The other day we had a lesson in Relief Society on the scriptures and the question was asked, “How can we teach our children to love the scriptures?” Good question and many great answers were given like scripture reading with your children daily, having picture books for them to look at or teaching how to apply scripture concepts into their lives. All these were great responses but as I’ve pondered this recently a concept came to me that goes even deeper than those normal answers. It is the concept of… not being neutral.
I hope I’m the only one who recalls times when daily scripture reading was done in a monotone voice that conveyed duty, rather than interest or pleasure. When was the last time you read as a family where you had great discussions about a concept? I remember the “light bulb” moments when our family stopped reading and a whole concept was discussed and shared by all. We progressed from being neutral in our scripture reading to an elevated level of understanding regarding what we were studying. Those were my favorite Family Home Evenings! The spirit testified, taught and helped bond us together as a family. A love for the scriptures developed as we shared our excitement for what we were learning and discussing together. We need to become passionate and excited about what we are reading not passive.
This concept doesn’t stop with just reading scriptures Think about having an attitude of neutrality in other areas of the gospel and how it may affect your family. Are you neutral when it comes to having your children go on missions or on issues of morality or ethical values? Can you consider the potential damage when you as a mother take a neutral stand on pressing issues or if you allow your child without direction, encouragement or enthusiasm on your part to decide for themselves where they stand? Neutral behavior and attitudes can dangerously influence your child to make incorrect decisions later on in their life.
President Henry B. Eyring expressed: “The pure gospel of Jesus Christ must go down into the hearts of [our children] by the power of the Holy Ghost. Seeking to be neutral about the gospel is, in reality, to reject the existence of God and His authority.” Moral Discipline by D. Todd Christofferson November 2009
Scriptures teach us about opposition in all things. This shouldn’t convey extremes, but rather contrasting differences, like light and darkness, good and evil. If we choose neutrality when faced with good and evil, on whose side do we stand? In fact, if we choose neutrality in life we, in actuality, do not choose. “Choice” is an action word such as in taking a stand for good and against evil while “neutral” is void of action. Make your choice and let your children know how you feel about principles and especially the Gospel.
We were not neutral in our pre-mortal life. We knew what we wanted and we stood strong. We were passionate and opinionated in our views without being overbearing and outspoken. This is what we must be again. If a child learns from your neutral example and remains neutral themselves on matters of eternal importance they will be easily swayed when the winds of choice start blowing. You can’t push your opinion of gospel topics and principles onto your children but you can show your love, enthusiasm and excitement for what you think and feel. Let them feel it and let them know your opinions with love and parental compassion. This will bless your family more than anything you can do.
Showing posts with label Character. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Character. Show all posts
Tuesday
Wednesday
The Most Important Things for a Baby
Diapers, Onesies, Tylenol… my list went on. I sat in my son’s room worried I was missing something. He was due to be born any day and I wanted his arrival into my home to be perfect. I wanted to welcome him with everything of worldly comfort be able to provide for his every need. Plagued with worry, I was determined to settle my fear by going through my list just one last time. When I finished, I asked myself, “Am I now prepared for my baby’s arrival? Do I have all the essentials? Being satisfied with my preparation, yet still feeling a lingering void, the thought came to my mind, “Of course, I’m prepared. The most important thing I can five my son is knowledge of the Gospel, the knowledge of who he is and what he can become.” I was taken back at the simplicity of my thought and, in a way, felt somewhat foolish for focusing on the superficial. After all, I could provide nothing greater for my son! By teaching him about his Heavenly Father’s plan, I would be able to five him the knowledge and the tools that many search for their entire lives but fail to find… the true gospel and eternal truths.
How different my perspective was as I went through my checklist again, thinking only of my spiritual preparation for his arrival. No longer was proving for his temporal needs quite as important to me as my ability to teach him of his divine inheritance. I couldn’t help but realize how easy it had been to accumulate the tangible for my son, but what about my own personal preparation? Had I been just as vigilant in seeking out qualities and attitudes in myself that would foster in my child a love of the lord and an environment that would enable him to fulfill his potential? The peace I felt that morning was overwhelming, as I realized I was indeed ready to welcome into my care a child of God.
