A call home
Without a doubt, this is one of the hardest posts that I have written to date. It is clear of anger, it is clear of depression, it is clearly seen in my mind's eye. But translating it to words, is not easy. It is written only to target a very small group of people, though the application is nearly universal. It is a call home. While there are some who may think it is directed at them specifically, the very small group is spread out enough, that it may be you, but undoubtedly it includes someone else.
I beg that none take offense, for certainly none is intended.
First things first. I truly sing "We thank thee o god for a prophet" (LDS Hymn #19) in celebration of the call of a new prophet and president of the church. Truly unique will be those calls from the prophet, who's letter, or certificate contains the signature of the President of the Quorum of the Twelve, rather than President of the church. Are they any more, or less valid? Of course not, but as someone that loves historical uniqueness, I think that is pretty cool. Russell M. Nelson is truly the Lord's prophet on the earth today. With decades of wisdom, I am greatly comforted knowing that he leads the church.
Why do people leave activity in the church? Or maybe the church altogether? There are many reasons, of course. For me, it started with working on Sunday. That made it too easy to not attend. Not attending, by the way, for whatever reason, can become a very not good habit.
But what about those that have chosen to not be part of the body of Christ? Perhaps it is a doctrinal issue, not able to square, say, believing in the Theory of Evolution, with the idea that God created man and woman in His own image? Or perhaps, it is an LGBT issue, where the doctrine of the church doesn't allow for those relationships or lifestyles? That is much more in the news, and was used to denigrate one of the kindest, gentlest men to walk the earth. The NY Times obituary for President Thomas S Monson, spent paragraphs calling the church and by inference its President, homophobic, sexist, and so on.
Maybe it was an offense that we felt from a quorum member, or a leader of the church. It is SOOO easy for that to happen. It is never right of course, but when that happens, do WE not judge THEIR intent? Do we assume the worst? And on the unlikely event that their intent was malicious, are we not commanded to forgive our brother, so that we can be forgiven?
For some, no doubt, it is sin. And with that sin, pride. It is hard for us to own up to our actions, and face the Lord's judge and begin our path back to full fellowship. When we do, we often feel that people are looking at us. That they know what we did. We feel uncomfortable, and so decide to miss, and miss, and not come back.
At some point, we may feel the desire to return. We may want to come back, but don't know how to take that first step into a church. Because we feel that every one will be looking at us. I won't lie. Some are. But I promise that there are those there who would be glad to see us.
Feeling drawn to the light, but not ready to commit to change? Don't let that stop you. Want someone to sit with you? The missionaries will always be glad to sit with you. I would be glad to, if the travel is reasonable. Tell me when, and I will gladly walk in the church, and sit with you. I have shared this to the point of wearing it out, but it is absolutely true. President Harris, who was the Stake President for our stake in Idaho, and is now serving as a Mission President in Chile said "Brethren, if the back of your chapel doesn't smell like cigarette smoke, you are not doing your jobs!"
For years it was easy to not worry about attending the temple, or needing a temple recommend, as the nearest temple was too far away. But as more are built, and more convenient, that excuse wears thin. It did for me. I had that feeling that I had to change. Today, it is such an important part of me, that I feel awful for missing those years.
The light is within you. No matter where you are, no matter what you have done, or why you don't attend. With just a desire to believe, that light burns brighter. It is a beacon shining through ANY darkness. Pick up that Book of Mormon, and put old Moroni to the test. If you see the flicker of light in your life, don't ignore it, please.
Think of the blessings of the gospel. To know that the Lord's authority is on the earth, that Priesthood ordinances provide additional blessings for us, and not only prepare us, but give us opportunity, in the temple, to truly be saviors for those that have gone before. To feel the peace that can only be found in The House of the Lord. It is worth it. None of us are perfect, but know that through our faith, the grace of the Savior will be sufficient. Come join with us.
Please come home.
I beg that none take offense, for certainly none is intended.
First things first. I truly sing "We thank thee o god for a prophet" (LDS Hymn #19) in celebration of the call of a new prophet and president of the church. Truly unique will be those calls from the prophet, who's letter, or certificate contains the signature of the President of the Quorum of the Twelve, rather than President of the church. Are they any more, or less valid? Of course not, but as someone that loves historical uniqueness, I think that is pretty cool. Russell M. Nelson is truly the Lord's prophet on the earth today. With decades of wisdom, I am greatly comforted knowing that he leads the church.
Why do people leave activity in the church? Or maybe the church altogether? There are many reasons, of course. For me, it started with working on Sunday. That made it too easy to not attend. Not attending, by the way, for whatever reason, can become a very not good habit.
But what about those that have chosen to not be part of the body of Christ? Perhaps it is a doctrinal issue, not able to square, say, believing in the Theory of Evolution, with the idea that God created man and woman in His own image? Or perhaps, it is an LGBT issue, where the doctrine of the church doesn't allow for those relationships or lifestyles? That is much more in the news, and was used to denigrate one of the kindest, gentlest men to walk the earth. The NY Times obituary for President Thomas S Monson, spent paragraphs calling the church and by inference its President, homophobic, sexist, and so on.
Maybe it was an offense that we felt from a quorum member, or a leader of the church. It is SOOO easy for that to happen. It is never right of course, but when that happens, do WE not judge THEIR intent? Do we assume the worst? And on the unlikely event that their intent was malicious, are we not commanded to forgive our brother, so that we can be forgiven?
For some, no doubt, it is sin. And with that sin, pride. It is hard for us to own up to our actions, and face the Lord's judge and begin our path back to full fellowship. When we do, we often feel that people are looking at us. That they know what we did. We feel uncomfortable, and so decide to miss, and miss, and not come back.
At some point, we may feel the desire to return. We may want to come back, but don't know how to take that first step into a church. Because we feel that every one will be looking at us. I won't lie. Some are. But I promise that there are those there who would be glad to see us.
Feeling drawn to the light, but not ready to commit to change? Don't let that stop you. Want someone to sit with you? The missionaries will always be glad to sit with you. I would be glad to, if the travel is reasonable. Tell me when, and I will gladly walk in the church, and sit with you. I have shared this to the point of wearing it out, but it is absolutely true. President Harris, who was the Stake President for our stake in Idaho, and is now serving as a Mission President in Chile said "Brethren, if the back of your chapel doesn't smell like cigarette smoke, you are not doing your jobs!"
For years it was easy to not worry about attending the temple, or needing a temple recommend, as the nearest temple was too far away. But as more are built, and more convenient, that excuse wears thin. It did for me. I had that feeling that I had to change. Today, it is such an important part of me, that I feel awful for missing those years.
The light is within you. No matter where you are, no matter what you have done, or why you don't attend. With just a desire to believe, that light burns brighter. It is a beacon shining through ANY darkness. Pick up that Book of Mormon, and put old Moroni to the test. If you see the flicker of light in your life, don't ignore it, please.
Think of the blessings of the gospel. To know that the Lord's authority is on the earth, that Priesthood ordinances provide additional blessings for us, and not only prepare us, but give us opportunity, in the temple, to truly be saviors for those that have gone before. To feel the peace that can only be found in The House of the Lord. It is worth it. None of us are perfect, but know that through our faith, the grace of the Savior will be sufficient. Come join with us.
Please come home.
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