I recently had a friend who used to be a a member of our church tell me how surprised she was find out that I had family members who were like her, and not practicing the Mormon faith anymore. I asked her why she found that surprising and she said that when she went to church (she joined as an adult) she just assumed that everyone led these perfect lives and had these perfect families and no one ever did anything wrong. This perception made her feel bad about herself and her own life and made her feel like an outsider. That she would never measure up, and so she stopped coming.
I assured her that my family situation was indeed more the rule than the exception. In fact, the only family I know that does have a passel of spit polished and shiny children are my in-laws. Now that said, they are a rowdy and weird bunch and are the first to admit to being a little more than strange. Heaven help anyone unfortunate enough to be stuck next to a cabin with us in Yellowstone!
So the myth that I am disputing is that you have to be perfect to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
You don't. In fact none of us are. If we were, we sure wouldn't need church. Sure we look perfect on Sunday. Our boys in suits. Bows in our girls hair. Women in dresses on the arm of a husband in the latest suit from JC Penny's... But for me that perfect look is not to put on airs or to show off, it is to out of respect and reverence for the Lord and for the Sabbath that I dress up. I finally understand why my dad wouldn't let me wear a denim skirt to church or why flip flops are not appropriate footwear. We dress our best out of respect and love for our Heavenly Father. Case closed.
But that love for our Heavenly Father is returned to us ever so much more. He gave us a Savior who takes our imperfections and makes us whole. Through Jesus Christ we are given hope and love and such a bright outlook on all of eternity that we positively glow with it, thus making our Sunday best shine all the brighter.
The Moncur Fam
September 2006 look for a new one this summer
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6 comments:
So true! thanks, Nicole.
What a sweet post. It's very true. Although my ward is the most irreverent ward in the church, so we may scare people off for different reasons :)
Well said.
Agreed. We must have the same in-laws. :)
LOL! Indeed we are not perfect. My girls won't have bows and maybe my boys will have suitpants to go with their button up shirts and clip on ties. I'm still working on a suit for hubs - more of khaki pants kind of guy he is. Once he grew out of his mission suit - which took YEARS mind you - he was pretty much done with suits.
If you are joining the church for the people you are joining for the wrong reasons.
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