Motherhood, I have discovered is full of moments such as this. It was only when I saw my baby for the first time that I understood the enormity of responsibility I held in my arms. As a mother who had just been given the most miraculous gift from above, I realized my responsibility in providing him the essentials necessary to return home to his loving Father in Heaven. I looked at him as I have looked at no one else before and beheld for the first time the endless potential my baby, like each of us, hold inside. What an incredible responsibility to awaken that potential and how grateful I am the Gospel provides the pattern to do so.
President Hinckley has said, “Let every mother realize that she has no greater blessing than the children which have come to her as a gift of the almighty; that she has no greater mission than to rear them in light and truth, and understanding and love; that she will have no greater happiness than to see them grow into young men and women who respect principles of virtue, who walk free from the stain of immorality.”
Now that I’m a mother, I look at the world differently. In my interactions with others, it’s obvious how stifled many of us have become because of failure to nurture this knowledge, knowledge that we are sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father. As mothers however, we are blessed with the constant reminder our children give us as they portray very clearly the divine nature and inherent beauty we all hold inside. The challenge lies in helping our children see themselves as we do. To help them realize their potential.
If I were to go back and rewrite my list of necessary items essential to welcoming a new baby into this world, I would list the obvious such as consistent family home evenings, daily scripture study and family prayer. In addition, however, I would add things such as a soft loving voice, kind uplifting words, open arms and patience, just to name a few. We live in a world that lacks of love. It is substituted with the tangible and the temporary, but we a Latter-day Saint mothers can provide our children with a lasting knowledge of joy and happiness and warmth only a righteous mother can give.
I watch my son now who is nearly seven months. He’s gone through his stash of diapers, stained all his Onesies and kept me up late at night on a few occasions battling one ailment or another. I’m quickly learning motherhood requires adaptability, but one constant remains and that is my love for him. Quite often I find myself reflecting on that moment of peace I felt just seven short months ago. In moments both of happiness and discouragement, I remember my purpose as his mother, and find great satisfaction knowing I am taking part in nurturing this child of God.
How different my perspective was as I went through my checklist again, thinking only of my spiritual preparation for his arrival. No longer was proving for his temporal needs quite as important to me as my ability to teach him of his divine inheritance. I couldn’t help but realize how easy it had been to accumulate the tangible for my son, but what about my own personal preparation? Had I been just as vigilant in seeking out qualities and attitudes in myself that would foster in my child a love of the lord and an environment that would enable him to fulfill his potential? The peace I felt that morning was overwhelming, as I realized I was indeed ready to welcome into my care a child of God.
Motherhood, I have discovered is full of moments such as this. It was only when I saw my baby for the first time that I understood the enormity of responsibility I held in my arms. As a mother who had just been given the most miraculous gift from above, I realized my responsibility in providing him the essentials necessary to return home to his loving Father in Heaven. I looked at him as I have looked at no one else before and beheld for the first time the endless potential my baby, like each of us, hold inside. What an incredible responsibility to awaken that potential and how grateful I am the Gospel provides the pattern to do so.
President Hinckley has said, “Let every mother realize that she has no greater blessing than the children which have come to her as a gift of the almighty; that she has no greater mission than to rear them in light and truth, and understanding and love; that she will have no greater happiness than to see them grow into young men and women who respect principles of virtue, who walk free from the stain of immorality.”
Now that I’m a mother, I look at the world differently. In my interactions with others, it’s obvious how stifled many of us have become because of failure to nurture this knowledge, knowledge that we are sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father. As mothers however, we are blessed with the constant reminder our children give us as they portray very clearly the divine nature and inherent beauty we all hold inside. The challenge lies in helping our children see themselves as we do. To help them realize their potential.
