Boston Globe's Paulson Reflects on Religion

For those of you that haven't seen Pulitzer-prize winning Paulson's year-end review of religion, there are two things of note:

1)  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was identified properly, and separately.  It's been a tough year for Mormons, but thanks to the press, the media is now more likely to get our name right.  I would encourage you to drop Mr. Paulson a line at [email protected] to say thank-you.

2)  More importantly, in scanning the list of topics that Paulson plans to cover in 2009, you'll note that nearly every religion is facing monumental challenges, from the Catholic Church's struggle to bring all its parishioners into the tent, to the mainline Protestants' disagreements about homosexuality, to the Jewish community's betrayal by one of their own, Bernard Madoff.  It is not always going to be the case that our religious brethren and sisters want to work with us, but sometimes they will.  When we recognize they face tremendous difficulties just like we do, we may also be more willing to reach out.

There is so much more that binds us than separates us.

May I again share with you the words of Richard Bushman from his book On the Road with Joseph Smith:  An Author's Diary?  I don't know that any of us could have predicted that Bushman's words would be so true so quickly.

They are as follows: 

February 6, 2006 -- I wrote to Elder Holland about a rough patch ahead as animosity to religion keeps growing.  I am coming to envision a new persona for the Church as humble followers of Jesus Christ.  Instead of speaking triumphantly of the Gospel sweeping the earth, could we think of ourselves instead as the leaven in the lump, standing for righteousnesss and serving others?

I wish we had a long record of kindness and friendship to fall back on, with less stress on proselyting.  Then when the storms break around us, we would have friends to turn to.  Our covenant with God is to bless the people of the earth.  That should be our motto.

Establishing Zion does not mean sweeping vast masses of people on to our membership records but creating a people of God dedicated to blessing others.  Joseph and his early followers came forth with lots of triumphalist rhetoric, but I think we need a new voice, one of humility, friendship, and service.

Who will we make friends with in 2009?