Can you see into the depths of my eyes to see the pain that my smile covers? Do you see the circles under my eyes from a night spent in prayer, desperate to know and be known by God?

Did you know that your feet will fall asleep if you kneel for minutes without end in prayer? Did you know that you can still smile and greet people before Sacrament meeting, even when your heart is breaking?

I know you are only a human. Someone the Lord has temporarily called to serve in His kingdom at this time. But to me, at this desperately painful point in my life, you represent the Lord. You are His shepherd. I have raised my hand to the square, sustaining you in this calling of leadership—entrusting you with the care of my soul during this tumultuous time of trial.

Do you know me? Do you know the strength of faith it has taken me to come here, today, despite the snubs and exclusion I feel from other members of this congregation? Do you know the leap of faith I am taking by letting you see even a portion of my pain?

Please. Please, see me. See beyond my social status. See beyond my calling. See beyond whatever stereotypes and classifications you have previously placed upon me.

See me.

If you are my leader, see how I am struggling to feel known of the Lord. Be His hands while you are in this calling of leadership. Be His voice. Greet me with genuine warmth and caring in the hallways. Shake my hand and look me in the eye. Stop and take an extra moment to listen—the still small voice is so very, very quiet. The desperate cries are screaming in my mind, “SEE ME!” See me despite the smile. See my lonely desperation to be known by God.

I know you are desperate to fill an opening as a __(insert calling here)__ with someone who is caring and consistently attending church. But please, before you extend that calling, be sure it is the one the Lord wants for me. See me.

I have given the Lord my heart. I know this doctrine is true. I know how my heart thrills when I read the scriptures and when I listen to General Conference talks. I know this is where the Lord wants me to be. But coming to church each week has become a source of anxiety and pain.

For every member walking the hallways at church—see me! See how I have left behind family and friends to join with this faith. Yet, I feel loneliest surrounded by people who have covenanted to bear my burdens. I feel most excluded by those who I am supposed to spend my eternities with. Please, please see me.

Reach out the hand of fellowship. Smile with genuine gladness when you greet me. Be His hands when my burdens seem overwhelming and too heavy to bear alone.

I don’t want to be a project. I want a genuine friend. I want to be seen and valued as a child of God.

I am flawed. I am also fabulous. Will you see me? Flawed fabulousness in all of its imperfectness? Will you see me and accept me as I am?

I know that the Lord has. But I need to be supported and loved by human hands until my time here on Earth has reached its close.

Be those hands.

Be His hands.

Please.

Elizabeth Latey

What began as one city became two distinct and different cultures, as those walled into East Berlin had their rights taken away, one by one, with the threat of death always there to keep them in line.

When I was a child, I was friends with everyone.

When I was a child, I was friends with everyone. As an outgoing, overly talkative child, I chattered to anyone who would listen, and anyone who listened became, in my mind, my new best friend. After all, if we’re talking together, then you must like me and I know I like you, so now we’re friends, right?

In first grade, I learned that boys were DIFFERENT than girls. Boys have cooties. Boys are gross. Suddenly, all of my friends were girls and girls only.

In fifth grade, I learned that all girls were not my friends. Some girls liked to sit and talk about boys and clothes. These girls did not like me because I liked to run and chatter non-stop and run some more. I learned that I was different. I was a “tom boy” … which also meant I was no longer welcomed among my own kind.

Although the boys would let me run and play soccer with them, I was not really a boy, just a pretend boy. Luckily, there were enough of us that didn’t quite fit one group or another, so I didn’t feel lonely.

Teens long to belong somewhere.

Middle school and high school, the years that no one ever feels a sense of belonging. Even those in the popular group spend most of their waking hours trying to fit in, worrying constantly about being ‘out’ of the group.

As an adult, I have learned to be discerning about who I allow to know the ‘real’ me. Deep down, I am still the little girl who thinks everyone is my friend. No matter how many times it happens, there is still a sense of wronged hurt when someone is unkind to me just because they can be. I’m still a little surprised that not everyone wants to be my friend.  

Through life’s experiences, I know that 9 times out of 10, when someone is unkind, it’s because of their own issues; however, the hurt is still there. I still have to mentally talk myself through the pain that some people seem to feel no guilt about throwing divisive unkindness at everyone they see as different.

We are adults. Why are so many of us not mature enough to accept differences among us?

In East Berlin, the people were constantly bombarded with the threat of death if they did not conform. In our time, we are threatened with being left out of the group. We are social creatures and we want the protection of belonging and acceptance.

In East Berlin, the people were constantly bombarded with messages that those who are different are threats. Turn on the television. Look at any form of media. EVERY single message we receive tells us that we need to conform to a group.

Real Golfers dress a certain way.

Are you a rugged outdoorsman? Then you should dress a certain way, shop at certain stores, follow certain social media outlets, and eat a certain diet. Only by doing these things can you proclaim your individual choice to belong to this group!

Are you a black man or woman? Then you should dress a certain way, shop at certain stores, follow certain social media outlets, and eat a certain diet. Only by doing these things can you proclaim your individual choice to belong to this group!

