I, and I think many fellow young members of the church, feel like I'm in a constant wrestle with the church. I love the gospel. I love Christ and his teachings, I believe we're all children of God, I've seen miracles and felt things I cannot deny. But there are people who have been truly hurt by the church and its leaders on a church-wide and local level. Growing up it was easy to ignore it, in fact I was taught to ignore it. But I really can't anymore. I feel so heavily the pain that has been caused. I know that the members are imperfect, and I'm working on forgiveness. But a lot of what the church does as an institution feels like it goes against the very things it taught me to value. Taking accountability, improving on our weaknesses, justice against wrongdoings and advocating for victims and the marginalized. It's really disheartening. Please don't come at me in the comments, I just want to express how I'm feeling. I feel like there's no avenue for me to voice these concerns. I can and do talk to my Bishop, he's amazing. I can talk to my Stake President, which I have, and which was not nearly as validating. But it stops there. I don't think my Stake President is passing that on to anyone else, unless I'm wrong about how that works. I just want to be heard. I wish that there was a way to express concern in a sincere, non-threatening way to our higher up leaders. Does anyone know of any way to do this without being labeled as antagonistic to the church? TIA
There are some interesting responses from other faithful Mormons:
Agree 100%, this is one of the things I wrestle with as well. We are taught to be honest, to apologize when we hurt others, to seek forgiveness, to be transparent in our dealings with others and when we say things that turn out to be wrong, or hurtful, we go to those that are hurt and try to make it right. But when the leaders of the church have done these things, or when the institution of the church has. It’s crickets. I hear you my friend. I have had good bishops who have heard me too, but never had anyone in a stake presidency validate any of these concerns as well. I hear you buddy, hope you can figure things out.
For what it's worth, all of the general authorities I've ever known have been intimately familiar with all of the difficult issues. Also, the best avenue is through the Lord. Talk to Him about your concerns and difficulties and He'll do what He must to bring about His will.
Elder Holland said that they have prayed to tears over the issue. It's not falling on deaf ears, they just don't have more light and knowledge to provide right now.
There are so many similarities to Putin’s war on Ukraine and Rusty Nelson’s war on LGBT. Both Putin and the church are losing, and they can’t understand why. They are so butthurt by any helpful criticism that they just entrench themselves further and further into self destructive policies and propaganda.
This kid asking how he can reach Mormon leaders to talk sense into them is just as ridiculous as a young Russian asking how he can get Putin to end the war. The answer is the same in both cases. Putin and the Mormon gerontocracy have to die before progress can be made.
