From the Dec 2014 Liahona

Not Fitting In

Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see over the crowd as Christ passed through his city.
Zacchaeus, Make Haste, Come Down, by Gary L. Kapp

I joined the Church when I was 13 years old. I had a testimony of the gospel, yet I had a nagging feeling that I didn’t quite fit in at church. Everyone else knew the songs and the scripture stories; I didn’t. Everyone else had memories of Primary activities or family home evening lessons; I’d never done either of those things.

But beyond that, everyone seemed to have the same interests and opinions—sometimes very strong opinions that were the opposite of mine—about everything from movies and politics to the interpretation of certain scriptures. I would look around at all of the nodding heads and think, “You’re nice people and I am a nice person. But we are just too different. I don’t belong here.”

I struggled with those feelings for several years. Then I recalled and reread the story from Luke 19 about Zacchaeus. Because he was a publican, he was unpopular and considered a sinner. But when Jesus passed through his city, Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see over the crowd. He didn’t care what others thought of him. It was this act of climbing the tree—separating himself from the crowd—that enabled him to have a very beautiful and personal experience with the Savior. As I read, I recognized that my feelings of being an outsider were not coming from Christ. Jesus was inclusive and forgiving. He actively sought those who were judged and cast aside—those who seemed different.

I can’t say I’ve never felt out of place again. I have. But I’ve learned that the things that make me different—the way I look, the way others look at me, the things I’m passionate about, the way I think about the world—these are not reasons to fall away. These are the reasons the Church needs all of us, with all our different talents, strengths, and perspectives.


Elaine Vickers lives in Utah, USA.

On Love and Family

This quote had me riveted when watching General Conference.

“Marriage is more than your love for each other. … In your love you see only your two selves in the world, but in marriage you are a link in the chain of the generations, which God causes to come and to pass away to his glory, and calls into his kingdom. In your love you see only the heaven of your own happiness, but in marriage you are placed at a post of responsibility towards the world and mankind. Your love is your own private possession, but marriage is more than something personal—it is a status, an office. Just as it is the crown, and not merely the will to rule, that makes the king, so it is marriage, and not merely your love for each other, that joins you together in the sight of God and man. … So love comes from you, but marriage from above, from God.”

Source:
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a brilliant German theologian born in 1906. Bonhoeffer became a vocal critic of the Nazi dictatorship and its treatment of Jews and others. He was imprisoned for his active opposition and finally executed in a concentration camp. Bonhoeffer was a prolific writer, and some of his best-known pieces are letters that sympathetic guards helped him smuggle out of prison, later published asLetters and Papers from Prison. One of those letters was to his niece before her wedding.

And this one:

I am convinced that a husband is never more attractive to his wife than when he is serving in his God-given roles as a worthy priesthood holder—most important in the home. I love and believe these words from President Packer to worthy husbands and fathers: “You have the power of the priesthood directly from the Lord to protect your home. There will be times when all that stands as a shield between your family and the adversary’s mischief will be that power.”

From Linda K. Burton

To Keep the Church from being Homogeneous and Monoculturistic:

 In our religion, as in ecology, the potential for change is found at the edges, where tens of thousands of unorthodox members already live. The church needs these members to start talking. Not protesting, not arguing, not resigning their memberships in solidarity. Just talking. Being seen for who they truly are. Connecting.
Each time a non-traditional Mormon lets her neighbor see her unique beliefs, she makes it easier for everyone in the congregation to be true to themselves. One respectful voice at a time, the silent minority will begin to understand that they aren't alone in their doubts and beliefs.

Because when we can ask questions, we can find answers.

taken from this article, emphasis added.

Beautiful Music

I keep playing these a cappella's off of youtube. They're both so moving, and the first one reminds me of my Virginia home.

I'm listening to Pink Floyd.

Why? Because I just bought a Pink Floyd tshirt. And I would feel really lame wearing it without actually knowing anything about Pink Floyd...

So I am listening.

And you know what?

I have no regrets.

It makes pretty decent background music.

And, most importantly... The shirt is super cute.

The back of my head does look kind of weird, though... Almost pointy?

So Much Food.

We don't think my parents have quite figured out yet that half the kids are no longer living at home.

This means..... lots of leftovers.

It Can Be Magical.

We look so happy... but the truth is that we'd just eaten WAY too much lunch at Sammy's in Provo and were sprawling on the grass full of both food and self-loathing.

But it was pretty nice out.