If I were to go back and rewrite my list of necessary items essential to welcoming a new baby into this world, I would list the obvious such as consistent family home evenings, daily scripture study and family prayer. In addition, however, I would add things such as a soft loving voice, kind uplifting words, open arms and patience, just to name a few. We live in a world that lacks of love. It is substituted with the tangible and the temporary, but we a Latter-day Saint mothers can provide our children with a lasting knowledge of joy and happiness and warmth only a righteous mother can give.
I watch my son now who is nearly seven months. He’s gone through his stash of diapers, stained all his Onesies and kept me up late at night on a few occasions battling one ailment or another. I’m quickly learning motherhood requires adaptability, but one constant remains and that is my love for him. Quite often I find myself reflecting on that moment of peace I felt just seven short months ago. In moments both of happiness and discouragement, I remember my purpose as his mother, and find great satisfaction knowing I am taking part in nurturing this child of God.
What Is God's Part Anyway
Finals week for student is always stressful and rightly so. It is just what is says… they are being tested on their total knowledge gained during the past semester. The grade is final and stays on their record all the way to college and even beyond. The accumulation of these grades can allow them to go on the university of their choice … or prevent them from doing so! There is generally no mercy if they get a poor grade. No going back to renegotiate because they have been tested, graded and that is final!
I found a post-it note on my computer one morning after my son had been up most of the night studying for his math final. The note read, “Hi Mom, I’ve worked hard in math all semester. I have been tutored, stayed after school to get help and have always done my homework. I have done my part so what is God’s part in helping me do well on this final?” I smiled at his question and also his, tongue in cheek, sense of humor. I also thought to myself, “How am I going to answer this one?” After he woke up and got ready for seminary we had family prayer and asked the Lord to bless him with a clear mind during the test.
I have found it hard as a mother to describe to my children how prayers are answered. Explaining this concept is not always so cut and dried as other questions they ask. The requests in our prayers have different levels of importance and there are some situations in life when the Lord expects you to grow and learn on your own, coming up with your personal solutions and even possibly making mistakes because of them. In our home we often ask the question, “How important is that in the eternal aspect of things? Our father in Heaven hears what we say and knows our concerns yet agency is never compromised. How can we explain that prayers are answered…but it may not be with a letter grade?
I was visiting an institute class with my older son in Iowa and the topic was keeping an eternal perspective in this busy world we live in. The prophet Moses was used as the example. Before he began the task of bringing the Israelites out of Egypt Moses needed an understanding of God’s eternal perspective and plan to help him get through the tasks and trials of his calling. Mosses had been raised in an environment and with the knowledge that Pharaoh was god and therefore, “all powerful.” He had seen this power in use during the first forty years of his life. Therefore, Moses needed to have a sure knowledge that God is God, the one who created the worlds and the task Moses was asked to do would be possible only though His eternal power. As obstacles came in his way Moses would need this confidence to accomplish his assignment. Our children need to develop this same confidence in the tasks they are here to do. Moses was shown all of God’s creations that allowed him to see the importance of his task from an eternal perspective. In preparation Moses was also told several times that he was, His son,” and had been called by God to complete this work and therefore a way would be provided for him to accomplish the assigned task. My favorite verse is in Moses 1:6 where the Lord tells him, “That all things are present with me, for I know them all.”
This thought gave me insight how to explain to my son that the Lord is very well aware of all his concerns, even his math final. In the eternal aspect of things the Lord is not going to rescue him from failure if he has not done his part in preparation. There is wisdom in letting us experience agency and accountability! My son needed to understand that God’s part has already been done and the tools for him to succeed are already in place. From an eternal perspective He allowed my son to be born in the time when knowledge is ours for the taking. He lives here in a country where freedom to learn is encouraged. He gave him a healthy body with the ability to think, reason and solve problems. He is a child of God who is known personally by his Father in Heaven and knows of his concerns. He has provided a plan where he may always correct errors made during this test of life and mercy will always be extended in his behalf. (This is more than the school system can offer!) He has given him a constant companion to guide him through uncertain times but the one thing He will not do for my son is to come and take the math test. Achievement results on this temporal test will be exactly what he earned with the help of a clear mind and his own preparation. He is a child of God and has those attributes to succeed in any task given to him.
