Be the church

It no longer applies to me, but it always applies.

This was a facebook post that I wrote when I was hurting.

Melody 

February 8, 2013 · 

I wish that people understood how much harm they do to a person's testimony/membership in the church when they say: If you are _____ or if you believe ____ or if you do _____ , then why would you call yourself a good member of the church? Why would you belong to a church that disagrees with you?

It would be so much better if we could all realize that we are all sinners. That we all do things counter to what the church teaches. Daily. And that by saying that someone else doesn't fit the cookie cutter mold, and that action/thought thereby makes them unfit for the kingdom.... it just might be the push that the person needed, as they are sitting on the fence - clinging to it as best they can, to push them right over onto the other side.

The last time I saw it happen was over feminists wearing pants to church. It was a last hope for some, that it might reunite them somehow with the church; that their neighbors and friends could see the difference and love them anyway. Instead, it pushed many off of the edge of the fence.

I have seen it with gays in the church. We have a website inviting them to come back to the fold, telling them that we need them and want them. And then the members say such uninviting things...

In our "every member a missionary" mindset, please be aware that the best thing we can offer is love. "Charity suffereth long and is kind..."

(This message was inspired when I read a feminists blog today who has totally detached from the church. The effects of the pants hurt too much. I am sad for her. And yes, I'm saying it about the Mormon church, but if the hypocrisy fits.....)