The Prophet Joseph Smith said: "The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done." (History of the Church, 4:540)
The man who said this was a Prophet of God. A man, who chosen by The Lord, was schooled and trained by Him and heavenly messengers from a young age. A man who despite all the greatness of impact he had on others, was always humble and cognizant of his position and that ultimately, he was not indispensable in The Lord's work.
In fact, the catalyst that initiated the beginning of the Restoration of Christ's full Gospel, authority, and kingdom upon the earth, came about because this man, while but a boy, first asked a question of God in full humility. A couple years later, having as he himself described, been involved in activities that would be categorized as youthful foibles, he asked God what his standing was before him. Joseph made it clear he was not guilty of anything bad, just that "I was guilty of levity, and sometimes associated with jovial company, etc., not consistent with that character which ought to be maintained by one who was called of God as I had been." (Joseph Smith History 1:28) This was a 17 year old boy who was feeling this!
Oh the integrity of that young man! While scores of individuals and groups seek to discredit Joseph as being a charlatan and worse, I will maintain my position of knowing Joseph was called of God, and that despite his imperfections, he was indeed a true prophet. His life and attributes are worthy of emulation, and I hope to someday be worthy of dwelling in the same realm of glory he and all other true and faithful servants of The Lord have inherited by the Grace of God and by being cleansed in the blood of The Lamb.
In today's world, there is a great famine for integrity. The doctrines of relativism abound, and Satan is having a hey-day with people of all religious persuasions. It is not just those who do not consider themselves religious anymore. Certainly not just those who consider themselves athiests.
In the last couple of days, the latest bad press story aimed at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been the discovery that sometime in 2006, a trio of full-time missionaries allegedly physically damaged a shrine owned by a Catholic parish in Colorado. There are photos that were posted somewhere on the internet that also appear to show the trio being disrespectful of the parish's chapel and altar. The parish has voted to press charges. I do not know if it is simply against the three men, who clearly behaved foolishly and without integrity, or if it is towards The Church in general.
Ultimately, it doesn't matter to you or me who the charges are leveled at. We, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are a peculiar people. As such, we as a people are subject to greater scrutiny and scorn when one or some amongst us do something that is stupid, wrong, or worse -- criminal. So what that the anti's and disgruntled apostates take this and use it to hammer the members, missionaries, and Church at large... it won't stop the work from going forward though. It will not ultimately hinder the work or progress of the Church in building up The Lord's kingdom.
Unfortunately, there are some among us who unconsciously infer the above cited statement by The Prophet Joseph Smith means they can act and behave without thought of the consequence. It has likely been that way from the beginning of this dispensation. Well, sure it has. Weren't the early Saints driven from Missouri as a result of their pride, sins and transgressions? (see Doctrine & Covenants 101 and 105)
We as individuals and His servants are not to go forth with brashness, scorn for others, or pride. We are commanded to do our duties with humility and charity... as The Master whom we serve did during His earthly ministry.
What went wrong with these three men (behaving as spiritually immature children)? Where was the integrity and common sense that should have been there for three men who were called by Him and set apart from the things of this world to be an example unto the world as they acted in the role they were supposed to act in? All kinds of excuses can be made for and about what they did, but the fact remains, they acted poorly.
Parents, leaders, advisors, and anyone else who influences youth...
... you do those you mentor no service by not teaching and expecting responsible behavior from them, and heaven help us if you have taught the wrong concept of responsible behavior!
... you do those you mentor no service by rubber stamping them through programs and cutting corners on requirements for awards, thinking that spirit of the law always supercedes the letter.
... you do those you mentor no service by indulging them by providing Pavlovian rewards for good behavior, like have some candy for bringing your scriptures.
... you do those you mentor no service by not making consequences stick for bad behavior, or worse if the consequences you do apply have no teeth.
... you do those you mentor no service by ignoring the ease with which teens who are bored and have led fairly comfortable lives fall into attitudes and habits of disrespect, because afterall they aren't really being prideful, right?
And yes...
... you do not stand morally blameless when stuff like what these three did happens if you did not labor dilligently within your stewardship.
1 year ago
4 comments:
What's scary is I can hear in my head what these missionaries probably said, "This would be hilarious! Let's pretend to preach here at this alter!"
Doesn't excuse their behavior and they should be held accountable for their actions. But, I don't think they were purposely setting out to mock and desecrate another's faith or sacred place. I think they were being very ignorant and insensitive. So sad for them, but even more so for this Catholic congregation.
Agreed. Their is no excuse for their behavior. But, I doubt it was a "heat of the moment" decision. While not necessarily pre-meditated, it more likely stemmed from a learned, habitual attitude of one or more of the trio.
When I served a mission, I saw a couple individuals make a mockery of others and their beliefs, just not anywhere to this extent. It was as inexcusable then. It said volumes about the individual, and their parents and upbringing.
Disrespect or mockery of others and what they hold sacred hopefully is still something rare. In my day as a missionary, it was more often exhibited by those who never had the benefit of living in an area where one wasn't part of the majority religious persuasion.
When it happens today, is it maybe less that reason and more indicative of parents and youth leaders not teaching some fairly basic, pragmatic values for success in life and in living the Gospel, like respect, obedience, duty, honor, and discipline?
In our LDS culture, by the time one is 19 years old, one is supposed to be mature enough to behave as an adult. Sure, one may not be completely mature, but when one has been taught well by goodly parents and leaders, one can still behave as an adult. This is evidenced by the vast super-majority of young people who serve missions with complete honor and love the people they are called to serve and don't make a mock of their beliefs or culture.
But, in our high stress world culture of consumerism and keeping up appearances, how often are parents too busy working or supporting extracurricular things like sports and development of talents that they don't realize or won't admit that Johnny or Suzy are not only living in the world but are of the world?
Maybe they don't realize in the effort to be a "friend" to their darling angels by keeping their lives comfortable and catering to their every whim, that maybe their darling angels aren't darling angels inside anymore.
Maybe they have helped the adversary put a flaxen cord around their teens' necks... a cord of finding it acceptable to maintain a false sense of pride, laugh at others mockingly, and to generally disrespect authority in any form.
How often these days do parents really instill the mindset and value of "Remember who you are and what you stand for. Your actions -- good or bad -- not only affect your reputation, but reflect back on your parents, family, and their good name."
I agree that it stems from people who are not exposed to other faiths or religions.
On 2 separate occasions that I can remember, I've been with the youth of our ward where we were exposed to preaching of another faith (one being Community of Christ). I made sure to stop being the friend and be their leader.
I made sure to point out the doctrine which was incorrect (stating tactfully that we do not believe that--here is what we believe) as well as pointing out the influence of the Spirit to help teach us.
It's a fine line, though, to expose our children to other faiths and teach them why we believe what we do in relation to another's beliefs. I think it a worthwhile venture as our children will at some point question doctrine of our faith and other faiths.
I believe that because it's a delicate line and that many parents are not equipped to deal with other religions, they avoid doing that. "Only learn of your faith since we're right." No wonder many people call us arrogant. Heck, I'm all for skipping church on occasion to learn and experience other faiths.
Comparative religion instruction by parents isn't the key for their offspring to act responsibly and behave themselves in a respectful manner.
Teaching and expecting what is acceptable behavior is --both in and not in Mommy's and Daddy's presence.
"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior." -- Pres. Boyd K. Packer
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