The real question is: “What is your part to help yourself do well in math? Have you developed a drive to achieve your best? Do you have a desire to work and study hard? Do you have the courage necessary to ask questions and seek help when needed? Do you take care of yourself spiritually and live in such a way that you can receive help from the Holy Ghost?” If you can say you have done your part then “God’s part” will be achieved. The eternal final is the one that we must keep continually in our thoughts and gain a true understanding of what part God plays in that test.
P.S. He did fine on the exam plus gained a new understand of “God’s part” in the many small tests along this eternal road.
I found a post-it note on my computer one morning after my son had been up most of the night studying for his math final. The note read, “Hi Mom, I’ve worked hard in math all semester. I have been tutored, stayed after school to get help and have always done my homework. I have done my part so what is God’s part in helping me do well on this final?” I smiled at his question and also his, tongue in cheek, sense of humor. I also thought to myself, “How am I going to answer this one?” After he woke up and got ready for seminary we had family prayer and asked the Lord to bless him with a clear mind during the test.
I have found it hard as a mother to describe to my children how prayers are answered. Explaining this concept is not always so cut and dried as other questions they ask. The requests in our prayers have different levels of importance and there are some situations in life when the Lord expects you to grow and learn on your own, coming up with your personal solutions and even possibly making mistakes because of them. In our home we often ask the question, “How important is that in the eternal aspect of things? Our father in Heaven hears what we say and knows our concerns yet agency is never compromised. How can we explain that prayers are answered…but it may not be with a letter grade?
I was visiting an institute class with my older son in Iowa and the topic was keeping an eternal perspective in this busy world we live in. The prophet Moses was used as the example. Before he began the task of bringing the Israelites out of Egypt Moses needed an understanding of God’s eternal perspective and plan to help him get through the tasks and trials of his calling. Mosses had been raised in an environment and with the knowledge that Pharaoh was god and therefore, “all powerful.” He had seen this power in use during the first forty years of his life. Therefore, Moses needed to have a sure knowledge that God is God, the one who created the worlds and the task Moses was asked to do would be possible only though His eternal power. As obstacles came in his way Moses would need this confidence to accomplish his assignment. Our children need to develop this same confidence in the tasks they are here to do. Moses was shown all of God’s creations that allowed him to see the importance of his task from an eternal perspective. In preparation Moses was also told several times that he was, His son,” and had been called by God to complete this work and therefore a way would be provided for him to accomplish the assigned task. My favorite verse is in Moses 1:6 where the Lord tells him, “That all things are present with me, for I know them all.”
This thought gave me insight how to explain to my son that the Lord is very well aware of all his concerns, even his math final. In the eternal aspect of things the Lord is not going to rescue him from failure if he has not done his part in preparation. There is wisdom in letting us experience agency and accountability! My son needed to understand that God’s part has already been done and the tools for him to succeed are already in place. From an eternal perspective He allowed my son to be born in the time when knowledge is ours for the taking. He lives here in a country where freedom to learn is encouraged. He gave him a healthy body with the ability to think, reason and solve problems. He is a child of God who is known personally by his Father in Heaven and knows of his concerns. He has provided a plan where he may always correct errors made during this test of life and mercy will always be extended in his behalf. (This is more than the school system can offer!) He has given him a constant companion to guide him through uncertain times but the one thing He will not do for my son is to come and take the math test. Achievement results on this temporal test will be exactly what he earned with the help of a clear mind and his own preparation. He is a child of God and has those attributes to succeed in any task given to him.
The real question is: “What is your part to help yourself do well in math? Have you developed a drive to achieve your best? Do you have a desire to work and study hard? Do you have the courage necessary to ask questions and seek help when needed? Do you take care of yourself spiritually and live in such a way that you can receive help from the Holy Ghost?” If you can say you have done your part then “God’s part” will be achieved. The eternal final is the one that we must keep continually in our thoughts and gain a true understanding of what part God plays in that test.
