knowyourneighbor

The Five Minute Challenge

Kara Hess, community relations for St. Louis Missouri Stake Public Affairs, is on the advisory board of the Grace Baptist Church’s Teach Them to Fish program, designed to teach self-sufficiency to inner-city youth and families.

How did she learn about the organization?

I read about it in the newspaper.

Bishop Wallace called Reverend Scott of Central Baptist Church when their roof collapsed from a recent storm. He offered our ward building as a place of worship for the congregation until their building could be repaired. The Reverend had already accepted another invitation, but he expressed heartfelt gratitude for Bishop Wallace’s offer. And they discussed meeting to learn more about each other’s respective ministries.

How did Bishop Wallace know about Central Baptist’s disaster?

I read about it in the newspaper.

I am not boasting, but making a point. Reading the newspaper can be one of the easiest ways to learn about opportunities to enjoy the fellowship of our community.

Still, many Latter-day Saints tell me they resist reading the newspaper.

I hear two arguments:

1) “The newspaper reporting is biased and does not reflect my views.”

Yes, it may be. But I still find useful information about what is going on in the community and I become inspired about how Latter-day Saints can help.

And, as I learn the opinions and views of others I see another’s perspective, enabling me be a more effective servant and teacher.

Consider Ammon. He learned King Lamoni’s view of God - or the “Great Spirit”, as he says - and was able to build understanding based on the King’s experience. But Ammon first learned what the King already understood.

President Gordon B. Hinckley reads five newspapers each day. We have heard him, in conference talks, quote stories that he has read in the newspaper. 

Mike Wallace, reporter for 60 Minutes television news show, does not consider President Hinckley to be “stodgy”.  I interpret his remark as suggesting that for a man of many years, President Hinckley is not dull or stuck on the past, but knows current affairs and trends – in short, he’s “with it”. And this may be one reason why President Hinckley can relate to all ages and cultures.

Is it because he reads the newspaper?

I believe it can only help expand his capacity to serve.

2) “I don’t have time to read the newspaper.”

Neither do I.

So I don’t take much time. I take, most days, only 5 minutes. I scan the headlines and read what is of most interest to me and get a general feel for the top stories. I skip or skim the sports section – for lack of interest – but I pay attention if our local team is heading to the World Series.

When I saw the article about Central Baptist’s roof collapse, I read it. Then I made a quick call to Bishop Wallace who followed-up. It took only 5 minutes and the rest, as they say, is history.

If a story captures my interest and I don’t have time to read, I cut it out and stuff it in my purse for downtimes in my day, such as waiting in the doctor's office.

Reading the newspaper.

I was not always on board with that idea. But I am a convert now. If I do nothing else all day to enjoy the fellowship of my community, I at least read the newspaper.

Take the 5 minute challenge, if you haven’t already. Subscribe to the newspaper or read it online. You’ll be surprised how connected you will feel!

Catholics and Mormons on Common Ground

Is there really common ground to be found amongst the various religions?

Absolutely.

In the New York Times Magazine article Keeping the Faith, reporter Russell Shorto outlines Pope Benedict's central theme:

Secularism may be one of the great developments in history, but the secularism that holds sway in much of the West — that is, in Western Europe — is flawed; it has a bug in its programming. The mistaken conviction that reason and faith are two distinct realms has weakened Europe and has brought it to the verge of catastrophic collapse.

Note how similar the Pope's views are to President Faust's pronouncement in General Conference of October 2005.

Secularism is expanding in much of the world today. Secularism is defined as “indifference to or rejection or exclusion of religion and religious considerations.” Secularism does not accept many things as absolutes. Its principal objectives are pleasure and self-interest. Often those who embrace secularism have a different look about them. As Isaiah observed, “The show of their countenance doth witness against them.”

There may be only c. 13 million Mormons, but there are over 1 billion Catholics. Isn't it wonderful to know that "they that be with us" in stemming the tide of secularism are far more than we had supposed?

Kudos to these Californians

What a delight to read Bishop John Muir's words, "We're trying hard to reach out."

And those of President Dean Criddle, "Interfaith efforts...are an opportunity to find common ground."

Link: KRT Wire | 03/14/2007 | Mormons try to alter perceptions.

In the linked article, Brian Stein-Webber, director of the Interfaith Council in Contra Costa, says "They've [the Mormons] set themselves apart, and they have been set apart." This is a remark that unfortunately could be made by many people in many cities throughout the world, especially the United States.

