Today was one of those difficult days for me. The lesson was on being good citizens. I knew that talking about being involved would lead to politics and that would lead to me getting frustrated because I'm more liberal than the average Mormon. So the kids were pretty chatty which was frustrating but not the worst thing. We got into the lesson and sure enough when i asked "How can we contribute to society by upholding the government?" i got the response, "Vote republican." Oh my. From there it just kind of got worse with the 16 year olds talking about how the country is going to socialism, and how Obama is just like Hitler. We ignored those comments, made it clear that the church does not endorse any political party, and tried to move on with the lesson.
We got through the politics part and moved on to the community service part. I thought it would be a much more neutral part of the lesson and that they would have more to contribute and that we could end on a high note. I was disappointed. I asked what they can do to improve their community and I got nothing. They didn't really bring up any service small or big and the only thing they brought up was that they could improve their school community by getting rid of the gay club. I wanted to cry. Intolerance and hate hurts my soul. David finished his part and it was my turn to leave the last thought and close. All i could say is that the Savior loved everyone regardless of what they did. Everyone, no matter who they are or what they do, are children of god and they deserve respect and love. It is our responsibility to respect others regardless of whether we agree with what they do or not, look for the good that they have to contribute to the world, because they contribute something good to the world, and we should try to make the world a little better. Then we had a prayer and ended.
We had finished a little early so David and i took a couple things out to the car and talked about how the lesson went. We both agreed that it was a tough one and that it highlighted many of the reasons that we never wanted to stay in Utah. Those type of beliefs are so prevalent here.
The whole experience today got me thinking. thinking about who the Savior really is and what he really thinks of us. I do believe that he loves everyone regardless of their choices. I don't believe that he excuses sin (i won't even start to go into what is and isn't sin and what we should and should not do to prevent/punish sin, that's not my place to judge) but i do believe that he loves us in spite of our sins and weaknesses and he wants us to become better and is willing to help us do so.
How dismal the world looks when we look at every one's faults and mistakes! How much better it is when we look at what every person contributes to the world! How much brighter the future seems! How much more love there is! How much more peace! How much more genuinely Christlike the world is!
I admit I'm not the best at finding the high points in life or the best traits in people. But I'm trying to be better. I hope I'm getting a little better everyday and i hope that people forgive me when I'm not super positive about life or people. It's a weakness of mine that i am trying to improve. The experience today helped me to refocus on my goal of becoming a truly tolerant and loving person. And my Christmas wish for the world is that everyone would be a little more tolerant and look a little deeper for the good in others.
That wish goes along with my favorite Christmas song, "I heard the bells on Christmas day":
I heard the bells on Christmas day
their old familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet the words repeat
of peace on earth, good will to men.
I though how, as the day had come,
the belfries of all Christendom
had rolled along th'unbroken song
of peace on earth, good will to men.
and in despair i bowed my head:
"there is no peace on earth," i said,
"for hate is strong and mocks the song
of peace on earth, good will to men."
then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"god is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
the wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
with peace on earth, good will to men.
till, ringing, singing, on its way,
the world revolved from night to day,
a voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
of peace on earth, good will to men!
Merry Christmas! I hope you all have a peaceful holiday.
PS. thanks mom. I realized that i get my hate of intolerance (kind of seems like an oxymoron) from you. You are probably one of the most tolerant people i know! I love you!
3 comments:
Seriously, sometimes I worry about the future. I teach the 14-17 boys, and even out here in the real promised land they say a few things that just make your jaw drop. They're generally good, but wow. I feel for you.
Erica and I saw that same type of political intolerance out here in the DC singles ward. Fortunately, the family wards out here have been much better, which has made us both glad. We realized it's because many of the parents out here have advanced degrees from schools that aren't in Utah, whereas the singles tended to be graduates straight out of BYU or the U who haven't finished their graduate education yet. Also, a lot of newbies who came here to work for right-wing organizations.
I think the sad focus of many of our church's youth is on all of the bad things they cannot do in life, versus the good things that they can do. Quite often they view the world as a bunch of wickedness in others that needs to be eradicated, as opposed to opportunities to serve and help others. I find it to be a rather negative and contentious world view. Part of me wishes I could move to Utah just to show these people the way. But Erica has not been very keen on the idea. Lol.
You know, when someone says something bigoted to me I'm usually in a position where I can ridicule them for it -very mature of me, I know. I'm all about taking the high road! :) I'm not sure what I'd do if I was put into a room full of teenagers who know everything, and then told to be nice to them.
Seriously, though, insightful post.
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