Sunday, April 5, 2009

Conference Confidence-Builders


Church membership was reported to be: 13,508,509. If only 1% of Mormons are gay, that means we have 135,085 men, women and children who are or will be dealing with this issue personally. Add to them parents, siblings, friends, neighbors, ward and stake members who love and care about these people. This number, I'm guessing, far far exceeds the population of black members of the church when the 1978 revelation was received.

"This is not a time for fear, brethren, but rather a time for faith — a time for each of us who holds the priesthood to be his best self." -Thomas S. Monson

"May you constantly nourish your testimonies, that they might be a protect to you against the adversary. As your humble servant, I desire with all my heart to do God's will and to serve Him and to serve you." -Thomas S. Monson

"We are not alone in our desire to do good. We are not alone in praying and receiving answers. We are not alone in sacrificing for a greater cause...We have much to learn from the good people all around us." -Neil L. Andersen

Did I agree with everything that was said in conference? No. Did I find much to agree with? Yes. The above are a few examples that build my confidence as a member of the church who lived through the changes that came after President Kimball's 1978 revelation extending the Priesthood to all worthy male members, the beginning of the end of decades of racial prejudice with in the church of my birth.