So to read of members of the church in the Oakland Stake seeking not to set themselves apart, but to find common ground, and to participate in the community, by working with other faith groups -- whether building schools in Afghanistan or Habitat for Humanity homes locally -- this is very positive and is truly the spirit of Ammon!

What is your ward or stake doing to build bridges locally?

Who can you partner with to do good?

Leaven in the lump

As my kids and I drove to play practice for Savior of the World, I was reviewing the words (cramming really) of "Come, Deliver Us", a song in which the Israelites plead for the Messiah to come and free them from their oppressors. An excerpt from this jaunty march follows:

He will come, His sword aloft and blazing, resplendent and amazing, He will come deliver us.

As the play unfolds, Mary learns, and wonders at the irony of the Messiah coming, not "with his sword aloft and blazing" but "as a stranger, an infant in a humble place".

And that's when the musing began.

I wonder if, as we have the Sunday School discussion about the Israelites, I have been a bit smug, my line of thinking going something like: "Those Israelites -- they just didn't get it, did they? Maybe they should have read the prophecies a little more closely. Certainly, I wouldn't have misjudged the situation had I been there."

And then I realized I AM there.

Different time, different place.

But when I say things like "he's not a Mormon, but..." as if we as Mormons have the corner on the market when it comes to truth and to goodness, I am exactly where the Israelites were.

And I don't like this picture of myself, or of us as a people, much.

So how do I (we) get from the "mightiness and power" mindset to the "humble place?"

For your consideration and mine, below is a quote from Richard Bushman's On the Road with Joseph Smith: An Author's Diary which he kept as Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling came off the press.

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.

Our covenant with God is to bless the people of the earth.

If that truly were our motto, would we think differently? Would we behave differently? Would we act differently?

What are your thoughts?

Talk is not cheap

If you haven't yet attended an event in which Rev. Greg Johnson, an evangelical minister, and Dr. Robert Millett, a religion professor at Brigham Young University, model how to have an interfaith conversation, and more importantly, an inter-faith friendship, then you absolutely must -- as soon as possible.

Link: deseretnews.com | Program sparks religious chats.

I had the opportunity of attending one of their public dialogs in 2004; my mindset, and conversations, haven't been the same since. See Common Ground.

New Convert?

“For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore , I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.” Moroni 7:16

I met a sister, I’ll call her Tina. She found Christ two years ago while reading the Bible and it changed her life. Tina’s destructive habits melted away as her life was transformed by the power of the Atonement in a singular and most profound way.

To further her spiritual education and draw her closer to Christ, Tina found a church to attend. Not ours. As she continued her journey of faith she met Latter-day Saint missionaries. They shared with her restored truths she had not considered before. Her faith was strengthened and she chose to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Tina shared with me that she was puzzled by the term “new convert.”  She said, “I had to ask the missionaries what that term means. I am not a new convert. I found Christ two years ago. I have added to my faith by joining the Church.”

I have been thinking on Tina’s puzzlement. It does come off as self-righteous, even if not intended, to label someone a “new convert.” In reality each person’s life has been touched by the light of Christ, even if they can’t identify that light as being from Christ. Every person who joins the Church is prepared by Christ’s light.

Do we consider that the light of Christ in others’ lives has the power to change fellow sojourners in a profound way-- even ways as profound as the truths of the restored gospel? Might we consider the “new convert” as a “new friend” or “new member” to validate the truth she/he already knows?

Do you see examples of how the light of Christ is working to bless the lives of your neighbors?

We're not great missionaries. but...

Public affairs and missionary work are two sides of the same coin. Elder Clayton M. Christensen

When Heston Chipman bore his testimony last week, he expressed gratitude for the neighbors and friends who had attended his oldest daughter Talbot’s baptism. Seven neighbor families in total came, not because they wanted to know about our church but because they love Talbot, their darling 8-year-old neighbor, her four younger sisters, and their parents.

When I asked Lee, Talbot’s mom, to tell me about their guests, she said, “They are all our neighbors, people we see at the bus stop twice a day, that our kids go to school and play with, and who we see numerous evenings each week as our families have skating lessons or other activities together. They are the ones who cared for our kids when I went to Canada to take care of my mom; they are our friends.”

Hearing Lee speak so lovingly of her neighbors made Heston’s comment the prior Sunday all the more ironic – which was “we’re not great missionaries, but we are great neighbors.”

To Heston, Lee, Talbot, Ashtyn, McKinlay, Quincy and Emery --

You have found common ground beyond religion: you all want to be good parents; you all want to make your community a better place.

