Yes!! The last time I taught the young women, I have each girl a quarter. On one side I had taped, Is It Right? The other side, Is It Moral? These girls were amazing we'd had great discussions about, why would the holy ghost leave when you sin? Don't you need it's help more not less? And many long discussions about purity, sex, and consent. These young women were amazing. They were in the wrestle about what matters. I wanted them to know the basic right wrong good bad paradigm wouldn't always serve them. The struggle to make decisions that most align with moral justice face all of us daily. I wish I felt like mormonism encouraged us to look to Jesus' example of choosing moral goodness over stoning women and condemning tax collectors. Staying in that black and white POV leaves no room for grace.
Well done Cynthia. This mean streak in the Morms (as my grandmother was wont to refer too the church) is connected to the vengeful God of Mormonism we seem to have a love hate relationship with. And reflective of the definition of sin-- and repentance-- Mormons ascribe to. The beauty of metanoia as a continuous life long practice of turning back to God is not part of our doctrinal or lived heritage. Sadly. Below is what I see as a healthy and healing way to consider how to come to live life as our best selves,
This rings so true in my life. I also found myself always listening in on the adults as a child, my Dad nicknamed me “Eagle Ears.” My grandparents often talked about the curses and deserved punishments for sinners. I was always confused as a girl and wondered how they could be so mean to others and still love Jesus, and imperfect me, for that matter.☹️ So many mixed messages that combined both hate and love in the same sentence.
This really resonated with me. As I too would rather listen to the adults talk than play outside with the other kids. I wanted to hear the “good stuff”. And yet in my experience I feel as if all that you wrote was also my life. Condemnation without mercy. I love the line, “err on the side of mercy.” I absolutely love that line and do try to use it in mg own life. Thanks Cynthia. It’s so nice to hear someone voice my thoughts and concerns better than I’d be able to.
I love it! Err on the side of mercy. I also think church members can be so mean because of the persecution roots of the church. It has to hurt to be worth it. Sacrifice brings greater blessings. If I have to suffer, you should too. Can't get anything for free...
Yes!! The last time I taught the young women, I have each girl a quarter. On one side I had taped, Is It Right? The other side, Is It Moral? These girls were amazing we'd had great discussions about, why would the holy ghost leave when you sin? Don't you need it's help more not less? And many long discussions about purity, sex, and consent. These young women were amazing. They were in the wrestle about what matters. I wanted them to know the basic right wrong good bad paradigm wouldn't always serve them. The struggle to make decisions that most align with moral justice face all of us daily. I wish I felt like mormonism encouraged us to look to Jesus' example of choosing moral goodness over stoning women and condemning tax collectors. Staying in that black and white POV leaves no room for grace.
Well done Cynthia. This mean streak in the Morms (as my grandmother was wont to refer too the church) is connected to the vengeful God of Mormonism we seem to have a love hate relationship with. And reflective of the definition of sin-- and repentance-- Mormons ascribe to. The beauty of metanoia as a continuous life long practice of turning back to God is not part of our doctrinal or lived heritage. Sadly. Below is what I see as a healthy and healing way to consider how to come to live life as our best selves,
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DS2qwEiDEsv/?igsh=anU3eGh2dXp2ZWg2
👏🏻 Thank you for your beautifully articulated thoughts. Once again, I am grateful for your honesty and perspective.
This rings so true in my life. I also found myself always listening in on the adults as a child, my Dad nicknamed me “Eagle Ears.” My grandparents often talked about the curses and deserved punishments for sinners. I was always confused as a girl and wondered how they could be so mean to others and still love Jesus, and imperfect me, for that matter.☹️ So many mixed messages that combined both hate and love in the same sentence.
This really resonated with me. As I too would rather listen to the adults talk than play outside with the other kids. I wanted to hear the “good stuff”. And yet in my experience I feel as if all that you wrote was also my life. Condemnation without mercy. I love the line, “err on the side of mercy.” I absolutely love that line and do try to use it in mg own life. Thanks Cynthia. It’s so nice to hear someone voice my thoughts and concerns better than I’d be able to.
thanks cathy for helping me feel less alone in my thoughts! ~C
Always!❤️
I love it! Err on the side of mercy. I also think church members can be so mean because of the persecution roots of the church. It has to hurt to be worth it. Sacrifice brings greater blessings. If I have to suffer, you should too. Can't get anything for free...
" It has to hurt to be worth it. " This right here! It can make us sooo mean!