In the context of Know Your Neighbor, there are two passages from Romney's Faith in America speech worth noting:
I believe that every faith I have encountered draws its adherents closer to God. And in every faith I have come to know, there are features I wish were in my own: I love the profound ceremony of the Catholic Mass, the approachability of God in the prayers of the Evangelicals, the tenderness of spirit among the Pentecostals, the confident independence of the Lutherans, the ancient traditions of the Jews, unchanged through the ages, and the commitment to frequent prayer of the Muslims. As I travel across the country and see our towns and cities, I am always moved by the many houses of worship with their steeples, all pointing to heaven, reminding us of the source of life's blessings.
Do you remember Stendahl's Rules, three rules for dealing with and understanding other religions. Krister Stendahl, the man who crafted these rules, is the former Lutheran Bishop of Stockholm, emeritus dean of Harvard Divinity School, and a long-time friend of the Mormon church. Specifically, his third rule is: Leave room for "holy envy" -- meaning leave room for true admiration of something in another person's religious tradition.
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Recall the early days of the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, during the fall of 1774. With Boston occupied by British troops, there were rumors of imminent hostilities and fears of an impending war. In this time of peril, someone suggested that they pray. But there were objections. 'They were too divided in religious sentiments', what with Episcopalians and Quakers, Anabaptists and Congregationalists, Presbyterians and Catholics.
Then Sam Adams rose, and said he would hear a prayer from anyone of piety and good character, as long as they were a patriot.
And so together they prayed, and together they fought, and together, by the grace of God ... they founded this great nation.
Elder M. Russell Ballard has said, "For the most part, our neighbors want to make the world a better place, just like we do. They are kind and loving and generous and faithful, just like we seek to be." It was true 200 plus years ago, isn't it also true today?
Any passages that you'd highlight?
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