P.S. He did fine on the exam plus gained a new understand of “God’s part” in the many small tests along this eternal road.
Try For The Sake Of Trying
We were picking out a movie to rent the other day and in the comedy section one interesting DVD jacket read…“If at first you don’t succeed, lower your standards!” We all had a good chuckle about that idea and inwardly I felt rewarded that my children could see the reverse psychology behind the comment. Too often the world’s view is telling us to be happy with apathy and passiveness. Negative comments from others prevent a child from thinking they can achieve something never tried before. Self-doubt stops a child from making an effort to attempt a new challenge.
One of the greatest gifts a mother can five her child is the encouragement to try. There are so many little catch phrases that we hear all the time on this topic. “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” “Never, never give up.” “When the going gets tough the tough get going.” “Anything the mind of man can conceive, it can achieve.” These are not new concepts. Every motivational speaker has several of these clichés in their speeches. Our own prophet encourage us to not be afraid to achieve. President Kimball’s phrase, “Just Do It,” (Do it, Do it right and do it right now!”) is a family motto in many homes.
I personally am a firm believer in the poser of “one” and the influence he or she can have on the group. But this influence will not be felt if one never tries. Positive encouragement for a child to be a participant instead of a spectator is acted upon when it comes from someone they trust. An individual’s decision to run for an office at school, give a speech, write an article for the school newspaper on their viewpoint, reach out to make a new friends, try out for an athletic team, apply for a scholarship or a myriad of other opportunities comes mainly from an outside source. Let that influence and encouragement come from you.
There is something to be gained by just trying. We don’t win everything we try out for nor does everyone agree with our viewpoints but the act of doing makes us a better person and gives us the experience to finally succeed. For most of us, this is a better person and gives us the experience to finally succeed. For most of us, this is a learned behavior and that is why encouragement from the outside is so important. Success is usually not reached on the first attempt. Ralph Waldo Emerson stated, “That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do…not that the nature of the thing is changed, but our power to do so is increased.” Your children cannot see their own potential as you do. Our job as mothers and parents is to help them see it and achieve it!
Theodore Roosevelt said it this way. “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
There is a saying that we recite in our family that goes… “There are those individuals who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened.” This saying when contemplated can bring about positive introspection and self-analysis. Who wants to be the one who wonders what happened? Or even who saw it happen. Remind your child that, “It doesn’t hurt to try” … compare and enlighten them that the lasting hurt is in not trying!
One of the greatest gifts a mother can five her child is the encouragement to try. There are so many little catch phrases that we hear all the time on this topic. “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” “Never, never give up.” “When the going gets tough the tough get going.” “Anything the mind of man can conceive, it can achieve.” These are not new concepts. Every motivational speaker has several of these clichés in their speeches. Our own prophet encourage us to not be afraid to achieve. President Kimball’s phrase, “Just Do It,” (Do it, Do it right and do it right now!”) is a family motto in many homes.
I personally am a firm believer in the poser of “one” and the influence he or she can have on the group. But this influence will not be felt if one never tries. Positive encouragement for a child to be a participant instead of a spectator is acted upon when it comes from someone they trust. An individual’s decision to run for an office at school, give a speech, write an article for the school newspaper on their viewpoint, reach out to make a new friends, try out for an athletic team, apply for a scholarship or a myriad of other opportunities comes mainly from an outside source. Let that influence and encouragement come from you.
There is something to be gained by just trying. We don’t win everything we try out for nor does everyone agree with our viewpoints but the act of doing makes us a better person and gives us the experience to finally succeed. For most of us, this is a better person and gives us the experience to finally succeed. For most of us, this is a learned behavior and that is why encouragement from the outside is so important. Success is usually not reached on the first attempt. Ralph Waldo Emerson stated, “That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do…not that the nature of the thing is changed, but our power to do so is increased.” Your children cannot see their own potential as you do. Our job as mothers and parents is to help them see it and achieve it!
