The title of today’s episode tells you exactly what this discussion is about. It’s a question we ask ourselves all the time: Why do so many Latter-day Saints—leaders and members—seem to prefer nudging people to walk away from our community over doing the work of love? Mormons don’t generally shy away from hard work, and we’re devoted to showing our love for God. But “love” sometimes ends up in derisive air quotes in our collective discourse, rather than genuinely guiding our interactions or our hearts. It’s hard to understand how a church that bears Jesus’ name struggles to make room for everyone.
Notes:
Always a Guest: Speaking of Faith Far from Home, by Barbara Brown Taylor
Planted: Belief and Belonging in an Age of Doubt, by Patrick Q. Mason
Lisa Shumway
I think learning and teaching how we can love one another and show charity to each other (which will serve God) is the most important issue for us to tackle in Christ’s church. Thank you for your efforts.
Kara Reeder
Cynthia, you read a quote from Joseph Smith on this episode about lifting people from where they are. I LOVED IT! Where did you get it?
Susan Hinckley
I loved that JS quote too, the idea of lifting people, “and in their own way too.”
History of the Church, Volume 5, page 498 [499]
Scott Jones
Squeezed out… great comment and quote. Saw this facebook post last night. I hope it is not true on a broad scale. I hope it is not a systematic purge or squeeze out that is underway. I find it so frustrating that a transwoman would have to sit in the hallway while Relief Society is going on. I read her account yesterday. I would like to see the Relief Society Sisters leaving the classroom in unison and going out into the hallway to be with her. Here is the post:
Your feedback wanted. It is Sunday evening. In the last 48 hours I’ve heard from:
Married same-sex couples who still believe in the LDS Church and have been instructed to either get a divorce or officially resign. They all received letters in the last week with these instructions.
Faithful transwomen who have been barred from attending Relief Society (the women’s Sunday meeting in the LDS Church). They have sat in the hallway alone during the meeting.
Young men and women who have submitted all of their paperwork for their LDS missions, and instead of receiving a mission call, they received a letter in the mail “excusing” them from service. All of them have had an LGBTQ parent.
May I ask a favor? If you have done something in the last week or so, to embrace LGBTQ+ people in your family, your neighborhood, or your Church, will you please tell me? I need stories of inclusion, of embracing God’s children. I need some hope tonight. I know they exist, so I’m seeking them out.
Amy Grigg
Susan, can you share a link to the beautiful essay you read? I want to reflect on it over and over.