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against you … and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you …'” Elder Anderson from his talk Spiritual Whirlwinds.
That is a great quote. Thanks for adding it to the discussion, Amy.
That quote is actually from Harold B. Lee, quoted by Elder Anderson in his talk.
PERFECT!! I sent it to my kids. And their EC’s.
Thank you for this wonderful post. It has strengthened me. Thank you for defending the Lord’s anointed and His Church on the Earth.
One of my all time favorite posts and I forgot to comment on it! I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. You have a gift for taking what is in my heart and expressing it beautifully. (I’m a little jealous.) Thank you for this amazing post.
Despite my many weaknesses, faults, and quirks, I believe that I have a firm determination to submit fully to the Lord, to remain loyal to His anointed servants and His Church, and generally, to stay “close to the trunk,” as Joseph Smith might say (if the attribution is correct).
Brother MMM, your words have strengthened that determination further. Thank you!
Hmmm . . . sounds familiar, where have I heard this all before . . . let’s see, maybe the Book of Mormon! Sounds an awful lot like 3 Nephi, where pride, class distinctions, secret combinations became prevalent amongst the people. And if anyone needs a review . . . that’ didn’t work out so good. The way I see it we can choose Heavenly Father’s plan which has always been to strengthen his children through unity. Or we can choose the plan of the adversary which is to divide! Personally, I prefer the strength found in unity. Thank you for sharing . . . I agree wholeheartedly.
Kristin
MMM, I’m SO grateful your voice is out there on the internet! The world needs you at this time!!
Amen! I am guessing though, that Zeezrom is so consumed with gratitude for the Atonement and the unexpected and undeserved (like us all) mercy of the Lord and a chance to repent (Alma 10-15), and the opportunity to join in the work of the Lord (Alma 31), that he really wouldn’t have been up for any bone-picking anyway. In fact, he is probably somewhere right now in Spirit Prison teaching something like this “You know, there was a time when I thought I was really smart and knew better than the Lord’s servants . . . and then I found out differently . . . and there was a lot of pain and sorrow, but then there was learning, and service, and real purpose, and joy.” That’s my guess anyway.
You are probably right!!!
Thanks. I love when someone can simplify the thoughts of my heart and mind. I do get tossed about worrying if I will offend to not entertain someone’s viewpoint, but overall, this has been my thought process (although less defined) regarding choices of a few. I just feel sad, but I don’t have to go to other sources to find out if what they say is true. Sometimes I think I should, but the Spirit has let me know it’s a “waste of (my) time”. I know what God has said and believe his disciples. I’m imperfect, but I’m grateful for my testimony. Today, after reading some things last night, I woke up and it was easier to get to church and be there. I felt more grateful for my trials that humble me and my children. If they were gone, would my testimony be even what it is? If things were better, I might put too much stock in myself and not need the Lord so much. I felt so grateful. I’m sure I’ll have to remind myself of that again, but today there was some power in knowing. So grateful for a Heavenly Father that sees the big picture, a Savior who made it possible for me to make mistakes and keep trying to improve, and the Holy Ghost to let me know where the path is sometimes when I might step off.
Thank you so much for this post. I don’t feel that I can reveal in this public forum just why it is so meaningful to me, but please know that it has fortified me. I am so thankful there are others seeking to find the places where their will does not align with the will of God and His chosen servants and seeking to fortify those weak places that they can become strongholds. Sometimes the internet deceives us into thinking that we are the only ones left to stand up and be counted as true disciples of Christ and that maybe, just maybe we are wrong. We aren’t. And I’m so thankful that you’ve shown that today. “Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap, therefore if ye sow good, ye shall also reap good for your reward. Fear not, little flock, DO GOOD, let earth and he’ll combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. I do not condemn you. Go thy ways and sin no more. Perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you. Look unto me in every thought. Doubt not. Fear not. Behold the wounds in my side and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet. Be faithful, keep my commandments and you shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.” There is no doctrinal difference that is worth losing this blessing. From our God.
Beautiful thoughts, Julie! My sentiments exactly.
Love you, Julie!!
I agree with this, good post. I would add though that it is all too easy to over-dramatize things. We refer to Ordain Women as a “movement” and think of 2 potential excommunications of already-unbelieving members as being a big deal, and forget that it’s not a big deal.