Are you a white suburban, stay-at-home mother? Then you should dress a certain way, shop at certain stores, follow certain social media outlets, and eat a certain diet. Only by doing these things can you proclaim your individual choice to belong to this group!

Pick your group, there are many choices, but you must pick a group to belong. Hip Millennial? Overworked executive? Blue-collar cowboy? Wannabe vlogger star? Once you pick, you have to conform to that group’s image: including how you dress, where you shop, what you eat, and what media you put into your own mind.

Those in power in East Berlin controlled by a very visible wall and by very visible methods. However, we are just as controlled and divided if we allow someone else to dictate to us how we should act and choose and even think.

If everyone in East Berlin had cast aside fear and stood up to those dominating their lives, there would have been a high price to pay, but, in the end, they would have won.

The Berlin Wall Falls.

And, eventually, as the people of East Berlin came to realize this for themselves, they did tear down the dividing wall. It took help from those on the other side, but that wall was torn down.

November 9, 1989, I watched as the people of East Berlin tore chunks of the wall out by hand and joyously climbed to the top of the crumbling wall to wave flags with tears of joy running down their cheeks. It took almost 3 decades, but that wall did come down.

How many decades will it take us to tear down the invisible walls dividing us from one another? How many of generations of our children crying tears of pain, pain inflicted by someone who couldn’t accept something different than themselves?

This is not just about race or religion. Let me share some observations.

I have watched individuals of other races be left to themselves and not fully embraced within my religion my whole life. Remember, I grew up living all over the world and experiencing many different flavors of my Church.

Those who are black are friends with and hang out with those who are black. Those of Indian descent do the same. I have seen this in Europe. I have seen this in America. I see exceptions as well, where individuals do reach across the invisible divisions, but they are the exception, not the rule.

Our children may pay the price for our silence.

I have watched individuals of different economic status be left to themselves and not fully embraced within my religion my whole life. True, individuals will help someone in need, as a service project to make themselves feel better, not because they see the poorer person as an equal, as a friend. Again, there are exceptions, but they are the exception.

I have watched individuals with special needs be sidelined in this same way.

Now I am seeing greater wedges driven between our children in primary, as parents set up private playdates only with children who they believe can socially help their child. If we, as parents, don’t teach our children to invite EVERYONE into their circle of friends, who will?

If we, disciples of Christ, don’t call out these terribly divisive, invisible walls for what they are, who will tear them down for our children?

Satan is separating us, just as though he had built a wall down the center of our city. We must not allow fear to hold us back from tearing it down … if we do not, our children will pay the price of our silence.

Elizabeth Latey

Rabbi Geri Newburge

Before we begin, Rabbi Geri clarifies what Reform Judaism means. “We like to say that we are continually learning and adapting Jewish life and tradition to make it meaningful and relevant. Reform Judaism gives us a framework, but does not dictate what we as individuals do.”

People can bring Shabbat into their lives in many ways, just as each of us chooses how to take our own faith traditions and cultures into our lives in meaningful ways. As Rabbi Geri begins to teach us about Shabbat, it becomes clear that this is a people that take their commitments to God seriously and show their dedication through their actions.

As Rabbi Geri begins to teach us about Shabbat, it becomes clear that this is a people that take their commitments to God seriously and show their dedication through their actions.

In Genesis, God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. The week begins on Sunday, so Jewish Shabbat is observed on the seventh day, Saturday. In Genesis, we also learn that God first created night, then day, which is why Shabbat and all Jewish holidays begin at sundown and go until the following night when three stars appear in the sky.

Gorgeous menorah.

Why three stars? If three stars are in the sky, night has arrived and the day is ended.

What if it’s cloudy and you can’t see any stars? Then you give your best guess as to when night has arrived and the Shabbat (or holiday) is ended, which is about one hour after the sun sets.

Candles are lit, prayer is said, and then Shabbat has begun. It is an important distinction that Shabbat does not begin until the prayer has been said. Once Shabbat begins, there will be no fires lit: no candles, no fires, no ovens. No spark is even allowed to start a car, so no driving!

Nothing can be turned on or off during Shabbat, so food is prepared ahead of time and either left in a slow cooker, or left on the stovetop in a pot, set above a low flame which will burn all of Shabbat.

The Torah, in Hebrew.

The rules governing Shabbat fall into thirty-nine categories, based upon the building of the tabernacle, found in Exodus. There is no cleaning. No writing. No carrying of money—no carrying of anything! Shabbat is a day of worship and rest.

My family keeps the Christian Sabbath on Sunday pretty strictly, especially compared to many of our neighbors. No shopping, no television, and everything focused on bringing our family closer together and closer to God.

However, as I listen to the devotion shown by those of the Jewish faith, I am impressed by their dedication. So much preparation must occur in advance of Friday night!

On Shabbat, Jews gather to their synagogues for worship. Everyone, even a non-Jew, is welcome to attend a service, a tidbit I file away for later. I know my daughters and husband will love attending a Shabbat service and listening to the Hebrew read aloud.

Synagogues must always have a Menorah and windows. These are so beautiful!

