I initially posted this on the 8th of October. It was too long, and so I am now revising it.
I have read 2 things - one of which I couldn't find, so I'll have to summarize it, and the other I will link to.
1. President Taylor, of the LDS church, once described how we have to learn to trust that God will take care of His church. If we follow His principles, nothing else matters - what people wear to church, questions we don't have answers to, and other people's shortcomings. Hold to the truth and don't get caught up in the ways of the world.
2. Doctrine and Covenants 102:23 which discusses that it is the responsibility of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, when there is a question on church doctrine, to have the president inquire of the Lord.
I heard someone very recently say they would not let their life be dictated by "the 80 year old men in the church office building" - and he is welcome to his opinion. But as for me, and my testimony, I will trust in God that He will inspire His leaders, and take care of His church.
Consider the lilies of the field - we are so loved. If we can remember to love God, and love our neighbor, we will trust in Him and find peace and answers to our very personal and hard struggles. There are many places - infinite - where we can fall off the path by a few degrees. I would hope we would remember and hold true to God.
I have read 2 things - one of which I couldn't find, so I'll have to summarize it, and the other I will link to.
1. President Taylor, of the LDS church, once described how we have to learn to trust that God will take care of His church. If we follow His principles, nothing else matters - what people wear to church, questions we don't have answers to, and other people's shortcomings. Hold to the truth and don't get caught up in the ways of the world.
2. Doctrine and Covenants 102:23 which discusses that it is the responsibility of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, when there is a question on church doctrine, to have the president inquire of the Lord.
I heard someone very recently say they would not let their life be dictated by "the 80 year old men in the church office building" - and he is welcome to his opinion. But as for me, and my testimony, I will trust in God that He will inspire His leaders, and take care of His church.
Consider the lilies of the field - we are so loved. If we can remember to love God, and love our neighbor, we will trust in Him and find peace and answers to our very personal and hard struggles. There are many places - infinite - where we can fall off the path by a few degrees. I would hope we would remember and hold true to God.
Cristina, thank you for this post. I relate to your viewpoint so much. This was my favorite paragraph:
ReplyDelete"The messages of repentance, faith, gratitude, forgiveness, love, and service are not new. Yet we could definitely work on them more – I often find myself focusing somewhere else. Yes, I would like to know more about women and the priesthood {and many other things}. But until I do, I need to work on these other areas that I hear about more often - there is a reason our leaders say what they do and I need to be better at applying their reminders. And when I hear people with different questions, I need to listen and love them anyway."
It was a good reminder for me (funny, your goal IS to help us all remember, right?) to make sure that I am a good, clean vessel. That I am an instrument in the Lord's hands. Only then will I be able to receive further light and knowledge. We have to be ready for it. So much is available to us, but we must seek knowledge in the Lord's way. Thanks again!
Thanks, Christie! I am so glad it came out alright. It sure is long...I'm impressed you read it :) That is a great point about first being clean and then to follow the way of the Lord to receive guidance / truth.
DeleteThanks for this post. I know many who struggle and you perspective is clear and straightforward. I agree with you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle! I feel like in this world, it is so easy to see all the questions, doubts, lack of information, and fears, and get so lost that we can really get stuck. So, I am trying to be a little more straightforward, while still trying to listen and be more compassionate.
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