OK, just bear with me on this one…
I am admittedly and unashamedly LDS. A Mormon. I know that by admitting that many people assume things about me that may or may not be true. It frustrates me that I am immediately classified into a group to which I may or may not belong, with ideals that I may or may not espouse. I am proud of my religious affiliation, but I understand fully that there are others who are of whatever religious stripe that are better people and find equally sufficient gratification in their lives and beliefs. It’s our differences as a society that makes us strong and interesting. Keep in mind that people as varied as Harry Reed to Orrin Hatch are LDS and find no problem with that. I have heard people say “How can a good member of the Church be a Democrat?” Which makes me want to throw up. My mother’s uncle, Elder F. Melvin Hammond, is a Democrat and was also a member of the Quorums of Seventy. And so was President Faust, as well as many other leaders of the Church. One’s political affiliation does not determine one’s faith. And vice versa.
The problem that I really have is when people feel the need to tell me that I am deluded or misguided or deceived. Why? Why do they do this? Perhaps I am, but my lifestyle is my choice and makes me happy. It does not hurt anyone that I am deluded. So why tell me that I am misguided or deluded or whatever? Does it make the person more powerful? Do they hope to sway me from my faith? Certainly if that is their hope then they do not understand the nature of faith…
One’s spirituality has little if anything to do with their religious affiliation and activity level in organized religion. Spirituality is a deeply personal experience, a resonance of the soul that cannot be described or shared. Nor can it easily be altered. There are people who try, but it results in discordance and disharmony. People should find what works for them. If you haven’t felt what I am speaking about perhaps your search should continue.
What I have found works profoundly well for me. I have felt gentle and loving, inspirational and profound, leading and guidance from outside my experience. I don’t know how to describe it. I don’t know that there are words for it. But it is nevertheless real and undeniable. It fills my soul and heart with light and joy and warmth. Of course I want to share that, but not in a proscriptive manner. I would never presume to tell someone else that they are deluded or misguided. How dare I? Look, at the end of the day, we are all just people trying to make it in this world. I just want to live the way I like, and I would extend that to everyone everywhere.
I am not a model citizen. I am not to be used as an example. I am imperfect and I struggle repeatedly and consistently against things that I know I should be able to master. But perhaps it is in the struggle that I come to know God and the divine within myself. So struggle I shall until I am refined and purified.
I have come to know that the Church to which I belong is true. I know that in ways that are undeniable and through experiences that as I mentioned above are indescribable and beautiful and real. But they are also my experiences. They motivate me to live the way I do. And therein I have found my joy and my hope.
I am admittedly and unashamedly LDS. A Mormon. I know that by admitting that many people assume things about me that may or may not be true. It frustrates me that I am immediately classified into a group to which I may or may not belong, with ideals that I may or may not espouse. I am proud of my religious affiliation, but I understand fully that there are others who are of whatever religious stripe that are better people and find equally sufficient gratification in their lives and beliefs. It’s our differences as a society that makes us strong and interesting. Keep in mind that people as varied as Harry Reed to Orrin Hatch are LDS and find no problem with that. I have heard people say “How can a good member of the Church be a Democrat?” Which makes me want to throw up. My mother’s uncle, Elder F. Melvin Hammond, is a Democrat and was also a member of the Quorums of Seventy. And so was President Faust, as well as many other leaders of the Church. One’s political affiliation does not determine one’s faith. And vice versa.
The problem that I really have is when people feel the need to tell me that I am deluded or misguided or deceived. Why? Why do they do this? Perhaps I am, but my lifestyle is my choice and makes me happy. It does not hurt anyone that I am deluded. So why tell me that I am misguided or deluded or whatever? Does it make the person more powerful? Do they hope to sway me from my faith? Certainly if that is their hope then they do not understand the nature of faith…
One’s spirituality has little if anything to do with their religious affiliation and activity level in organized religion. Spirituality is a deeply personal experience, a resonance of the soul that cannot be described or shared. Nor can it easily be altered. There are people who try, but it results in discordance and disharmony. People should find what works for them. If you haven’t felt what I am speaking about perhaps your search should continue.
What I have found works profoundly well for me. I have felt gentle and loving, inspirational and profound, leading and guidance from outside my experience. I don’t know how to describe it. I don’t know that there are words for it. But it is nevertheless real and undeniable. It fills my soul and heart with light and joy and warmth. Of course I want to share that, but not in a proscriptive manner. I would never presume to tell someone else that they are deluded or misguided. How dare I? Look, at the end of the day, we are all just people trying to make it in this world. I just want to live the way I like, and I would extend that to everyone everywhere.
I am not a model citizen. I am not to be used as an example. I am imperfect and I struggle repeatedly and consistently against things that I know I should be able to master. But perhaps it is in the struggle that I come to know God and the divine within myself. So struggle I shall until I am refined and purified.
I have come to know that the Church to which I belong is true. I know that in ways that are undeniable and through experiences that as I mentioned above are indescribable and beautiful and real. But they are also my experiences. They motivate me to live the way I do. And therein I have found my joy and my hope.
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