Synagogues must always have two things in them: a menorah and windows. The menorah is lit Friday evening (the start of Shabbat) as a symbol of the nation of Israel and its mission to be “a light unto the nations” (Isaiah 42:6).

Why windows? This part of our learning touches my heart deeply. Windows are in a synagogue to remind those worshiping not to get too focused on themselves and their worship that they forget to see and be a part of the world around them.

What a beautiful reminder that we are to worship God, but He wants us to use what we learn to bless the world around us! We cannot do that if we are wrapped up in only ourselves and those we worship with!

In the Jewish tradition, there is a teaching, “the beautification of the commandment” which means that when we are asked by God to do something, we should give the best we have. This powerful belief is exemplified by synagogue windows filled with stunningly beautiful stained glass, when the commandment is simply that a synagogue should have windows.  

The Aron Kodesh, or holy cabinet, where many Torahs are kept.

Rabbi Geri next shows us the Aron Kodesh, or holy cabinet, where many Torahs are kept. Above the holy cabinet burns the ner tamid, the eternal light. On either side of the holy cabinet are two tablets, the ten commandments.

Each Torah is dressed similarly to how a priest is dressed, with mantles and a belt. Inside their Aron Kodesh is a white-mantled Torah, rescued after the Holocaust from Czechoslovakia!

As the Torah is unrolled for us to view, the symbols all run together—no page numbers, no vowels, no capitalizations, no punctuations, no translations! It is beautifully confounding to someone not learned in Hebrew!

The Jewish Shabbat ends with each child receiving an embrace before hands are placed on their heads to receive a blessing: (I looked online to find this blessing and found it to be the same on all the sites I researched.)

Scrolls are stored in these special covers.

For a son: May God make you like Ephraim and Menashe.

For a daughter: May God make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah.

Following the above, both receive:

May God bless you and watch over you.

May God shine His face toward you and show you favor.

May God be favorably disposed toward you and grant you peace.

What feelings of love and protection must each child feel as their parents bless them at the close of the Shabbat!

This experience of learning of Shabbat, and all of the other faiths I have learned about this year has been perspective changing. My own faith has deepened. My love for others and my desire to share these new understandings of others’ beliefs has grown.

What a wonderful gift in a time when so many different voices try to influence us to be divided! Learning about the beliefs that motivate others to live their lives with passion and faith causes me to live my own faith with more authenticity and strength.

We are different, but we are united in our desire to embrace one another as fellow companions on our paths of faith.

Elizabeth Latey

“Every word must end in God, every breath must end in Him. Man’s entire life must reach God; that is his true prayer. That is the culmination of the prayer of the Sufi. One who attains the clarity of perfect faith is called a Sufi.” ~M.R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen

Muhammad Raheem Bawa Muhaiyaddeen

Before sharing about this experience, it is important to understand a bit of Islamic history. The Islamic faith has many different offshoots, with three main branches.

The first two of these, Sunni and Shi’ite, compose the majority of the Islamic or Muslim faith. In theology, these two faiths are much the same. Both sides agree that Allah is the one true God and that Muhammad is his messenger. The division occurred when the Prophet Muhammad died. Who should be his successor, or Imam?

Bawa’s original art and poetry hangs throughout the Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship.

Shi’ite Muslims believe that Muhammad’s successor should be someone of his bloodline. Muhammad’s son-in-law and cousin, Ali ibn Abi Talib, became the Imam (leader). His followers are Shi’ites, a contraction of the phrase ‘Shiat Ali’, followers of Ali.

Sunni Muslims are sometimes referred to as orthodox, or traditional Islamic followers. Sunnis believe that being a pious individual who follows the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings is more important in an Imam than bloodline. Sunnis are the largest denomination of Islam, making up almost 90% of those of the Islamic faith tradition.

Bawa passed away in December 1986, his belongings are kept as he kept them for all to see.

The remaining offshoot of the Islamic faith are those of the Sufi tradition. This is the Muslim tradition that we are exploring in our visit. Sufis are Islamic Mystics. Sufis are not focused on the traditions, bloodline, or external requirements of Islam. Instead, Sufis seek a personal experience with God through meditation. Most Sufis also claim membership within the Sunni and Shi’ite traditions in addition to their focus on personally discovering God within themselves.

Muhammad Raheem Bawa Muhaiyaddeen is a Sufi saint from Sri Lanka. He taught for forty years in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, before coming to Philadelphia in 1971. He taught followers of all faiths from his home, through songs, stories and sermons, until his death in December 1986.

Bawa’s original art and poetry hangs throughout the Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship.

His home, the Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship, continues to be a place of worship. Here, the mystical teachings of Bawa are shared through his translated writings, audio tapes, and his original artwork, which adorns walls throughout the location.

All of the women of the Philadelphia Interfaith Visionary Women’s Council quietly remove their shoes before entering. Similar to our experience in the Sikh Society, we are greeted with a warm vegetarian meal served by women of the Sufi Muslim faith. Reinforcing the truth, that there is more uniting our faiths than dividing us, the Sufi faith also believes that when a person is hungry, they cannot learn spiritual truth.

Ayesha Weinberg stands in front of the Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship mosque entrance.

