Yesterday concluded General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, of which I am a member. The conference lasted over the space of two days- the first day I was on a bus traveling home with 100 students from Disneyland- so I didn't have the opportunity to listen to the conference.
However, I noticed something weird happening on my facebook feed that I would occasionally check. At the second session, the general authorities call for a sustaining vote, they also call if there are any opposed. In my 36 years of life I never recall anyone opposing. Well this time, I few did. And facebook blew up with commentary. People will yelling all sorts of THINGS to make a POINT! (Disclaimer: I have a love/hate relationship with social media particularly facebook. I love seeing what's going on in people's lives, the funny things they post, pictures of loved ones and adventures and I dont mind the occasional respectful debate. However, I HATE the spewing forth of words and opinions without regard to consequence. Although people are not anonymous, they still say things they probably wouldn't say to someone's face. Without physical cues, facial expressions, tone of voice- it is hard to ascertain someone's true intent. It just makes me sad how rude people can be at times.)
Yesterday my sister, who has left the Mormon church, posted a picture that called into question President Monson's claim to be a prophet seer and revelator. When I first saw it, I thought, oh no- here we go again. My sister is not one to back down from opinions- she is not one to hide- but, to her credit- I do feel for the most part she is respectful of beliefs other than her own. Sometimes she makes flippant comments, but because I KNOW HER, I know that she doesn't mean it in the way it could come across.
What followed after was a bit of a firestorm. And at the center of it all was her. Some people agreeing, but some people disagreeing. But what I found troubling was how much some attacked her for having her opinion. What good does that do people? How is that Christ-like behavior? Why is it that our immediate gut reaction is crazy defense without giving pause to the reason why people think the way they do?
I love my sister. I also love the gospel and do sustain President Monson as a prophet. I believe the church is true. She believes it is not. One day we will both know. Until then I will love her, disagree with her, respect her, laugh with her and thank my Heavenly Father that I have such an amazing, interesting, compassionate, thoughtful beautiful woman for a sister.
So, to my fellow believers, I know you feel you are merely standing up for what's right, but keep in mind that the way you stand up can produce way more harm than good. And when it comes right down to it, only you are responsible for your own salvation. We all have a different path to walk, we all have different experiences and we all are imperfect. So instead of attacking, respectfully disagree (which some people did) and then just love.
For the scriptures teach us, "Judge not, that ye be not judged."- Matthew 7:1 and most importantly- "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."- John 13:34
So, please- think before you attack someone's beliefs- you would feel terrible if the same thing was done to you.
