I hear so many accounts of people leaving the LDS Church because they found more spiritual growth outside of the Church, rather than inside with its "boring meetings", "dreadful art", "horrid music" and lack of spiritual stimulation. Other people leave because they can't reconcile the divinity of the Church with its mundane, careless, insulting people. Others leave because the Church asks too much, or too little, or gives too little or not the right way.
I had an experience recently where I was sitting in the foyer of someone else's ward building, waiting for the sacrament to be brought out. I felt very alone and unwelcome.
As I was sitting and fretting about my place in the Church and what others thought of me in it, I had one of those rare unmistakable messages from divinity enter my mind.
"This is not their Church, it is mine. And I say you have a place here."
I had forgotten.
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Amen. Thank you for sharing that.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so so much for sharing, SR. That person feeling unwelcome (even when I am welcome, more than welcome), is always, has always been, me, too.
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSilverRain,
ReplyDeleteYou are one of my favorite bloggers. As I read your blog and your comments elsewhere, I marvel at your commitment and clarity. I don't often see things as you do, but I admire the way you keep your eyes on the prize.
Perfect.
ReplyDeleteThanks, SR. This truly is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we really do think too hard and overlook the simple and profound in our search for the complex and stimulating.
lovely. thank you for sharing that intimate moment with your Father.
ReplyDeleteWhen I get into a type of funk where I spend a great deal of time noticing what you’ve noticed and feeling unwelcomed within my own faith and then finding myself pondering upon it way too much I inevitably discuss it with my husband. He sweetly reminds me, "Many are called, but few are chosen." and my perspective comes back to a spiritual one and I reconcile myself to my own “perfecting” - I want to be one of the chosen! Then I move on (though I pray for those who are wandering). :-)
ReplyDeleteHere, here, SilverRain!
ReplyDeleteNicely said, While serving a mission I taught an African American man who joined the church. However, there were several racist members in the ward we were attending. The guy was great about it though. He said (to the bishop), "If they can't accept me, God won't accept them! What do I have to about?" It was awesome and so was your story.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. Nothing could be more clear and truer than this.
ReplyDeleteIf I should have a talk in the next weeks I think I'll remember your entry and will probably quote you.
Just noticed your post. Wonderful point!
ReplyDelete