Theodore Roosevelt said it this way. “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
There is a saying that we recite in our family that goes… “There are those individuals who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened.” This saying when contemplated can bring about positive introspection and self-analysis. Who wants to be the one who wonders what happened? Or even who saw it happen. Remind your child that, “It doesn’t hurt to try” … compare and enlighten them that the lasting hurt is in not trying!
Sunday
Religious Differences
My Son came home from high school one day and expressed to me that his best friend from the year before had approached him about “the Mormon Church,” telling him about a class he was taking at his church and how wrong it was to be a Mormon. The friend was warning him and expressed to my son the need to learn about the mistakes he was making by being a Mormon. My son was unmoved about his so-called folly. His foundation of gospel knowledge and testimony was in tact. What really bothered him was his friend, who was changed from being his friend almost overnight. He could not understand this deviation in his friend’s behavior and opinion of him. What made this transformation in his friend is the clue to what happened. How we as mothers handle this situation is crucial to your child’s growth in social understanding and gospel steadfastness.
I received insight into this issue during the past week as I attended an open forum featuring Jan Shipps. She has a Doctorate in L.D.S. History and has been lecturing for the past 40 years declaring the Mormon Church is a Christian Church and should be recognized as such. The interesting fact is that she is not a member of the LDS church but an active member of the United Methodist Church. Somehow this gives her more credibility among the non-LDS groups. The forum I attended was open for ministers from all religions and was held at the School of Theology in Claremont, California. I went because I wanted to meet her as I have read several of her books.
The meeting invited an open setting with all of us facing in a circle. Questions and answers were discussed in a very educated, non-spiritual, straightforward way. With several ministers there from other faiths my curiosity was peaked and I could not help raising my hand and asking a question directed to them as leaders of their own flocks. I queried, “What is it that makes you so afraid of our church that you need to educated your youth against us?” Before anyone could respond I asked a follow-up question, “What can we do to build tolerance and understanding between our church and yours?”
I feel strongly that living in a diverse religious environment we to recognize not only our differences but also need to teach acceptance of each other as individuals in spite of those differences. We need to concentrate on how we are alike, not different. Los Angeles was just recognized as the city boasting the most religions in one concentrated area surpassing London, the previous leader. Our world especially here in California is a melting pot for religions so understanding and tolerating our differences needs to take place. I was able to express my point of view to these clergy in a very open manner.
I was interested in these clergies’ perception of us as a religion. Be it right or wrong they view us as a people who tell their youth that, “we are right and you are wrong.” One very outspoken clergy commented that our people have an almost arrogant, better than you attitude. His own experiences must have led him to this conclusion. If I remember church history correctly that attitude got the early Saints in a lot of trouble in Missouri. Needless to say, they see our youth as a threat to their your, potentially leading them away form their religious beliefs. They feel their youth need to be armed to ward off our advances. I don’t agree with these concepts but accepted their point of view.
The question is what can we do about this whole situation? Understanding the points they made and understanding where we are coming from I see that a line of demarcation needs to be established. A demilitarized zone atmosphere needs to be implemented so relationships of trust can be developed. The rest of the forum was a discussion on building tolerance and acceptance in spite of our differences, working together on community events and teaching these concepts to our congregations.
One concept that was discussed and agreed upon unanimously is the fact that the LDS church has changed from a “We take care of our own” concept to “We take care of the world” concept. They all knew of the generosity of our humanitarian programs and also acknowledged our activity in various communities inter-faith councils. I really felt those clergy walked away with a new understanding about us as a people.
