In years past I've looked at these weekends with a mix of anticipation and dread. While some talks give good anecdotes and themes, many rely heavily on the idea that the leaders cannot lead you astray. As for not being led astray by leader...well if you've read the Book of Mormon you know it can happen. Especially if you view it as being a historically accurate document.
I'm not saying this to slam the LDS Church. I'm saying it because I am noticing an odd mirroring of events going on. Right now, as you know, the US is in the midst of a huge presidential election battle. There are so many lines in the sand that it looks like a game of pick up sticks. We have a broad spectrum of options. I won't deny that I was a Donald Trump supporter at first. Then I travelled a little over to the Clinton camp. Then I bounced around taking time to read up on the major candidates and, doing what I've done every other time I've voted, determined whose platform best matched my own beliefs. About the time I came to a conclusion my dear husband joked that he's a Jesus-loving socialist supporter of the old Jewish dude. I laughed and admitted that I was one too.
Now I'm not going to get all political on you. Yes I support Bernie Sanders. And I'm thrilled if you are passionate about whomever you are supporting. I just encourage you to continue to read everything you can (good and bad) about the major players. It's the only way to truly be an informed participant.
Imagine, if you will, the ability to sit at church and have these vastly opposing views and still be considered someone of worth. Every Sunday I look around me and see people who are agnostic, full believers, questioners, unbelievers, spiritual, etc... All are welcome. All are love. All have inestimable worth. Isn't it amazing? We might talk a little politics in the midst of visiting with each other, but we all so respect for each other's choices.
With General Conference looming I have no doubt that the voices of the dissenters will be muffled yet again. That using agency is going to be talked about, but one should remember to blindly trust the leadership of the church. I can see a lot of justification for marginalizing those who have parents in a same sex relationship being denied saving ordinances. Because the church teaches that you aren't saved until these ordinances are performed.
The bible, however, teaches that Jesus saved us. We don't have to do anything for his saving grace. It is a gift freely given in love...unconditional love. We seal ourselves up to Him when we are baptized...at least that's my feeling. You don't have to agree with me. Baptism is our commitment to Him and to the church we chose to follow.
Now why, why as an American. Keen on separation of church and state, do I speak of them both. I do so because right now we have candidates claiming to be followers of Him yet denying his teachings by their actions. And the lone Jewish man is becoming as a rabbi to the younger generation. They hear his words and it reminds them of Sunday school lessons and how one person should not be held higher than another. That we need to help one another. And at no point has this Jewish man claimed to be a follower. He just states he is for justice and peace.
Not quite a week ago we celebrated the resurrection of another Jewish man who believed in justice and peace. Who loved unconditionally. Who performed miracles and encouraged others to ignite that divine spark within themselves so they may perform miracles too. But most of all, he gave us the choice to believe or not, to seek him or not, to live as he did or not. He gave us choices.
