The lines we draw

The lines that divide us only exist in our own minds. I have no quota on how many or what kind of people I can call cherished friend or valuable aquaintence. I do not see my religion or heritage as a safe place to huddle by only reaching out to those who share it. The autrocities that have happened in this world were led by a few evil men and followed through by the followers who believed in the lines or boundaries they were taught.

How many Germans felt trapped when the reality of their new world order sunk in? Probably many had no idea that children were burned, intelligent and loved human beings were beaten and valued less than cast off cattle. But when they did realize it did they still draw that line between themselves and the pitied but nonetheless inferior jew? That glow of humanity that gave them the gift of guilt, did it erase that line? Or was it only more confusing to know that the genocide of an entire people was wrong but unexplainably deserved as they'd been told and believed?

Prejudice, hate, war, genocide: only exisit because the majority allow fear a place in their heart. Fear of what is different and misunderstood. This fear is the father of the lines we draw.

We as a human race.
We as different nationalities and cultures.
We as Americans.
We as white skinned people.
We as conservative middle class country folk.
We as Utah christians.
We as Mormons.
Myself as wife, mother, friend, and thinking Vernal citizen.
Do these catagories draw lines that divide us?

Only if we believe they exist. I refuse to let that fear into my heart. I am no different from any other human who has lived before or who will live after me on this earth. Unique, yes. But no different in the eyes of God.

Peace more tangible than the clothes on my back

I accept that there will never be world peace on this earth. As long as it is inhabited by mortal, carnal humans there will be war, suffering, and sadness throughout our world. This comes down to two things in my opinion that there is really only one solution to. First the absense of respect for self and others. The second is the lack of compassion and warmth for others. The only solution for our world is to embrace a compassionate lifestyle focused on respect for others and self. This is what the Gospel of Jesus Christ preaches, to strive to live like Jesus Christ lived while on this earth.

When I think about Christ I know he was a man who had a special ability to love everyone regardless of the choices they made or lifestyle they lived. His compassion was unconditional. I've heard the phrase to "love the sinner and not the sin." This phrase carries a negative connotation because it is labeling the subject as in the wrong or in the word as a sinner. It does carry a strong accusatory and negative tone in the way that our society approaches humanity and I can see why. Who am I to call another person a sinner? Who am I to put my lifestyle choices above another, one being correct and another sinful? Simply put I do not feel I have any right to do so. But in regards to life choices I disagree with, I believe a higher authority has set these boundaries on morality and I've chosen a life of faith in that authority and His divine boundaries or commandments. I  could not claim to have such faith if I did not equally proclaim that it is my responsibility to show unconditional love and compassion to all man regardless of their faith, lifestyle, or perspective. It is my responsibility to respect the agency and freedom to choose that every individual claims. Christianity is not Christianity by a person who only follows every outward commandment. The prerequesite for any Christian is an ability to love and respect one's fellowman as closely as possible to Jesus Christ; a lifetime of striving in these inward matters will outweigh any display of outward obedience though both are significant in our relationship with our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ.

I feel great comfort in knowing that Jesus Christ is a perfect judge. He knows every individual heart. His perspective and understanding exceed any mortal understanding we can have. It bothers me to have feelings unresolved; to not be able to put into words my sincere caring for those who are hurt by my beliefs. But in the end I know who it is that I trust and I know that He is a perfect judge of not only my heart but of every man. At the end of the day I can feel peace in knowing that, and that peace is tangible and real; more than the physical matter around me. After all this life is really only shadows and our real life has not yet begun.

Sometimes all there is in common is respect

I have to admit I want to find a sugar coated way to discuss same gender attraction, marriage, and what I believe, with those who have an opposite or different viewpoint. I have never enjoyed conflict and dislike the idea of not being liked much less being hated or despised. But what stands ahead of those feelings are what I know to be true. I know that God's ways are not man's ways. When it comes down to it there is line drawn between those who look to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to guide their life and those who for their own reasons choose to live their life here on earth without that influence. The one way naturally can't understand the other. It never surprises me to hear someone scoff the outdated, old fashioned, and seemingly blind people of faith. If you have never felt the peace and sacred experiences of being guided and influenced by the Spirit of God then you simply can't understand. It wouldn't make sense to follow something you've only ever heard about but never yourself felt. Of course anyone with an open heart can know for themselves what that feels like but that takes an open heart and the humility to turn to your maker in sincere prayer. And that is something every man gets to choose for himself.

What I return to however is the demand that all must conform to the current push to legalize marriage as having a genderless definition. I hear the demands that I change my beliefs in the name of discrimiation but I see that very demand as a discrimination of my beliefs. It may be that all we will have in common is the choice to respect each other and our rights to choose for ouselves our vote, opinion, and voice.

The freedom I love

I have this idea and it just follows me around. What would an open discussion about Mormons and controversial topics of this time look like? What would it's purpose be and could it be a good thing? I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In fact, I love the term Mormon and that I fit in that catagory. The best one line description of what I love about being Mormon is that I've been blessed with peace and purpose because of it. I also love diversity in people, culture, and lifestyle. Diversity represents freedom to me and not just the freedom talked about in terms of being American. The freedom that inspires me is the freedom that God gives every man to choose his own path and make his own life. That we are each agents in charge of ourself and our own happiness. I believe that the moment this type of freedom is gone, our potential for growth and happiness in this life are gone.

One of the beliefs I cherish as a Mormon is this:

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

Truth and Tolerance

A few weeks ago I was in the library and I decided to browse the 10 cent shelf for any treasure worth at least a dime. I came across a series of religious themed books: the history of one church, the encyclopedia on that church, etc. I decided I had to have them. I felt a need to learn about religion, the history of religion, and learn more about my very own religion and as a consequence my own faith and how it lives, intertwines, and coexists with other faiths. All Christians look to Jesus Christ as their Savior. That core value unites at least all Christians and a respect for God or a higher being connects us with faiths aside from Christianity. Well I've also felt the urge to reach out. Reach out and open discussion about faith, my faith, issues of our time, and how our perspectives are alike and different. I feel daunted by this challenge I've set before myself. Yesterday Proposition 8 was overturned in California and it reignites the discussion about marriage and its definition. I read the church's news release about this and the comments afterward. I felt insulted and confused by the accusations that mormons are bigots, haters, etc. I believe that marriage is an institution ordained by God or in other words marriage is not a word with a flexible definition that a society can change. I claim this belief as my own personal right of opinion. I just as adamantly insist that EVERY man be given the same personal right to believe as they choose. Therefore I can respect the supporters of gay marriage. They have the same right as I do to live and believe as they choose. I know that one of my best friends is a dedicated supporter of gay marriage and I respect her for that. She and I may have differences that could tear apart our friendship but we do not let them because I believe we have a deeper respect for each other than that. I've wondered how she thinks of me as she knows I do not support gay marriage. I want to ask but am afraid too. It would hurt me to hear her confess she views me as a bigot or a sheep blindly following a herd with no personal thought on the direction we're headed. I guess that begs the question on how I honestly view her. Time to think some more.