Saturday nights I am in a special place and enjoy my time while I am there. I raised the question of the First Presidency letter to one of my associates during a slack period. I asked him what he thought of it. His response was quick and certain, "a total commitment to President Monson in this."
It is no secret what my thoughts are on the matter. Regrettably, we don't have a great history and heritage of compassion toward those who are different. We failed to get along with folks in Oho, Missouri, and Illinois. After the Prophet's death we jumped on board with the rest of America in the disenfranchisement of all Blacks. When we came west we were not satisfied with our isolation and so we whacked a wagon train from Arkansas, saving only some of the children and babies. 'The indians did it' excuse is not substantiated by the forensic evidence from a mass grave uncovered during the reconstruction of the present monument in the Mountain Meadows near Cedar City. Church historian Richard Turley's definitive book on the subject is to be out in August and I have my name on the list for a couple copies at Benchmark. Among my numerous Latino friends I am told often of ethnic slurs with Church members and without here in Utah. Our Republican legislature has a track record of being anti immigrant in spite of the pronouncements by some General Authorities.
I wish there was a more 'live and let live' attitude among Mormons and our leadership. The commitment of Mormons to follow these instructions of this First Presidency letter will not reduce any homophobic feelings among the membership. The consequence will be anyone with a difference of gender orientation than the Mormon majority will find themselves driven further away. For those of us who have a family member or friend caught up in the Church's efforts to deny civil rights to, the rest of us all take for granted, only adds to the burden and pain we experience. Are we not acting contrary to the Savior's instruction of looking for the 'one' and inviting all to come unto Him and sup at his table? I wonder.
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3 comments:
I respect those who have a "total commitment" on this, including some who are very close to me.
I don't agree, and it's not a comfortable place to be in, but after thinking about it, I feel okay. I was pretty shook up yesterday about it all, but I decided, how is this any different that disagreeing with something BY or Elder Benson taught? Just makes it more poignant when it's current leadership.
nice post. difficult struggle!
Maybe as things progress forward we can look at these two attempts by Church leaders as something in the context of policies gone awry along the lines of Brother Benson and BY.
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