Bawa’s followers, Ayesha Weinberg and Suhaiba Toomey share with us their personal experiences with Bawa and his teachings. As they share, their great love and admiration for Bawa are palpable and leads me to ask if they worship Bawa.

Ayesha’s response is beautiful, “We do not worship Bawa; there is only God. But we have great love and respect because he awoke God within us. Bawa was a signpost pointing us to God within us. He truly practiced what he preached. He showed us the potential for the exalted within each of us.”

Worshipers wash their bodies free of sin before going in to pray.

Following the history and teachings, Ayesha takes us on a tour of Bawa’s personal living space in the Fellowship. The love for their leader is clear in the respectful way they have preserved every aspect of his living space, even including dishes of candy in honor of his love for sweets!

Suhaiba then takes us into the women’s washing room. Here, every part of the body that will touch a prayer mat is made clean. These ablutions are to wash away all the evil ears have heard, evil the mouth has spoken, and evil hands have done to make all clean before God. I find this a beautiful ceremony to prepare one’s mind before prayer.

Posted outside the women’s wash area. These are the dress requirements for women of the Sufi faith.

We cover our heads in respect to the posted rules, before proceeding to the prayer space. A narrow staircase leads us up into a large, domed room, empty of all furniture, save dividing lace curtains, separating the men’s side and women’s side and a large piece of furniture on the men’s side, called a mimbar. The mimbar is used as a prayer pulpit during Friday evening prayers. Although there is not much to see on the ground, the domed ceiling above is outlined by a circle of pink windows, each emblazoned with one of the 99 names of God in the Islamic tradition.

We enjoy a final moment of peaceful reflection before wrapping up our visit to the Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship.

The 99 names of God are emblazoned in windows encircling the dome in the prayer space.

In Bawa’s teachings, “Islam and World Peace; Explanations of a SUFI”, it states:

The light of Islᾱm should reveal the essence of God in every life. If we see that essence, then we will live in unity; we will eat from the same plate; we will live as one family whether some are in a church, some are in a mosque, or some are in their homes. The beggar and the king will be able to pray together. We will discover our own faults, discard our own anger, and embrace one another with love. That is what the Qur’ᾱn says. That is why we cannot tell lies, indulge in treachery, or threaten to kill other lives and claim that it is being done in the name of Islᾱm. Islᾱm teaches that we must recognize and praise the essence of God as it exists in each and every life.

We must recognize and praise the essence of God as it exists in each and every life.

Mimbar where leader stands during Friday evening prayers.

What a wonderfully respectful way to view each person we come into contact with! Not as someone we need to force to agree with us. Not as someone we need to compete with. Rather as someone we should be seeking to see God within. In my own faith, we believe that each of us is a child of God, with divinity within each of us. Sometimes, I forget to look for that divinity as I go through my daily routine. Learning of this Sufi belief makes me remember to look for that divinity and to help the other person see the divinity within through how I treat them.

In each of these visits to different faiths over the last months, I re-examine my own beliefs through the perspective of their faith. Each time, I have grown closer to God and I have deepened my own appreciation for my own Mormon faith. Truly setting aside my own prejudices and preconceived ideas, and simply coming to learn and listen to each faith’s teachings, I am better following the teachings found within my own faith.

Myself, Suhaiba Toomey, and Natalie Katz.

I am living the teachings of Jesus Christ, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Matthew 7:1 when I focus on Bawa’s teaching to live in unity and to focus on my own faults.

Meditating on Bawa’s teaching of embracing one another with love, I also keep Christ’s command:

A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. ~John 13:34

Elizabeth Latey

This is the carved dais that is the only furniture in the room. It is visually stunning.

Walking into the Baisakhi Philadelphia Sikh Society, I am immediately impressed with the stunning beauty of the women. From the youngest to the eldest, they are clothed like exotic flowers in vivid colors and intricate beadwork. I feel a bit bland and uninspiring as I take off my shoes in the communal entry way and adjust the headscarf they requested each of us to wear during our visit.

Empty of all furniture, except a carved wooden dais, with yet more gorgeously vibrant fabric, each of us chose a spot to sit on the carpeted floor. There was some time before the presentation began, so I asked Raj, one of our hosts, to explain the purpose of the dais. She graciously explains that their sacred writings of the gurus (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) are kept on the dais.

The Book of the Ten Gurus, Sri Guru Granth Sahib. It sits on the Dais.

The Granth is symbolically raised higher than everyone, reminding them that all are equal before the law of God. The Granth is kept covered with beautiful fabrics to keep it protected. Throughout the service, a Chaur Sahib is used to fan the Granth as a sign of reverence and respect for the scriptures, similar to how servants would fan a great ruler or pharaoh.

Our hosts begin by explaining some of their clothing and its meaning to us. Most Sikh men and women keep their uncut hair covered, men with turbans, and women with headscarves. Sikhs also wear wooden combs in their hair, special cotton underwear, and a ceremonial sword (small, like a dagger) called a Kirpan.

Harmonium and Jori accompany beautiful traditional songs.