Back to my son on his daily life in a high school where youth are taught that “Mormonism” is bad. I first told him I couldn’t think of a better role model than Mormon who stood strong when everyone was against him. Secondly, I can’t change what other religions teach their people, even though the forum I attended was a good start. I can, however, influence my son’s understanding of people and their fears. I have told him of other religions’ perception of us stealing their youth away from their own religious background and how important it is to be the best friend and best example of who he is and what he represents. His standards and goodness will always win over fear and misunderstanding. Confidence is one’s own beliefs do not mean the need to prove someone to be wrong to strengthen your own position. Truth and the spirit has it’s own natural way of drawing others to you.
I received insight into this issue during the past week as I attended an open forum featuring Jan Shipps. She has a Doctorate in L.D.S. History and has been lecturing for the past 40 years declaring the Mormon Church is a Christian Church and should be recognized as such. The interesting fact is that she is not a member of the LDS church but an active member of the United Methodist Church. Somehow this gives her more credibility among the non-LDS groups. The forum I attended was open for ministers from all religions and was held at the School of Theology in Claremont, California. I went because I wanted to meet her as I have read several of her books.
The meeting invited an open setting with all of us facing in a circle. Questions and answers were discussed in a very educated, non-spiritual, straightforward way. With several ministers there from other faiths my curiosity was peaked and I could not help raising my hand and asking a question directed to them as leaders of their own flocks. I queried, “What is it that makes you so afraid of our church that you need to educated your youth against us?” Before anyone could respond I asked a follow-up question, “What can we do to build tolerance and understanding between our church and yours?”
I feel strongly that living in a diverse religious environment we to recognize not only our differences but also need to teach acceptance of each other as individuals in spite of those differences. We need to concentrate on how we are alike, not different. Los Angeles was just recognized as the city boasting the most religions in one concentrated area surpassing London, the previous leader. Our world especially here in California is a melting pot for religions so understanding and tolerating our differences needs to take place. I was able to express my point of view to these clergy in a very open manner.
I was interested in these clergies’ perception of us as a religion. Be it right or wrong they view us as a people who tell their youth that, “we are right and you are wrong.” One very outspoken clergy commented that our people have an almost arrogant, better than you attitude. His own experiences must have led him to this conclusion. If I remember church history correctly that attitude got the early Saints in a lot of trouble in Missouri. Needless to say, they see our youth as a threat to their your, potentially leading them away form their religious beliefs. They feel their youth need to be armed to ward off our advances. I don’t agree with these concepts but accepted their point of view.
The question is what can we do about this whole situation? Understanding the points they made and understanding where we are coming from I see that a line of demarcation needs to be established. A demilitarized zone atmosphere needs to be implemented so relationships of trust can be developed. The rest of the forum was a discussion on building tolerance and acceptance in spite of our differences, working together on community events and teaching these concepts to our congregations.
One concept that was discussed and agreed upon unanimously is the fact that the LDS church has changed from a “We take care of our own” concept to “We take care of the world” concept. They all knew of the generosity of our humanitarian programs and also acknowledged our activity in various communities inter-faith councils. I really felt those clergy walked away with a new understanding about us as a people.
Back to my son on his daily life in a high school where youth are taught that “Mormonism” is bad. I first told him I couldn’t think of a better role model than Mormon who stood strong when everyone was against him. Secondly, I can’t change what other religions teach their people, even though the forum I attended was a good start. I can, however, influence my son’s understanding of people and their fears. I have told him of other religions’ perception of us stealing their youth away from their own religious background and how important it is to be the best friend and best example of who he is and what he represents. His standards and goodness will always win over fear and misunderstanding. Confidence is one’s own beliefs do not mean the need to prove someone to be wrong to strengthen your own position. Truth and the spirit has it’s own natural way of drawing others to you.
The Price of Peace
"The price of peace is righteousness. Men and nations may loudly proclaim, 'Peace, peace,' but there shall be no peace until individuals nurture in their souls those principles of personal purity, integrity, and character which foster the development of peace. Peace cannot be imposed. It must come from the lives and hearts of men. There is no other way."
--Ezra Taft Benson ,Quoted By Thomas S. Monson, "Finding Peace", Ensign, March 2004 |
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