I’ve seen a disturbing bit of action going on around the blogosphere and social media. People who call themselves good Latter-day Saints are attacking people who stand up for the Church or announce that they follow the prophet. They try to paint them as people who must think they are better than other people.
This comes from various groups that object to one part of the gospel or another–the priesthood ordination rules, traditional marriage, immigration reform, or any other part of the gospel in which a person has chosen some other leader over the prophet in one area, even if they follow the prophet in all other areas.
When did it become a bad thing to try to live the gospel and to proclaim that this is what you are trying to do? There is no judgment in that. We all stand up for what we believe and the source of that belief.
Do not criticize
To paint those who have chosen the church as the source of their search for truth should not be criticized by those who sometimes choose a different source.
I am a Primary teacher. Teaching children to follow the prophet is what I do, week after week, year after year. I work hard to teach them to trust God, to trust Jesus, and to trust the prophet. I teach them to sing, “Follow the prophet.” I tell them stories about President Monson so they will learn to love him and to understand he is someone safe to follow.
I am proud of my work in that field and I am sad that there are practicing church members who would mock that work. I’m sad that they would mock people who are merely doing what we all committed to doing when we were baptized.
Take a stand
It is very possible to stand for truth and righteousness, to announce our loyalty to church teachings, without being holier than thou about it. We don’t think we’re better than others. We have just taken a stand–as have those who oppose some aspect of the gospel. If it is okay for those people to take a stand against a church teaching, it most certainly should be okay to take a stand for a church teaching–and it should especially be okay among church members.
Mormonism
To read more of Terrie’s articles, click the picture.
If your cause is just and right, and you are really sure of it…you won’t feel a need to make fun of other people for having a different belief.
You can disagree. You can state your disagreement. But there is no place in the gospel for Mormons to make fun of Mormons who choose to live the gospel as it is presented by the prophets and apostles of the church.
The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.
