You might be familiar with the story about Lehi’s vision in The Book of Mormon. If you’re not, you can watch a video dipection of it HERE.
For the longest time, ok honestly, up until a couple days ago my view on the people in the “big and spacious building” were people who were not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They didn’t believe. They had never been baptized. But then this quiet whispering touched my heart. The people who occupied that big and spacious building were not just non members. There were also members pointing, laughing and making fun of the people who were partaking of the fruit.
I know, that so often this is the cause of faithful members falling away from the Church. It breaks my heart. Yes, we all have free agency. Of course, we can choose to take offense or let it slide off our backs. But I also know, we all know, that words and actions of others can really hurt. It would be hard to walk into a building and have to be in the same room with people who have offended you for two hours. Especially when you know that was the one place where you should feel loved and accepted.
If this speaks to you personally, I am sorry you have felt this. If you are currently facing this, I am also sorry. You shouldn’t have to feel that way. But here’s the thing. None of us are perfect. Please don’t let the actions or words of others keep you from going to church. Their stuff is their stuff. If you were once an active member and you are suffering from this please come back. I know that the Church is true. I know deep in my heart that our Savior wants you there. Don’t do it for you. Don’t do it for the people there. Do it for Him. Go so you can feel His love for you when you sing the hymns. Go and feel the peace and forgiveness He has awaiting for you as you partake of the Sacrament. Go feel His embrace. Sit and feel it. Soak it in. Do it, because you love Him.
On another note, bringing it back to those people in “the big and spacious building.” And I’m not just speaking to members. I am speaking to all. We don’t know what others have gone through. We don’t know their stories. We have not walked in their shoes so we do not know what they are truly feeling. The greatest and best thing we can do as human beings is to love. Love everybody. Be a friend and be kind. Be the one that helps others feel loved and accepted as they are.
If this speaks to you personally, I am sorry you have felt this. If you are currently facing this, I am also sorry. You shouldn’t have to feel that way. But here’s the thing. None of us are perfect. Please don’t let the actions or words of others keep you from going to church. Their stuff is their stuff. If you were once an active member and you are suffering from this please come back. I know that the Church is true. I know deep in my heart that our Savior wants you there. Don’t do it for you. Don’t do it for the people there. Do it for Him. Go so you can feel His love for you when you sing the hymns. Go and feel the peace and forgiveness He has awaiting for you as you partake of the Sacrament. Go feel His embrace. Sit and feel it. Soak it in. Do it, because you love Him.
On another note, bringing it back to those people in “the big and spacious building.” And I’m not just speaking to members. I am speaking to all. We don’t know what others have gone through. We don’t know their stories. We have not walked in their shoes so we do not know what they are truly feeling. The greatest and best thing we can do as human beings is to love. Love everybody. Be a friend and be kind. Be the one that helps others feel loved and accepted as they are.
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