Yesterday afternoon, James got a phone call asking if he would mind helping give a blessing of healing to a less active member of the ward. We didn't recognize the name, even though this sister lives right up the road from us. He said yes, and waited for the other brother to come by the house to pick him up. It turns out the sister is one-half of a less active couple: A lesbian couple.
Both ladies are members of the church, or at least were at some point in their lives. They obviously still have some sort of testimony of the gospel or else they probably wouldn't have called their home teacher and asked for a blessing. Heck, the fact that they 1) have ahome teacher and 2) feel comfortable calling him is something in and of itself.
There's been a lot of hatred and bitterness from both sides of the Prop 8 fence. I think those of us of the LDS persuasion here in the south have been a bit isolated from it all, especially those of us who live here in south Georgia. I mean, honestly, how many of you reading this post right now have regular contact with someone who is gay, let alone LDS? We haven't seen the sadness and grief and division this issue has caused between family members.
Along those same lines, I wonder how these women would be treated if they were to walk into our Sunday meetings one Sabbath day. Would we welcome them with open arms and with love in our hearts? I'm sure some would, but I'm sad to say that most probably would not. I've heard too many snide and cruel remarks by members over these past fews months to have that hope.
Perhaps I'm underestimating my brothers and sisters in Christ. Perhaps I'm overestimating my own ability to be Christ-like and kind and welcoming. All I know that is today, I have been humbled and reminded of Heavenly Father's love and mercy for ALL of his children. His blessings are not mine exclusively. His blessings are not just for those who think and feel the way I do. These women must know that there are some members who would hate and revile them, yet they still feel the light of Christ in their lives. It's something to think about.
What To Do With Nasturtiums
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[image: What to do with nasturtiums]
What to do with nasturtiums
Place the pot in a sunny location with a temperature of 55-70°F. Water your
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1 year ago
5 comments:
Meridian Magazine has a fabulous article today by Paul Bishop, along these lines. I would do a link but don't know how.
I went and found the article, Mom. (It can be found here if anyone else wants to read it.) You're right- it's a good article. I especially like this part-
"Sexual orientation is not a requirement for Church membership. The actions of each member determines their individual temple recommend and righteousness in living. "
However, I think the article still is drawing a line in the sand, saying it US and THEM. Christ doesn't seperate us out like that, though. Satan's greatest advantage is in dividing us. To me, *that* is the real danger. I'm not in any danger from Satan by being kind to the (hypothetical) homosexual that moves in next door to me, but the moment I start spewing hatred and bigotry toward them is when I let Satan be in control of me.
I have felt very sad for all the Mormons there having to endure all the hatred coming there way. Especially when the LDS population there only stands for 2-4% of the voting population. Students in seminary tell stories of dealing with the hatred coming toward them from school teachers and other students--these kids aren't even of voting age.
I was surprised that the church came and took an official stand, just because they stay out of politics in most cases. Obviously keeping marriage as is is an important thing.
The thing I think was lost in everything was that the church wasn't against homosexuals having rights, just against changing the definition of marriage.
I've always been amazed how much hatred is also out the opposite direction, toward homosexuals. I mean if you believe that homosexuality is a sin, it's one that doesn't hurt any unwilling participant. Unlike so many other sins, lying, abuse, murder, adultery, etc that truly harm others. So why so much hatred?
I am so far away from getting anything right, so who am I to judge someone else's life.
What an experience. It makes you think and re-evaluate doesn't it. It is a touchy issue, but one that the church has made a strong stand on. Living out west it is a part of our everyday lives. I have friends who are gay and lesbian. I don't condone what they do, but I don't judge. They know where Phillip and I stand and we agree to disagree. They aren't the radicals that would throw a rock through our window, as neither are we. They are good people who don't understand the laws of God. If they really knew Him and His plan they would not live the way they do. This doesn't make them bad, just lacking in their relationship with Heavenly Father. God doesn't love them any less than those of us that believe the gosple of Christ.
"They are good people who don't understand the laws of God. If they really knew Him and His plan they would not live the way they do. This doesn't make them bad, just lacking in their relationship with Heavenly Father."
Laura, I understand what you're getting at, but I don't think I really agree with it totally, especially the part about them not understanding the laws of God, and lacking their realtionship with Him.
I think it's disingenuois to assert that because we are ALL sinners. Does that mean I don't understand His plan or laws? Absolutely not! It just means that I am human and subject to my own, well, humanity.
I would hope no one would judge my relationship with Heavenly Father as "lacking", simply because I make human choices and mistakes, based on my own limited understanding.
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