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.
Haha... love the picture!
ReplyDeleteI liked this conference overall as well. I think Priesthood session was my favorite though.
Glad you like the photo. It also gives me hope that the junior most Apostles of the church obviously are OK with male-to-male touch. Not that the other Apostles aren't sometimes shown being affectionate with each other. I love how President Hinckley did the knighting thing with his cane!
ReplyDeleteThere was a lot of good. I particularly was touched by the good of others expressed by Elder Andersen, and the powerful witness of Christ of Elder Holland. I was left wanting so much more from Pres. Monson (note: can he ever give a talk that isn't structured around three simple points that have been rehashed?) I guess one can find the good and the bad depending on what you are looking for.
ReplyDeleteLove the picture, too...