The only reason people are even talking about these things is that they’re dramatized into public issues, in this case by ‘the press’ (led by the godbeite Salt Lake Tribune) and by Facebook posts from people who are rarely if ever close to the matter. We are playing into adversaries’ hands if we make it a bigger deal than it needs to be. The facts are that well over 95% of mormon women don’t want to be ordained even if it were an option, and that the 2 people being invited to discipline councils will only be removed from the church if they want to be- in which case they by all means should. People have been leaving the church since the beginning, and it’s actually much less common today than it used to be. Apostles used to leave the church, and today we grimace at even the thought of that- it used to be fairly common. If a couple antagonist bloggers’ potential excommunication is threatening to our faith, we should be spending more time solidifying that faith and less time worrying about a few people we don’t know. The press covers them because the press profits off of controversy, and there is a dearth of “real” controversy in the church.
If we pretend like a few disbelievers are going to derail God’s kingdom, or if we let them derail us personally, we’re being very wimpy Christians. Covenant people are wise to not call ‘chaos’ what is simply life and a few individuals’ choices.
“Perceived Chaos” perhaps?
Sarah: I chose not to publish your comment, because it started with a distortion of what I have written. I did not say that the Lord does not value us equally. I said that all voices are not equally weighted. We are all sons and daughters of God, we are all equally eligible for exaltation – but we are not all equally eligible to speak for God.
Cool. Way cool.
Clarifying, and others are also stepping forward to defend the Faith. I would have to say your previous post was outstanding as well.
People are people are people, but there is only one gospel of Jesus Christ. (Sharing!)
Hit the nail right on the head again, MMM! Thank you!
I saw the snow monkey’s and they were pretty amazing but this post is definately
your WALK-OFF HOME RUN!!
Thank you! Well said!
Thank you!
Beautiful.
“Let’s look to the Savior and His servants as we move forward in one of our essential earthly tasks: To give up what we want, and take on what Christ wants for us.”
I want it, to give up what I want and take on what Christ wants for me.
Thank you.
There are so many great points in this post and I’ll need to re-visit it to digest it all! Here is what stood out to me today: “Don’t get sucked in to the falsehood that we are obligated to entertain dissent, or that it is somehow polite or noble. It is cunning craftiness.”I like how straightforward this is. Somehow we have been conditioned to have to listen to grey areas/false doctrines/philosophies because we don’t know how (or are afraid) to kindly but firmly call dissent for what it is. We may worry about being called as judgmental or self-righteous by some within our own fold. Yet we are required to judge because it is what protects us from the cunning craftiness of the adversary.
So some may be wondering this now (and something I’ve wondered about for a long time): how do we tackle these issues in real-life situations? I had a family member just last week tell me she was at dinner with some people in her ward who had some opinions on church history and doctrine that were echoing exactly what she has seen in the echo chambers of feminist blogs (recently in the media) and the comments were in direct opposition to the doctrine (but with loyal opposition, of course). It was not about what the doctrine currently is but pulling speculative and obscure references and quotes to justify an alternate opinion on some doctrines. It caught my sister so off guard. These people were so prepared (and almost excited) to have a chance to push these philosophies onto others. It was difficult for her to see the fading of faith and the strengthening of opinions from liberal LDS echo chambers. She wants to know how to handle it in the future and I’m going to have her read this blog post. I think it will answer her questions. But how to do it tactfully, kindly and still directly? It can be tough!
Additionally, I am surely not going to share what is of little worth with people who trust me, or depend on me. I am supposed to “love my neighbor,” not put stumbling blocks in their way by posting faith destroying comments on my blog. (I am flattered that my detractors read me so faithfully.)
I am very grateful that you don’t give the adversary a pulpit. Thank you for keeping this a faith strengthening forum.
I shared this on FB and added that you are one of my heros. Thank you, thank you!
The best post you’ve ever written (and that’s saying something!). Thank you for your fearless blogging and the clarity it brings.
Thank you! But did you see the Snow Monkeys post? It was pretty awesome.
Too true! All of it. Why on earth we make it so hard for ourselves (and I’m including myself in that question) I do not know. Faith is a huge step in the journey and some of us make a long walk of it. I’m grateful to people like yourself who bring us back to a simpler path. 🙂
AMEN!!
Amen and well said. Thank you MMM!
AMEN, and amen! Thanks for standing up to defend the Gospel, MMM. 🙂