The Kirpah represents the fight against injustice. Mormons are often asked about the sacred garments we wear, so finding out that Sikhs also wear symbolic clothing made me realize, again, how much we share in common as followers in faith. I like most about their ceremonial clothing the steel bracelets worn on their right wrist—to remind them to live life with integrity and strength.

As the presentation continues, two of the women play Harmonia, which look like keyboards mixed with accordions. A third woman plays two Jori, and all of the women undulate their voices in traditional song. There is an ethereal beauty in the music that is very unfamiliar to my American ears.

Throughout the meeting, men, women, and children come before the dais to kneel and place their foreheads on the floor in respect, often leaving money in the box in front of the dais. All monies collected are used to feed the hungry. Sikhs believe that if you are physically hungry, you cannot hear scripture. Religion should be available to all, so all should be fed when hungry.

The women were brightly dressed. And we learned that Sikhs have symbolic clothing.

Sikhs are an optimistic, positive people who believe in living by three basic tenets:

Naam Japna Remember God at all times.

Kirat Karna Commit to earning an honest living without exploitation or fraud.

Vand Chakkna Charity and service to all.

We learn that Sikhs seek to avoid the five vices which lead people to be self-centered and create barriers between ourselves and God. If a person can overcome these five vices, they are on the path to liberation.

1. Kam– Lust
2. Krodh–  Anger
3. Lobh–  Greed
4. Moh–  Worldly Attachment
5. Ahankar–  Pride/Ego

Tanpreet, Raj, Ashwinder, Harbir, Karaj, and Manjit teach us about the Sikh faith.

Sikhs rise in the morning and straightway take a shower, before putting on clean and fresh clothing. Then they meditate before going to the Sikh center for prayers. There are set prayers, morning and night, which we are invited to participate in, if we wish.

Sikhs greatly respect women, believing that ‘from woman come all kings’. I find it fascinating to watch the women speak freely and sing freely. In my mind, I had falsely assumed that turbaned men and women with their heads covered meant that women would be subservient to the men. I  find this to be completely untrue as the women are clearly given an equal voice and are treated with deference.

After the service they served a wonderful dinner.

When a person chooses to follow the Sikh faith, they gain a new last name:

For a woman, it is Kaur, meaning Princess, thereby giving women value and respect.

For a man, it is Singh, meaning Lion.

This is done to eliminate discrimination based upon a person’s family name and reinforces that all humans are equal before God.

Sikhs are great believers in interfaith diversity. For a Sikh, it is less important what religion you are, than that you are a good follower of that religion. Are you a Hindu? Be a good Hindu. Are you a Muslim? Be a good Muslim. Are you a Mormon? Be a good Mormon.

The food was plentiful and delicious!

Following the teachings about Sikh history and religion, we are led to an open room with carpets laid out and invited to sit. As we do so, we are served delicious foods! A word of warning, if they warn you something is spicy, it is VERY spicy! I’m not sure what was in the vegetarian green sauce, but I am very grateful for the yogurt to cool down my mouth!

Another word of caution, you will be offered more wonderful food than you can possibly eat and you will not want to stop eating because it is so delicious!

All are welcome to visit a Sikh Godura, they are open 365 days a year. After such a gracious and warm visit, I am planning to bring my children to experience and learn from this incredible faith.

Elizabeth Latey

So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.

~Bahᾱ’u’llᾱh

A warm, welcome awaited the Philadelphia Interfaith Visionary Women’s Council in the beautiful Baha’i Center. The meeting of our differing faiths would have pleased the founder of the Baha’i faith, Bahᾱ’u’llᾱh, as the spiritual unity of all humankind is the foundation of all he taught.

Philadelphia Interfaith Visionary Women’s Council gathering.

Bahᾱ’u’llᾱh, was born November 1, 1817. He was persecuted for his beliefs and spent forty years of his life imprisoned. He wrote tirelessly of his insights and these writings are the basis of the Baha’i faith. Underlying everything in the Baha’i faith is the idea that humankind advances towards God as a whole. No one person or people can alone grow closer to God. Unity is essential.

When someone of the Baha’i faith speaks of unity, they are not referring to conformity. Instead, each person has a specific role to play and to try to play someone else’s role undermines your own journey to truth and the whole of humankind suffers the loss of your unique contribution.

This symbol is also called The Greatest Name, represents an invocation, “O Glory of Glories.” This is a translation of the Arabic word ‘Baha’ the name of the founder of Baha’i.

We are meant to bless all of humankind with our diverse gifts and talents. Therefore, there is unity in diversity; not unity in conformity.

This beautiful, all-embracing unity is at the heart of what Christians, believe as well. I found myself examining my own heart as I listened to the teachings of Baha’i. Do I have full unity with others? Do I separate myself from someone else because of misunderstandings or pride? Am I truly trying to be one with others?

The greatest sin for a follower of Baha’i is to gossip or back-stab someone else. Division is the opposite of unity, so division, caused by backstabbing, is the principal sin. To a follower of Baha’i, this discord is also the root of all other sins. When this was shared in our meeting, I began to turn inward and genuinely apply this to myself.

