STAND UP

it's well past my bedtime but im up..

sick to my stomach

and once again cant shake the feeling and need to get my words

onto paper and HOPE AND PRAY that someone

along their way 

stops.

reads them.

and is somehow POSITIVELY influenced by what I have to say

yup.

if you have anything more advanced than a flip phone 

you've seen it

BIG NEWS for the LDS Church

BIG NEWS (with a horrible misleading title)

posted all over your facebook page that even before opening
the article sets a negative tone

I wont go into too great of detail or doctrine of what the church has announced

that is a post for another day..

but for now I want the world to know

god loves his children

every.single.one of them

let. it. be. clear.

that just because we don't accept the practices

does not mean we do not accept the parents.

we.. as LDS members believe the family
to be the most precious and important thing 


so precious that the brethren have made what I
feel to be an incredibly INSPIRED and considerate decision



a decision that helps prevent any tension
disownment or problems that may arise within the homes
of those whose parents may practice or believe
things contradictory to the church's teachings.



The Church has made this decision 

to PROTECT the family

not tear them apart. 



this is nothing new.


there are many similar situations I encountered on my mission where

muslims. spouses and children all must
obtain special permission from a leader of the church
or their family before entering the waters of baptism.



to prevent tension



to protect the individual



to PROTECT the family


this.. this is no different

 the church hopes to help children find balance and a clear understanding

to make the decision right for themselves when the time
comes and to prevent any confusion and insecurities that
may arise when they are taught one thing at home and another
in sunday school






the hate.

the name calling.

the misunderstanding.


the "unchristlike" accusations

are only the beginning of what is
breaking my heart today

---------------------------

BUT

i'm reacting and posting to voice a different concern I am seeing

all over my facebook wall today

posts from fellow members

former missionaries

soon to be missionaries

relief society presidents

members of our church who announce they are:

logging off.

shutting down.

taking a facebook fast for a while.

looking away

thats one way to handle difficult situations i suppose

but not how i will

 other people right now are doing what the world does best

they are reading

reacting

posting

sharing

spreading

hating

reposting

one day its the death of a lion

and the next day its something new

i honestly cant keep up with what we hate today

but TODAY 

RIGHT NOW

its the mormon church

its your.. faith

if not your faith then its probably some of YOUR FRIENDS

i know its tough

NOONE likes to read such hurtful things

no one wants their words to spark an argument

NOONE wants to offend or say the wrong thing

i pray that people out there will

""    pause before you post. 

think before you share

pray before you judge. 

no matter who you are or what you believe. ""

i have faith in my god and in his teachings

i know that he has a plan.. muuuuuch greater and muuuuch

more divinely inspired than ill ever understand

of most importance today i hope that we will

STAND UP

not look away when times get tough

when that spotlight gets a little brighter

when those words read a little harsher 

when those commandments become a bit more difficult

to defend and the words just don't seem to come

for all the negative. the hate and the hurt on your feed.

i challenge you

spread love

DEFEND YOUR BELIEFS

do not cower. 

do not fear.

** be aware that **

there is a difference in

battling

and defending the truth

kindly.

patiently

and lovingly.

to my friends that are directly affected by this

announcement

i love you.. 

i love you and i also know that god loves you.

that. will never change. it hasnt. and it will not

if anything.. thats all i want you to know

and to remember as you scroll through your feed today.

its that simple. 



no matter who you are or WHAT you believe


hate. arguing.
and name calling to me

is most definitely not christlike



don't believe in god?


then be a kind.

uplifting

and positive person




the world is full of enough hate

put down your stones

but most importantly


STAND UP for your beliefs


and


STAND UP for your friends

whoever they may be