“I hope everyone here will feel the love I have for them as I reflect my thoughts. I’d like to share the perspectives I’ve gained through my studies involving varying cultures and race...” “I’d like to read the following words that I feel give more insight…”
“These councils are key to addressing issues of faith because they require diverse perspective and organizational involvement. We need to go out of our way to support and make sure that everyone in our councils feels comfortable expressing their unique perspectives. Just as with women, the same is true for others who are not usually represented in Church leadership. When these individuals are not in our councils, we need to find them, ask them questions, and make sure their voices are heard. We can invite them to sit in on a council meeting to contribute to a discussion on a specific topic or ask a leader to meet with a group of people, listen to them, and report their thoughts back to the council. We need to prayerfully consider what…
“The Methodists have creeds which a man must believe or be asked out of their church. I want the liberty of thinking and believing as I please. It feels so good not to be trampled. It doesn’t prove that a man is not a good man because he errs in doctrine.”
“We call upon all people everywhere to recommit themselves to the time-honored ideals of tolerance and mutual respect. We sincerely believe that as we acknowledge one another with consideration and compassion we will discover that we can all peacefully coexist despite our deepest differences.”
The Steps of Repentance 1. Sorrow for sin 2. Abandonment of sin 3. Confession of sin 4. Restitution for sin 5. Obedience to all the commandments 6. Recognition of the Savior
“...He entreats us to make His Inn a place of grace and space, where each can gather, with room for all. As disciples of Jesus Christ, all are equal, with no second-class groups. All are welcome to attend sacrament meetings, other Sunday meetings, and social events. We reverently worship our Savior, thoughtful and considerate of each other. We see and acknowledge each person. ...Imagining ourselves in their place, we welcome friends, visitors, new move-ins, busy individuals pulled in too many directions. We mourn, rejoice, and are there for each other. When we fall short of our ideals and are rushed, unaware, judgmental, or prejudiced, we seek each other’s forgiveness and do better.” ... Miracles occur when we care for each other as He would. When we come with broken hearts…
“Simply stated, we strive to build bridges of cooperation rather than walls of segregation. As recorded in the Book of Mormon, which we esteem as a scriptural companion to the Holy Bible, the Savior invites “all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he [denies] none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; . . . all are alike unto God” (see 2 Nephi 26:33). May I repeat that last phrase: “All are alike unto God.””
