Sunday, October 3, 2010

My Apology to the LDS Faith

Put Your Trust in God

It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is.
It all works out. Don’t worry.
I say that to myself every morning.
It will all work out.
Put your trust in God,
and move forward with faith
and confidence in the future.
The Lord will not forsake us.
He will not forsake us.
If we will put our trust in Him,
if we will pray to Him,
if we will live worthy of His blessings,
He will hear our prayers.
                                  - Gordon B. Hinckley

Yesterday I posted a list of reasons why I would not be attending the LDS General Conference that is being held this weekend just 6 blocks from my apartment, and it got a few angry comments.  You see, I was stumped for a blog topic and had recently read a satire by D. P. Sorensen in this week's City Weekly called "The Iron Rod Doctrine."  Needless to say, it gave me the idea to do something similar on my blog.  I thought that I was being cheeky and amusing, but people were offended.  And I'm sorry.

I decided to post this poem by Gordon B. Hinckley, former President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, because it was always one of my favorites and it highlights the best things about the LDS faith.  In these words spoken at his wife's funeral, Hinckley was able to convey so much heart, humility, and undying optimism.

I have many fond memories of my life growing up in the Church and I am thankful for its impact.  I'm thankful for the knowledge that there is a God, that I am one of His children, and that regardless of how I might feel He is invested in my life.

I'm thankful for the feeling of security and home that I always had growing up in my La Junta, Colorado Ward.  From age seven on, my family moved a lot, divorced a lot, and seemed to be in a constant state of transition... yet every Sunday for fifteen years I was loved and welcomed by the same faces and the same building.

The Church's strict teachings on drugs, drinking, and chastity kept me in line during my high school years and allowed me to focus on my studies.  I avoided a lot of the drama other kids my age were encountering, and was worthy to serve a mission in Chile.  While so far from home I learned a lot about myself.  My strengths.  My weaknesses.  And I owe all of that to the Church.

So from the bottom of my heart, I apologize.  Let us all "move forward with faith and confidence in the future," and may that future be united and not divided.

3 comments:

Renee said...

beautiful words jack.
its a shame u had to write this tho.
people need to not be so touchy wen it comes
to religious stuff.
i found ur list very witty &funny.
u shuldnt have to apologize.
but still, nice post.

Serena said...

I agree. You shouldn't have to apologize. Just as there were those who felt the need (and had the right) to publicly respond to your very funny list, you had the right to post it. Do not feel obligated to write an apology.

PS. I loved it!

Ryan said...

"The Church's strict teachings on drugs, drinking, and chastity kept me in line during my high school years and allowed me to focus on my studies. I avoided a lot of the drama other kids my age were encountering, and was worthy to serve a mission in Chile."

I love that Jack. I'm thankful to have had those teachings during the teenage years as well.

This post shows your great perspective. Thanks for sharing.

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