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It& #39;s the first Sunday, which is generally fast and testimony meeting in LDS churches. So I would like to share my testimony.
I have a testimony that the Church has had a difficult past, to say the least. I have a testimony that the Church is imperfect.
I have a testimony that the Church has had a difficult past, to say the least. I have a testimony that the Church is imperfect.
I have a testimony that the Church has been anti-feminist, racist, homophobic and transphobic. I have a testimony that these things have caused people to be violently removed from their spiritual home--sometimes kicked out by leaders they trusted.
I also have a testimony that the Church& #39;s actions, refusal to apologize for past wrongs, and imperfect reasonings have caused immense agony and despair to many. It has caused hurt, which hurt has even lead to death by suicide. I know that repentance requires apology.
I have a testimony of repentance and I long for the day when the Church makes restitution for its actions.
I have a testimony that if we don& #39;t speak up and acknowledge honestly the issues in our Church, nothing can change. Nothing will change!
I have a testimony that if we don& #39;t speak up and acknowledge honestly the issues in our Church, nothing can change. Nothing will change!
I have a testimony that when people know better, they do better, and therefore education is vital to the people of our faith. I have a testimony that someday, the Church *will* do right by its members, whether they be Caucasian or not, heterosexual or not, cisgender or not.
I know this because Christ leads this Church. I have a testimony, though, that leaders are not infallible, & I have a responsibility to educate myself & to use the gift of personal revelation to do so.
I walk by faith, seeing nothing. I have a testimony that God meets me here.
I walk by faith, seeing nothing. I have a testimony that God meets me here.
I pray that the Lord will guide us as we work to acknowledge the imperfections of our Church and as we work and speak out to change them for the better. I know He will meet us where we are at and help to take us farther than we can imagine. He is at the helm, always.
This is my testimony: I love the Church and I believe in the Church, but I will not pretend to be blind for it. I will not be silent when its members espouse racist, anti-feminist, queerphobic, or just plain wrong teachings. I will extend grace as much as possible in correction.
I know that in the end, it will all work out. But if we want it to *work out,* WE MUST BE WILLING TO DO THE WORK. Let us honestly acknowledge our mistakes and work to change them. I am so thankful for a faith that evolves as the world evolves, just bc it *can* evolve.
That& #39;s the beauty of continuing revelation. It continues. It evolves and it changes. I pray that we can be patient as revelation comes and that we can seek out our own confirmations of doctrine. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
