The message that SHOULD be delivered next general conference

[_Buffalo]

My beloved brothers and sisters, we know all too well the pain of having a loved one fall away from the faith. It has affected us all in some way. But I stand before you and testify that we should never let our disappointment in someone's disaffection from from the faith color the way we treat them. No parents in Zion should ever shun or disown a child who stops believing, or treat them as an outcast in any way. Disbelief is not cause for divorce. If your spouse stops believing, embrace them. Love them all the more and treat them with kindness and respect.

If someone in your ward loses the faith, treat them the same as always - with love and kindness and friendship. Don't shun or fear them. Don't gossip about them or assume their disbelief stems from some gross sin. Brothers and sisters, as we foster and nurture close relationships with those among us who lose faith, we show them through our actions that our religion is true, and we give them no cause to speak ill of the church. Often those who are mistreated as they lose their faith become the bitterest enemies of the church. Let us build the bridges of friendship one with another, in and out of our faith. God loves all his children - including those who, for whatever reason, lose faith. Let us show them equal love, and keep them close to us and not sever these critical relationships. Only in this way can we be said to be sincere disciples of the master, even the Lord Jesus Christ.



That should be the message next General Conference. But it won't be.

[_Drifting]

Buff.

Sadly, if this were the Prophets message at the next conference most members wouldn't recognise the behaviour he spoke about and assume he meant some other ward?

[_Fence Sitter]

Maybe it is the exception, I don't know, but my last two wards have treated me mostly that way. I consider my current home teacher a good friend. I believe we let our encounters here color our views of what most Mormons are really like. Being in a ward-level LDS leadership is like volunteer coaching. Little or no training, the pay really sucks and for the most part you hear more complaints than you do compliments. The ones that excel are those that focus on adapting the organization to fit the individual rather than the other way around.

[_Buffalo]

"Elders, never love your wives one hair's breadth further than they adorn the Gospel, never love them so but that you can leave them at a moment's warning without shedding a tear. Should you love a child any more than this? No. Here are Apostles and Prophets who are destined to be exalted with the Gods, to become rulers in the kingdoms of our Father, to become equal with the Father and the Son, and will you let your affections be unduly placed on anything this side that kingdom and glory? If you do, you disgrace your calling and Priesthood. The very moment that persons in this Church suffer their affections to be immoderately placed upon an object this side the celestial kingdom, they disgrace their profession and calling. When you love your Wives and children, are fond of your horses, your carriages, your fine houses, your goods and chattels, or anything of an earthly nature, before your affections become too strong, wait until you and your family are sealed up unto eternal lives, and you know they are yours from that time henceforth and for ever." (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 3, p.360)

[_RayAgostini]

My beloved brothers and sisters, we know all too well the pain of having a loved one fall away from the faith. It has affected us all in some way. But I stand before you and testify that we should never let our disappointment in someone's disaffection from from the faith color the way we treat them. No parents in Zion should ever shun or disown a child who stops believing, or treat them as an outcast in any way. Disbelief is not cause for divorce. If your spouse stops believing, embrace them. Love them all the more and treat them with kindness and respect.

If someone in your ward loses the faith, treat them the same as always - with love and kindness and friendship. Don't shun or fear them. Don't gossip about them or assume their disbelief stems from some gross sin. Brothers and sisters, as we foster and nurture close relationships with those among us who lose faith, we show them through our actions that our religion is true, and we give them no cause to speak ill of the church. Often those who are mistreated as they lose their faith become the bitterest enemies of the church. Let us build the bridges of friendship one with another, in and out of our faith. God loves all his children - including those who, for whatever reason, lose faith. Let us show them equal love, and keep them close to us and not sever these critical relationships. Only in this way can we be said to be sincere disciples of the master, even the Lord Jesus Christ.



That should be the message next General Conference. But it won't be.

I'm almost tempted to say, "inspired".

[_sock puppet]

The OP statement is feared that it might make it okay for "actives" to come out of the closet about their disbelief. Not what they want.

[_Mercury]

The membership would not bat an eye. Its not like people actually are listening during GC in the first place. Besides, the next speaker will contradict him anyways.