I have written and deleted at least five posts since my last one. I have sat back for a long time, staying quiet and doing my best to keep the waters calm. For the last few weeks, every single time I have looked at my phone I have seen something that has lit me on fire, sent me straight to tears, or caused me to hang my head and have my entire day ruined. I am tired of it, and I refuse to let it happen anymore.
Mormons. We sure are getting a lot of flack in the social media world lately, eh?! Really, I haven't seen one positive article, blog post or comment on Facebook about the LDS church in .... EVER?! Maybe a little dramatic, but pretty accurate. Facebook is the worst anyway. Buuuuuuut that is a rant for a different day!
I guess what I am trying to say here is that I am exhausted of hearing about how "awful" I am. I say "I", because I am a Mormon. "I" am a member of the church. "I" am associated with any and all negativity that people see in our religion. There are some topics that if I hear about one more time, I really might sell every possession I own and move my family to a secret underground bunker - never to associate with another human being ever again. (Drama drama, I know)
I am not sure why the fire is so hot when people first decide to leave the church. It always fades with time and they never seem to attack you (every second until you crumble into the fetal position and beg them to leave you alone) forever - but man, the year or two after the initial break is BRUTAL. I personally have dealt with a lot of anger lately in regards to articles, posts and comments about Mormons. I think I am just getting to the point now where my inner bear is coming out and I am ready to FIGHT. I have thought that "taking the high road" in all of this meant to shut my mouth, scroll past the crap online and keep my head down -- after all, Jesus loves everyone and so should we. UHHH WRONG. Jesus does love everyone. But He also turned over tables and kicked the money changers out of His temple.
WE are expected to stand up for ourselves. WE are expected to continue sharing our testimonies. WE must shine light on all of the GOOD that Mormons do in the world.. Because right now, no one is seeing that. There is so much negativity being portrayed onto us. I am being called a bigot because some random person across the world who happens to be Mormon too, has disowned his child for being a homosexual. I mean - thats kind of ridiculous right? Yes, I believe marriage (and all activities that follow) should be between a man and a woman. I believe in God and that is what He has said. If He visits me in a vision or writes another book of scripture saying that isn't the case anymore - then we will revisit the topic at a later date. Does that mean I am disrespectful or hate anyone who thinks opposite of me?! No, it doesn't. It is possible to live different lives and still be loving and compassionate. It is possible to leave the church and not spend every waking second of your days trying to pull others with you. It is possible to love, and to lift one another ALWAYS - if the mutual parties can set religious arguments aside. This scenario is what I like to label as a "pipe dream". Call me pessimistic, but it will never happen. I have yet to witness mutual respect from both sides of a disagreement. We as humans are too passionate, too consumed in our own biases to accomplish this.
So what CAN we do? We can stop being quiet and we can start speaking up. Now, please do not misinterpret this for some call to action resulting in anger, harsh words or violence. What I am saying is this - if you feel strongly that you need to stand up for your Father in Heaven or your Savior Jesus Christ, DO IT. If you feel like you need to share your testimony about Joseph Smith, DO IT. Yes, he made mistakes - but so have you, so have I, so has every apostle and prophet since the beginning of time. We are human. We are flawed. Share that scripture you read that touched your heart. Roll down your windows and let those church hymns fill the ears of those around you at the red light. Tell the next pair of missionaries you see how grateful you are for all the sacrifices they are making. Don't argue in anger with someone you love over a church debate. Stand up for what you know is right, but do not belittle or tear down.
I can't begin to convey all the good that Mormons do in the world. There are many times when the church has been the first responder to a natural disaster, terrorist attack or tragedy. There are men and women every week who upon dropping youth off after an activity, sit and listen to the trials and heartaches that they are facing. Leaders who sacrifice time with their own families to lift and strengthen other families around them. Bishops who carry the weight of the world constantly. Women who juggle all of their kids, while tending to other families in the ward who need a helping hand. I remember days when my husband was out of town for months at a time, I was pregnant and deathly ill, juggling my own kids and home - when I would get a prompting to deliver a meal or some other service for someone else. I could have ignored it and not one person would have condemned me for doing so. I had SO much on my plate. Instead, I listened and lifted someone else's burden. The gospel of Jesus Christ and my membership in the Mormon church has taught me to seek out and serve others. Always. I love that. I love the values and principles and GOODNESS that lies within the church and I love being a part of it. Do not waste time worrying what other people think of you. Do not waste time wishing you had more of this or less of that. Spend your time on things that will have a lasting effect on your progression in life and the strengthening of your spirit.
I wish I could change what is being seen in social media lately. I wish that people could hear the good. I wish they could see and understand where so many hearts are and how much we love them. I wish there weren't people constantly attacking and ripping apart Mormons. It will be this way forever. We will always face opposition and most of the time we won't be seen for the good we do. I am here to tell you that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you and are proud of what you do to defend the gospel. At the end of the day, Their opinions are the only ones that matter. Do everything you can to shine a positive light on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. If you only change one person's mind -- it is well in the eyes of the Lord.
