I didn't know who she was, or anything about her. I was just a guy sitting in the back of the chapel on a hard seat writing a letter to my father. I wasn't listening carefully, and confess I seldom do. But she said something that struck me---"The plan of salvation is for everyone." Nothing I hadn't heard before, but it struck me, and the next thought that went through my mind was, "as long as you aren't gay."
Of course, I don't really believe that, but her beautiful, simplistic statement is what we all want to believe. It is kind, open, accepting and speaks to the most beautiful things in the gospel. It reminds me of some words i love from Mosiah, in the Book of Mormon:
8And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
9Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
9Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
These words to me represent real christianity, and the real gospel. They represent our desire to be better people and give of ourselves to others. Might I say---if only we could just leave it at that... But the church takes it much further, adding requirements, covenants, ordinances and things to the game. And this my friends and brothers, is where things start falling apart for us. We feel legitimate and beautiful feelings and desires not for those of the opposite gender, but for others of our own gender. And in this, we are condemned to be halted at a roadblock. The road block is labeled as a commandment under the law of chastity, which of course is a req
uisite for "the plan of salvation." So, you put up with the roadblock for the remainder of your days, and move on to the next life, or you go around it, discovering what is on the other side.
uisite for "the plan of salvation." So, you put up with the roadblock for the remainder of your days, and move on to the next life, or you go around it, discovering what is on the other side.The other side, in my perception, will be whatever you make it. What do you guys and gals think?
Joe, As I expressed in my last blog post, I think an important thing to remember as one "goes around" the roadblocks, is that all the good we have learned and become needn't be thrown aside. We can still live lives of integrity, with solid moral values and Christian attributes.
ReplyDeleteI tend to think it will be somewhat like it is here. Most people there will be straight and only a small percentage will be gay. But in my idealized hereafter, there will be no limits on love. Everyone will know and appreciate that gays and bisexuals have their place in the scheme of things. We'll be more loved and more able to love.
ReplyDeleteI am convinced that the Plan is for EVERYONE! I am convinced that this includes our gay brothers and sisters. I am convinced it includes you and me. Whether it is per Ned's design or otherwise, I don't know, but I believe God knows. I wish the Prophet would want to discover more, but I don't need his word to feel what I know to be true.
ReplyDelete