How am I truly doing in my personal life in healing division? The more I pondered this concept, the more I found could be worked on. Take a moment and think on it, “Are you truly at one with those in your life? Even within your thoughts?” Our thoughts are the birthplace of our words and actions.

Discover for yourselves the reality of things, and strive to assimilate the methods by which noble-mindedness and glory are attained among the nations and people of the world. No man should follow blindly his ancestors and forefathers. Nay, each must see with his own eyes, hear with his own ears and investigate independently in order that he may find the truth.

~Abdu’l Baha, Divine Philosophy

Our Bahait hostesses: Pam, Nahid, and Giti.

The active investigation of truth in all areas of life is strongly encouraged in the Baha’i faith. There is no separation of science and religion, rather there is simply an all-encompassing search for truth in all areas of learning.

This independent search for truth resonated with me, as one of my faith’s prophets taught us much the same:

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. –Moroni 10:4

Sincerely searching for truth, regardless of its purview is the only way we can fully develop and grow. It is not enough to be studying things of the spirit, we need to learn of God’s creations that surround us. We need to continually be humbly searching for truth and use this search for truth to guide our lives.

I am so very grateful for the journey that has allowed me to walk beside my sisters of other faiths as we each share our beliefs and traditions. This experience has made me examine my own faith with new perspective. With each new examination, I have grown to more profoundly love my own faith’s teachings. Truly, God is over all and His truths are to be found in so many unexpected areas.

By Elizabeth Latey

Elizabeth Latey

As a Mormon, I honor those of the Jewish faith. I admire their history and the tenements of their faith: family, community, and honoring God above all else. I have wanted to attend a Passover Seder and was given the opportunity when Natalie Katz, a fellow member of the Philadelphia Interfaith Visionary Women’s Council, invited me to come to her home to experience the first night of Passover Seder. As I accepted her invitation on behalf of myself and my daughter, Natalie patiently answered my questions.

Me and Natalie in her kitchen. I had so much fun!

What should we wear?

Whatever you feel comfortable in.

We don’t drink alcohol, will that be a problem?

Not at all, grape juice will be there as well; it, too, is a “fruit of the vine.”

What can I bring? (This is a Mormon cultural thing, we don’t attend anything without bringing food!)

Haggadah Booklet

Would you bring fruit salad?

Are there specific rules I need to know about preparing the fruit salad? (I was panicking that perhaps I would offend if I brought something inappropriate! Do Jewish people eat pineapple?!?)

Any fruit should be fine, my son is a vegan, so just be aware of that.

My daughter and I were greeted warmly with hugs and introductions to everyone gathered there. The Jewish-Catholic neighbors were there with their Jewish observing son and daughter; the Catholic neighbor was there with his young grandson, Mason; Jewish cousin Ken; Natalie’s husband, Steve, and daughter, Leila, (her vegan son was still working). It was a full house with all of us. We rearranged the two tables so everyone could be together and the Passover began.

The whole group: Jews, Mormons, and Catholics.

Haggadah books were passed to each of us. Natalie’s husband, Steve, explained that Haggadah means ‘Order’ in Hebrew. These books are like Passover how-to manuals, telling us the order of the celebration. Steve read aloud the first page explaining each part of the Seder Plate, as Natalie rushed back and forth to the kitchen to grab anything forgotten.

Seder Plate:

Matzah: special crackers placed on a plate and covered with a napkin. Matzah is eaten to remind us how their ancestors had to leave Egypt in such haste that the bread dough for their bread did not have time to rise.

Beitzah: roasted egg: a symbol of mourning (as eggs are the first thing served to mourners after a funeral), evoking the idea of mourning over the destruction of the Temple. 

Seder Plate

Z’roa: a roasted bone: to recall the lamb their ancestors sacrificed. During the tenth plague, Adonai (God, the Creator) “passed over” the homes of the Israelites and spared their firstborn.

Maror: horseradish: a large piece. Bitter to remind them of the bitterness of slavery.

Karpas: parsley: which is dipped into salt water. The dipping of a simple vegetable into salt water, and the resulting dripping of water off of said vegetables visually represents tears and is a symbolic reminder of the pain felt by the Hebrew slaves in Egypt.

Charoset: Mixture of apples, pears, walnuts and wine (With a smaller dish of grape juice version thoughtfully prepared for the Mormons present!) This represents the mortar or clay used by their ancestors in slavery to build Egyptian monuments.

Chazeret: Bitter Herbs (A small bowl of grated horseradish, although it was explained another bitter herb could have been used in place of this.) symbolizing the bitterness and harshness of the slavery the Hebrews endured in Egypt.

I had imagined a very formal and stiff affair; however, I was surprised to learn that Passover is actually designed to be for children. The symbolism is explained thoroughly throughout the very long meal so that everyone understands. Whenever I had a question, several people jumped in to answer—lots of laughter and lots of detailed explanations. This was a group that knew their Jewish history!

It was wonderful to learn more about such an important part of Jewish history.

The Passover Seder asks and answers the question, “What makes this night different from all other nights?” The answer is the story of the Jewish people: how the Israelites defied Pharaoh and fled toward freedom.

