I must live a charmed existence, because I have never doubted the Church, or the reality of God, for that matter. Why does it seem that so many people I love are now leaving everything they have known to be true for the sake of friends, sins, the world, or science? I know I'm not the first person to ask this question, nor will I be the last. I know everyone has their agency. I know they still need (and deserve) all my love and support. I know it has nothing to do with me, personally. I know life can be hard and can cause us to question those things our parents have taught us. I know it has been prophesied to happen.
I also know that our Heavenly Father loves us. I know it isn't always easy to be a member of the Church, and it is downright hard to keep all the commandments, but that it is the only way to have complete joy and peace in this life. I know the power that comes from having the Priesthood in my home. I know the security that is felt as I strive to keep my temple covenants so that my family can be together forever. I know there is darkness and confusion all around us in this world and that through the living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, the Lord can instruct us how to see not only the dangers, but also the light in life. I know that sometimes it takes faith to trust God more than myself, but it has never backfired. Not once. I know that the Savior has atoned for and can heal every wound and every sin. I know this because of my trials, not despite them.
And I know that now these wonderful people, who are all so important to me, are missing out on these amazing blessings.
There is always hope, for as the Savior said when He came to the Americas, "ye know not but they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them." Until then, I will "continue to minister" to and love them.
But it still breaks my heart.
Naptime
16 years ago
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6 comments:
I have been similarly surprised to see friends AND FAMILY members doubt and leave the church especially lately. It is heartbreaking. I appreciate hearing your thoughts and testimony.
This is a beautiful testimony. You are so loving and a wonderful example. Thank you for sharing this; it's a great reminder for all of us.
Those of us who have left don't need your pity any more than you need ours for staying. We have joy and peace, many of us moreso than we ever did as members. I know what I'm missing, and I don't miss it.
Oh, and I left because I found it to be anything but the truth. It wasn't for "sins, friends, the world, or science," though science did play a part.
To each their own. We don't presume you're unhappy and missing out, don't presume we are.
Nessie, I specified that this was about my family members and friends. I know there are other reasons for leaving the Church, these just happened to be the four reasons these individuals have given me for their situations. I know these people very intimately, and I know their feelings. I have also seen them not happy in life since that choice was made.
I have no doubt you mean well, but this wasn't meant to be about you or anyone else I don't know. I wasn't making blanket statements--I was only referring to a handful of people who mean the world to me.
Oh, and by the way, they aren't offended by my statements or by my concern in this matter. They love me for loving them enough to care about their choices and their lives.
It's interesting when people interpret heartfelt concern as "pity."
However, it's a truly heartless person who doesn't desire to see his loved ones enjoy the things that bless him.
Just because I wish that the people I care about would be able to find joy in the gospel does not mean I pity them when they don't.
Like Chelsea, I truly believe that the restored gospel offers peace and joy in this life and eternal life with our families in the world to come.
How could anyone fault us for wanting those blessing for our friends and family (and complete strangers, for that matter)?
Okay, let me clarify what offends me. Statements like this:
"I know it isn't always easy to be a member of the Church, and it is downright hard to keep all the commandments, but that it is the only way to have complete joy and peace in this life."
My family all belong and are active. I would never post on my blog, for them to see, that the only way to have complete joy and peace in this life is to leave the church. If they're happy, I'm happy, even if I think they're believing a boatload of lies. I never tell them they're missing out on anything(though I think they are) or that my "heart breaks" for them because they still believe in mormonism. Isn't it possible to just accept that not everyone wants what you want, and not everyone will be happy with what makes you happy? We aren't all the same and don't fit into one mold.
That said, I'll leave y'all alone now.
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