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Brotherly Love - The True Meaning

I just became aware of this advisory from my church leadership, and wanted to save it and share it with my followers. I have at least one grandchild who will deal with this in his life, and we want to support him in finding true happiness in this life and the next. I heartily support the view expressed here.

QUOTE:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement through a spokesman following the delivery of a petition by the Human Rights Campaign:
My name is Michael Otterson. I am here representing the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to address the matter of the petition presented today by the Human Rights Campaign.

While we disagree with the Human Rights Campaign on many fundamentals, we also share some common ground. This past week we have all witnessed tragic deaths across the country as a result of bullying or intimidation of gay young men.  We join our voice with others in unreserved condemnation of acts of cruelty or attempts to belittle or mock any group or individual that is different – whether those differences arise from race, religion, mental challenges, social status, sexual orientation or for any other reason.  Such actions simply have no place in our society.

This Church has felt the bitter sting of persecution and marginalization early in our history, when we were too few in numbers to adequately protect ourselves and when society’s leaders often seemed disinclined to help.  Our parents, young adults, teens and children should therefore, of all people, be especially sensitive to the vulnerable in society and be willing to speak out against bullying or intimidation whenever it occurs, including unkindness toward those who are attracted to others of the same sex. This is particularly so in our own Latter-day Saint congregations. Each Latter-day Saint family and individual should carefully consider whether their attitudes and actions toward others properly reflect Jesus Christ’s second great commandment – to love one another.

 

As a church, our doctrinal position is clear: any sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong, and we define marriage as between a man and a woman. However, that should never, ever be used as justification for unkindness. Jesus Christ, whom we follow, was clear in His condemnation of sexual immorality, but never cruel.  His interest was always to lift the individual, never to tear down.

Further, while the Church is strongly on the record as opposing same-sex marriage, it has openly supported other rights for gays and lesbians such as protections in housing or employment.

The Church’s doctrine is based on love. We believe that our purpose in life is to learn, grow and develop, and that God’s unreserved love enables each of us to reach our potential. None of us is limited by our feelings or inclinations. Ultimately, we are free to act for ourselves.

The Church recognizes that those of its members who are attracted to others of the same sex experience deep emotional, social and physical feelings. The Church distinguishes between feelings or inclinations on the one hand and behavior on the other. It’s not a sin to have feelings, only in yielding to temptation.

There is no question that this is difficult, but Church leaders and members are available to help lift, support and encourage fellow members who wish to follow Church doctrine. Their struggle is our struggle. Those in the Church who are attracted to someone of the same sex but stay faithful to the Church’s teachings can be happy during this life and perform meaningful service in the Church. They can enjoy full fellowship with other Church members, including attending and serving in temples, and ultimately receive all the blessings afforded to those who live the commandments of God.

Obviously, some will disagree with us. We hope that any disagreement will be based on a full understanding of our position and not on distortion or selective interpretation. The Church will continue to speak out to ensure its position is accurately understood.

God’s universal fatherhood and love charges each of us with an innate and reverent acknowledgement of our shared human dignity.  We are to love one another. We are to treat each other with respect as brothers and sisters and fellow children of God, no matter how much we may differ from one another.

We hope and firmly believe that within this community, and in others, kindness, persuasion and goodwill can prevail.

Read the rest of this story at LDS.org

The Pain of Loss

One acquires friends for several reasons. But to me the most important is to share the joys and burdens of living in an imperfect world. If we had to carry all our own baggage alone, it would be hard sometimes to look up into the light rather than only seeing the plodding step below us.

A good friend is right now in pain for the loss of a close loved one. Intellectually we all know that one day we will die from this life, but that doesn't make the impact of its reality any less when it comes into our world through such a loss.

Friendship gives us each a part of that suffering even if we aren't present at the event. Our empathetic feelings cause us to ponder on the wonders and vagaries of life and a desire to reach out a hand to lift off the sadness of our friends. It seems so unfair when wonderful and kind people or innocent children pass into the beyond. But friends become all the more important to temporarily gather in to the space that has opened as an abyss to the sufferer of the loss.

My friend, Hendel, has suddenly lost her beloved mother. She is now focusing on the nature of the life they shared as parent and offspring. Memories not revealed over the passing years are now the substance of the present.

We somehow feel that recalling past thoughts will cause the image of the loved one to be real. It seems that we fear that if we don't relive our images of the person that they will disappear too swiftly, like losing a fine jewel into a stream and can never be found again.

The question arises as to why do or should we mourn a loss of a loved one. I have come to feel after losing a son in a sudden death that without passing through that experience I would never be able to truly be the kind of friend that is needed at such a time. My own loss could actually help another person find their way back from that abyss of the unknown.

While it is true that each person feels uniquely their own pains of mourning, it is also true that confidence in the sharing of another increases when they too have experienced a personal death transition. All of us need to know that the person trying to console us has felt similar pain and thought similar thoughts, but managed to come out on the other side with only a scar on their heart and not a catastrophe.

I have also learned that while a person is in the throws of agony no consoling or encouragement will be of any value to the mourner. What can be extremely valuable is that a friend stands nearby and waits for the trembling hand to be extended for support. That is when we can contribute to their life and recovery. For this is the opportunity to stand in the place of the invisible arm of the Creator to surround them with the warmth of a parent's love.

We have to take on faith that the one who has passed on is also receiving that arm wrapped about their shoulders in the other realm. And they both will be waiting to receive us in our turn.

I will stand by for my friend. If she doesn't need a shoulder from me then I will be all the happier, because I will know that there have been enough friends before me who have lifted some of the burden.

I look forward to the next opportunity to troop together while we continue our days of learning.