Every aspect of this celebration is designed to remind those celebrating of this pivotal and defining event in their people’s history, from the bitter herbs to remind them of how bitter the Egyptians made the lives of their ancestors to the salt water to remind them of the tears shed by their ancestors in the bondage of slavery.

Each page of the Haggadah booklet was written first in Hebrew, then phonetically spelled out (for those of us who are not Hebrew readers), then written in English. Steve read aloud the Hebrew, often with others reading along with him, then everyone would read aloud the English portions.

There were even parts of the Passover, or Pesach, where everyone sang! I felt a little bashful until I caught Ken’s eye across the table and he nodded encouragingly at me, so I quietly attempted to sing the unfamiliar tunes in Hebrew. Thankfully, the tunes were simple and repetitive, so that by the end of the meal, I felt as though I had fully participated.

I took this picture to remind me of the patient teaching that happens during Passover Seder—reminders of Jewish history and the goodness of God.

I especially loved the song when thanks is given for the many acts of kindness shown by God the Creator, Adonai. I snapped a quick picture on my phone of the page. Although not a good picture, it shows the patient teaching that happens during Passover Seder—reminders of Jewish history and the goodness of God.

Prior to this night, I had only known Natalie, and that friendship was still in its early stages! However, as we sang this page together, there was a feeling of joyful oneness. All of the differing faith traditions: Jewish, Catholic, Mormon, or some unique combination not yet defined, came together in respect and gratitude for the miracles we’ve each experienced in our own lives. We sang of God’s goodness. We sang, some of us brokenly and out-of-tune, together, united in this warm moment of community.

We laughed together at Mason’s antics, he jumped and contorted his body in increasingly difficult spins to win our applause and compliments. We talked together about the need for differing faiths to come together more often in these moments of respectful sharing. We passed the jellied candies, the grape juice and wine, and we learned about each other.

Thank you so much Natalie for opening your home and heart to this Mormon! I learned so much and I look forward to returning the favor … perhaps an invitation to one of our family home evenings?

By: Elizabeth Latey

Elizabeth Latey

The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral’s doors are open to ALL who need a sacred place.

The Reverend Sarah E. Hedgis, Associate Priest over Congregational Life, welcomed us warmly and taught us about the Christian season of Lent. Although a devout Christian, in my own faith of Mormonism we do not celebrate Lent. So I came to this event excited to learn more about a tradition observed even before its official recognition by the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D.

Lent occurs 40 days prior to Easter (not counting Sundays), in remembrance of the time of Jesus Christ’s forty day fast in the wilderness. Lent is a preparatory time of prayer, sacrifice, and good works prior to Easter. This time is meant for reflecting on your commitment and relationship with God.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which falls on March 1st this year. Ashes are placed on the forehead in the sign of a cross—powerfully symbolizing both repentance and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. The ashes symbolize the knowledge of our mortality, from dust we were created and to dust we will return. Ashes also symbolize repentance or remorse for those things that draw us away from God.

Beautiful stained glass from the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral.

The observance of Lent is unique and personal to the individuals who follow it—you can choose to fast, or to go without, anything that draws you away from God. Perhaps you feel like you are watching too much television, or indulging in too many sweets, or maybe you feel the need to forego Facebook.

Anything that may be enticing you away from your relationship with God would be something to go without during this season of fasting.

Another option for Lent is to actively do something to bring yourself closer to God. Meditation, daily scripture study, or daily acts of service are all examples of efforts to commit to keeping during the season of Lent. The objective of Lent is to re-align your life with God and to come closer to Him through your daily living.

“Tree of Life” from the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral art collection.

As this idea of fasting and recommitting to God was discussed within our group, I was struck by how many similarities there are among our different faiths. In my own faith, I fast the first Sunday of each month, going without food and water for 24 hours. I, too, use this time to pray and ponder upon my own life.

I hope to gain insights into how I can be more like my Savior. There are even occasions, other than the first Sunday of the month, when I have fasted for a particular purpose. Always, my fasting has at its foundation a desire to grow closer to God.

Those of the Jewish faith in our group expressed recognition that Yom Kippur shares similarities with the season of Lent. Yom Kippur is also a season of fasting and purification before God. Those of the Muslim faith shared that the month Ramadan is also a time of fasting, having confidence that fasting will cause a believer to be more aware of God all the time.

Artist Won Choi with “Eternity,” one of her sculptures in the “Heaven is the Limit” exhibit.

This concept of fasting, or going without something in order to draw closer to God, transcends theologies. Although it is not normally a part of my preparation for Easter, after learning more about the traditions surrounding Lent, I think that I, too, will make an effort to remove those things from my own life that pull me away from God. I will make a stronger effort to build habits that will help me to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

As part of our interfaith experience, we were invited to consider the art exhibited throughout the cathedral. Won Choi, an internationally renowned artist, exhibited her Heaven is the Limit collection in the Cathedral. Won’s use of the elements of fire, water, air, earth, and space symbolize that what is beautiful is spiritual and what is spiritual is beautiful.

Won works with a concept, sometimes for years, before one of her pieces is complete. This is true for my own journey of spiritual growth—dedication and time are essential to gaining greater understanding.

