Why does having friends at church feel so important? Feeling known is part of feeling like you belong, but finding friends in a ward with whom you can be yourself isn’t always easy. In this episode, Cynthia and Susan talk about friendship, and how our relationships with the members with whom we worship and serve can impact our personal and family happiness, and spiritual well-being.
Notes:
The Gifts of Christmas, by Howard W. Hunter, December 1994
The Next Mormons: How Millennials are Changing the LDS Church, by Jana Riess
Disciples, by Chieko N. Okazaki
All Joseph Smith quotes from this episode can be found here
Annalyn
President Hinkley said once that new members need three things: a job (calling), a friend, and “nourishing with the good word of God.” I think every member, not just new members need these things. I tend to gravitate toward the less-than main-stream members, the atypical. Molly Mormon just isn’t quite my cup of tea. I like the outspoken, and the wallflowers.
Linda
Not having a Mormon husband AND being right on the edge belief wise has always made me feel like an outsider. I have occasionally felt drawn to certain people- male and female- only to find a few years later that they leave the church! I would love to be brave and outspoken enough to find other like minded souls but how do you do that? We liberal Mormons who have found a home here with you two wonderful women need a secret sign we can use to recognise each other in the real world!! I would love to be able to be completely honest and authentic but it’s hard.
Kelly W. Hanohano
I’d be all about a secret sign…like a secret handshake so we could tell when we are among like minded sisters. in my head I keep seeing the hand jive from Grease. Maybe it should e a little more subtle! 🙂