A call to arms...and hands

The Lord's work is too vast, too arduous for any one people; God is indeed using more than one people for the accomplishment of His great and marvelous work. Orson F. Whitney

I just can't get this next piece of news off my mind.

The Church's Chief Information Officer (CIO), Joel Dehlin, recently started blogging see www.ldscio.org. Because of the Church's committment to identifying and developing technologies that will further the work of God, Brother Dehlin's stated purpose of the blog is "to have a gathering place for techies who want to understand more about the church's technology."

While it is true that Bro. Dehlin's blog is under the auspices of the church, and KYN-The Back Porch isn't, wouldn't it be terrific if this blog could become one of a number of forums in which we share ideas related to finding common ground with our communities, whether on a personal or institutional basis?

Since launching the Know Your Neighbor website, I have come in contact with many people who are trying to build bridges and to find common ground.

You are doing amazing things.

And I want to know more.

I want to know more about you, to share with you, to support you as we partner with the many people throughout the world that want to do good and be good just like we do.

So, tell me. Tell all of our community, more.

What concerns do you have about bridge-building and finding common ground?

What are you doing individually to build bridges? As a family? As an institution?

Comments

[Julie Echols]

Great post and site. It is difficult for me to put into words how I feel about bridge building and reaching out to our fellow brothers and sisters around the globe and around the corner. I could sum it up by saying that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love our neighbors. Interesting that THOSE are the two most important commandments. How do we love our neighbors? I think it begins with knowing them, befriending them, understanding their needs, hopes, dreams, etc... There is great value in developing relationships with neighbors--especially those that we might view as "too different". The Lord didn't say to love those who fit into your socio-economic bracket, or love those who are only of your race, or only love those who believe exactly the same as you... We are simply called to love.

Personally, my life has been enriched and my faith has been strengthened by getting to know (and love) friends of other faiths and friends who are atheist or agnostic. As an individual, I seek to (as much as time allows) attend events that take me out of my routine. Because I live in a predominantly white, Christian suburb, this takes some effort. But, I have found that as I travel to new and different places, my heart is expanded, my mind is opened, and I have a deeper appreciation for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Honoring others beliefs and values has never diminished my own. I struggle at times with how to help my family have more diverse experiences... we reach out to those in our neighborhood, but I need to do more. I will watch with interest as your blog develops and your site continues to grow. Keep up the good work!