Today was the post fourth of July Sunday. I went with the family to church. It was fast and testimony meeting. Nothing terribly inspirational except singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic. But I did notice something really fascinating:
Our ward is about as integrated as a Provo ward can get. Today a black father (married to a white gal) blessed his baby, then later spoke. 3 other black individuals also bore their testimonies. It struck me as notable. 30 years ago black members of the church were non-priesthood, non temple blessing folks. In other words, they lacked their church civil rights. (Sorry, didn't know how else to put it). I've never seen 4 african american members speak in one meeting before. All wonderful people.
As my wife and I left, I mentioned to her what I had noticed. She said--thats one of those things I just can't really accept about the church (referring to its past). I told her I sure understood it. As we were walking home she reminded me of something she said that President Kimball's wife supposedly said about putting things like that in a box. ie. polygamy or other "problematic" LDS topics. My wife said one of hers was the idea that men can marry as many women as they want in the temple--but women have to have "temple divorces" to do so.
All of these "topics" seem very tied to the "Old Testament" view of God and what he is and how he wants things. I realize I am failing very badly at putting homosexuality, attraction to men, etc into a box and leaving it there.
It has taken 30 years to see this much progress in the church among black/african americans. How much longer before we see real progress or acceptance of our own?
Well, at least it wasn't an emotionally painful church service for me. Took the family up in the mountains, had a picnic and walked up a trail. So incredibly beautiful. I thought to myself that I never wanted to waste another Sunday afternoon sitting around doing nothing again.
Our ward is about as integrated as a Provo ward can get. Today a black father (married to a white gal) blessed his baby, then later spoke. 3 other black individuals also bore their testimonies. It struck me as notable. 30 years ago black members of the church were non-priesthood, non temple blessing folks. In other words, they lacked their church civil rights. (Sorry, didn't know how else to put it). I've never seen 4 african american members speak in one meeting before. All wonderful people.
As my wife and I left, I mentioned to her what I had noticed. She said--thats one of those things I just can't really accept about the church (referring to its past). I told her I sure understood it. As we were walking home she reminded me of something she said that President Kimball's wife supposedly said about putting things like that in a box. ie. polygamy or other "problematic" LDS topics. My wife said one of hers was the idea that men can marry as many women as they want in the temple--but women have to have "temple divorces" to do so.
All of these "topics" seem very tied to the "Old Testament" view of God and what he is and how he wants things. I realize I am failing very badly at putting homosexuality, attraction to men, etc into a box and leaving it there.
It has taken 30 years to see this much progress in the church among black/african americans. How much longer before we see real progress or acceptance of our own?
Well, at least it wasn't an emotionally painful church service for me. Took the family up in the mountains, had a picnic and walked up a trail. So incredibly beautiful. I thought to myself that I never wanted to waste another Sunday afternoon sitting around doing nothing again.
I am failing very badly at putting homosexuality, attraction to men, etc into a box and leaving it there.
ReplyDeleteThings like blacks and the priesthood or polygamy really don't affect you personally - your attraction to men is an integral part of who you are. I'm not so sure putting it in a box is even healthy.
Although, I also confess I'm rather bothered by the alleged quote from sister Kimball regarding putting "problematic" LDS topics in a box - is there no room in LDS culture for honest discussion and disagreement? If something bothers us, are we really supposed to just 'put it in a box' and try to forget about it - is it satanic to try to seek resolution? It just sounds so brainwash-ish - just accept what we say, and if something bothers you then put it out of your mind and forget about it.
Hi Joe,
ReplyDeleteI started doing things in a box and soon enough had to keep upgrading to bigger and bigger boxes until I could not find one big enough to put all my issues. I see the benefit of places like Sunstone, where many of these things are discussed openly but at least to me it feels a bit too over my head I must confess, but in the process the everyday member only has the stay or go choices and that is not always the most effective solution.
Hugs,pl
Abelard--I think I've learned I really can't put my "gayness" into a box. Perhaps the problem. I too have thought about the fact that there seems no room for this sort of discussion.
ReplyDeleteSo now it falls to me to figure out that since I probably can't put it in a box, and it isn't healthy--what do I do to it?
PL--"bigger and bigger boxes" seems awfully familiar to me.
I hope it won't take too long for the church to integrate gays into the church, as they integrated African Americans. I doubt it is coming anytime soon, however.
ReplyDelete