Won Choi’s sculpture “Eternity” up close.

Over her years as an artist, Won has discovered that as her own spiritual understanding has grown and developed, so has her perception of the world. What a wonderful lesson for each of us! As we deepen our own spiritual understandings, our perceptions will also mature.

May each of us continue to reach across the issues that could divide us. Let us seek for greater understanding in conversation. Let us listen to each other with respect. My own experience with learning about others’ faiths has only deepened my appreciation for my own faith. Through studying others’ beliefs and practices, I am more fully embracing my own.

 By Elizabeth M. Latey

Public Affairs Assistant Director in Social Media

Philadelphia Region

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elizabeth Latey

News reporters, showcasing the tasteless and the rude, are doing their jobs and seeking to boost ratings. Some celebrities are even using coarse and offensive antics just to get attention.

My friend Stacey at the Women’s March on Washington 2017.

As I spoke with the women in my life who marched this weekend, the sense of degradation and tearing-down too often seen this last year in politics and in media, was simply not there. Instead, I heard love. The women I know marched because they have love for others and they care about the future of this world.

What a historic weekend this was. Over a million people, from around the world, joined together in unity to express that this world can be a better place.

Stacey is one of the most passionate and compassionate women I know. She could not be kept at home when she feels so strongly, “Our country deserves a leader that not only respects women, but respects all Americans.”  She wants a world where everyone is respected.

Korlu is an immigrant from Africa and her passionate defense of people, in all walks of life led her, too, to join in the Washington D.C. walk.

“I felt powerless and alone in my fear. I felt for all those men and women of color, poverty, illness, hopelessness. I knew going would be healing. I wanted to be an example for my children that just staying silent can be just as toxic as the injustice itself. [Being there at the march] was like being wrapped in love. Thousands of people that have each other’s back. Not since childbirth have I felt more like the strongest woman on earth.”

My friend Korlu is an immigrant from Africa.

These women don’t know each other, yet they were both in Washington D.C. because they want to show a message of unity and love. With over a million people involved, there will not be a consensus on any one ‘right’ way to do anything, but there is a consensus that we need to do things together and with kindness.

Sunday evening, I was privileged to gather with seventy other women for the first gathering of the Philadelphia Interfaith Visionary Women’s Council. Diverse women gathered, from the ages of sixteen to ninety-three, from religions as diverse as Judaism, to Muslim, to Sikh, to Buddhism, to numerous Christian faiths, including my own Mormon faith. Each of us there to share our own stories of faith to strengthen each other in the ongoing battle against division, hatred, and ignorance.

In the application process, we were asked to share our hopes for this council—what do we hope to achieve as we meet together? Responses were as varied as the women who wrote them:

“My dream would be to see all women of all walks of life empower one another as we seek to embrace both our similarities and differences. As women, we have much power that can change the world, if we work together as one unified group.”

 

“… by gaining a deeper understanding of other religious communities, we will learn more about our own religion and its meaning in our own lives …”

 

“Whenever I am in interfaith settings, I feel the fullness of God. I feel that Imageo Deo is only complete when all races, cultures, and faiths are represented.”

 

“I don’t think that we’ll be able to heal unless we do the internal spiritual healing that all religion, at its best, calls us to do.”

 

“I truly believe the purpose of all faiths is the teaching of the common values of goodness, kindness, and decency that we hold as human beings.”

The Philadelphia Interfaith Visionary Women’s Council.

We listened to each other share stories about how each of us came to appreciate our own faith. The dialogue was open and respectful. By listening, we learned. By learning, we understood. With understanding came respect.

Did you know that Muslims revere many teachers throughout time and believe that Jesus Christ was a teacher, bringing people to Allah (Arabic word for God)? I did not. Sixteen-year-old Husnaa taught me of her faith. I believe that Jesus Christ is the master teacher and His teachings do bring me closer to God. On that we can agree. We will not agree on all theology, but we can understand. With understanding comes respect.

Women shared experiences of standing up for what they believe in and staying true to that truth that burns within each of our hearts. The sharing made me realize, I too, could stand with more courage for my own truth.

Margaret D. Nadauld, a leader in my faith taught:

Margaret Nadauld

The world has enough women who are tough;

We need women who are tender.

There are enough women who are coarse;

We need women who are kind.

We have enough women of fame and fortune;

We need more women of faith.

We have enough greed

We need more goodness.

We have enough vanity,

We need more virtue.

We have enough popularity,

We need more purity.

We need more everyday acts of kindness. We need to reach out with love to everyone we meet. We need to be brave enough to act according to the truth within each of us, even if it’s not popular.

As we closed our time together, everyone closed their eyes and took a breath, assessing what one word best captured this time of open, respectful sharing.

Unity.

Peace.

Sisterhood.

Courage.

Faith.

Let us continue the lessons learned this weekend. Let us link arms together. We are strong enough to allow differences. Let us allow someone to be different, yet still embrace them as a fellow journeyman on this path of life. Let us, together, make this world a better place.

 By Elizabeth M. Latey

Public Affairs Assistant Director in Social Media

Philadelphia Region

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elizabeth Latey