Once a month we are given the opportunity to formally bear testimony of the things in our heart about the blessings we have as followers of Christ.
It is called Fast and Testimony meeting and it's the 1st Sunday of the month. I'm sure other churches have ways of expressing their devotion to the Savior as well.
It is common to hear someone say during their testimony that they know the church is true. I myself have said the same.
However, there was a nagging of doubt about my exact wording when I said it, and was not sure how to express what I really did feel.
It came clear to me in my decade of the 20's that I needed to rethink it. You see, I was then working for the church in Salt Lake City, Utah. It's fair to say that in the 8 or so years of my employment in the FamilySearch Department I did have a moment or two or three where I did make a mistake.
Yes, we prayed all day every day. Yes, we were Very aware of the fact that our paycheck depended upon the tithing of the Widow's Mite..and that these funds were sacred. Yes, we did our very, very best. I can say that with no doubt.
But I learned that it was a great organization wherein mistakes are made and we would trip up and skin our knee and have to try again until we got it right...until our offering was acceptable unto the Lord.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is perfect. The church, sometimes has a bad day. Bless it's heart. ;)
There is a well stated talk given in the April 2012 General Conference by Elder Donald L. Hallstrom which I have linked at the bottom of my thoughts that confirms this concept.
When people in the church, especially in leadership positions make a mistake in judgement and do the wrong thing, we must not confuse this with the Gospel of Jesus Christ..for you see, Jesus Christ will Not do the wrong thing.
He is perfect. Even in his example of baptism He was perfect in His obedience to The Father while He clearly did not need of it to wash away any sins.
It is with that thought that I depend upon as I work through a betrayal of privileged communication from myself to a leader that happened a few months ago that continues to bear negative fruit for myself and family.
I had learned the lesson, a few years ago, when Bishop Henricksen of my last ward said to John and myself the following:
... " wow, you must really want it, you must really believe in the Gospel to continue to be active in a ward that has made so many errors in judgement and has treated you both so poorly."
We shook his hand, smiled and said something like, "yes, there has never been a doubt in the truthfulness of the Gospel... we are supposed to learn something from all this, and we certainly will try our best to figure it out. "
He chuckled and we left the scheduled meeting we had with him on how to navigate the rough waters.
What I wished I would have said... (you know how that is right ? where you think of the better response later...; ) is that "yes, it is a clear validation to me that with all the effort the devil is putting into causing contention and turmoil with good hearted people that absolutely the Gospel is true and good and wonderful."
So, now time for the pop quiz... did the lesson stay true in my heart ?
Yes.
So,
Let us remember and be sure our hearts and hands are clean and pure.... our church family is what we make it to be. let us play nice.
Let us teach our children to Not be offended and lose perspective of the eternal nature of things and to pray for our enemies who did us wrong, especially if it was within the holy place of a church family which should be a 'safe place' of worship, healing, covenants, service.
Let us bear testimony that the Gospel is true with our thoughts, words and of course, our actions.
Let us remember the 'privilaged communication' placed with us as leaders... to Not share private emails or personal conversations or information acquired in council meeting with others unless we have first acquired permission to do so. (with exception of course wherein danger to someone is pending).
Let us prayerfully acknowledge a wrong, and then remember to go easy on the foolish choice of another, as we are gonna have a bad church day too.
Let us prayerfully apologize and have a big slice of humble pie if we have done wrong to another..with intent or on accident, best to be sure no tender heart was wounded..
The pie has no calories and it is fat free. We will actually lose weight from laying down the burden of guilt.
I am so glad to say... that I now know what to say.
I know this Gospel is true. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/converted-to-his-gospel-through-his-church?lang=eng