Your friends came to the baptism because they love you, and because they know you love them – no religion strings attached.

If inviting your neighbors into your home and hearts isn’t missionary work, what is?

It's Terrific to Be Specific

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) said, “Every truth found in every church in all the world we believe. But we also say this to all men—Come and take the added light and truth that God has restored in our day” (see Russell M. Nelson, “Teach Us Tolerance and Love,” Ensign, May 1994, 70)

When sharing my testimony I used to say that our Church is the “only true Church.”  I don’t say that anymore. Not because it isn’t true, but because it doesn’t help promote understanding.

I have a friend who said she would not join our Church because she believed we didn’t value the truth in other churches. She cited our rhetoric “only true Church” as alienating a whole group of very good people. She didn’t want to be part of a culture she perceived as narrow-minded and insensitive, even though she recognized the good the church does in my life and others. She had many LDS friends, but the rhetoric bothered her because it was not the language she expected from followers of Christ. This language was clearly a barrier to her investigating the Church further.

Some friends tell me that when we say “only true Church” it makes them feel 1) that we don’t believe any other church but ours has truth; or 2) that others not of our faith are not true believers in Christ. Neither is accurate. 

We can be cavalier and say, “Well the statement is true, therefore it is OK to say. Some will be offended by the truth, right? Don’t the scriptures tell us that?”  Let’s be clear: a statement, while being true or correct, may not promote understanding. It does matter how we say it.  It takes real caring and sensitivity to consider how someone else receives our message.

So how do we say what we mean? I once heard an English teacher say: “It’s terrific to be specific.”

I tried this. A woman asked me if we believe we have a monopoly on truth, if we believed we were the only true church. I said, “No, we don’t believe we have a monopoly on truth.  We believe all churches have truth. What we do is invite you to see if we can add to the truth you already know.”  She said, “I like that.”  By being specific and to the point, I was able to validate the truth between us and find common ground. As a result our conversation continued with warmth and understanding; there was no barrier as we shared our deepest convictions with each other.

In what ways can you share how the restored gospel has made a difference in your life? How has it brought you close to Christ?  How has it helped you understand His atoning sacrifice?  Can you relate how your life is influenced by living prophets and the restored ordinances of the gospel? Think about how you can share your most cherished beliefs, the truths you know, in order to be better understood.

Remember: it’s terrific to be specific!

Launching Ground

“My brethren, be of good cheer and let us go in search of the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring them back unto the place of water; and thus we will preserve the flocks unto the king and he will not slay us.” Alma 17:31

I like to think of common ground as a “launching ground” probably because I like action more than talk.  I find that building relations by projects--rallying around a cause--is an effective way to build mutual respect, especially among those groups that typically find it hard to move past differences. When groups work together focusing on a cause they often develop mutual respect and understanding.

Ammon did this. He focused on a community cause. He didn’t first engage the King or the people in lengthy dialogues, but instead got moving. He rallied others around a grand cause which led to mutual respect and trust among groups who were previously hostile.

Launching ground is the place we acknowledge our differences, but also acknowledge that the work--the cause--is too big to do by ourselves or by one group alone. Launching ground is the place where we don’t try to convince the other they are wrong, but rather the place where we find a way to work together. It’s the place where we get moving.

Many community groups have found common ground when they have come together to strengthen families. Diane Mack started Family Week in Blue Springs, Missouri. Now she finds herself working with other faiths that traditionally have used their differences as barriers. Diane, a Latter-day Saint, has been invited to many churches to speak about family home evening.  As a result, several groups have adopted Monday night as family night. A modern-day Ammon, Diane Mack has rallied the community to help families.

Strengthening families in our communities. Now there is a big idea to launch! And an effective place to find common ground because many people and groups want to rally around that big idea.

Can you, your ward, or stake partner with the YMCA, the PTO, the city council, or the Rotary Club to launch Family Week or Family Night?

Getting started is as simple as finding one partner. Diane Mack started with her PTO. Each year the effort grew as new partners came on board. Today Family Week in Blue Springs is supported by a wide range of community groups.

Learn more about Family Week at these links:

Blue Spring’s Family Week:

http://www.familyweek.info/

Diane Mack, Family Week leader:

http://www.bluespringsgov.com/Default%20Page%20Links/2002_Citizen_of_the_Year.htm

Rotary Club and their involvement in Family Week:

http://www.meridianmagazine.com/articles/050609empower.html

http://www.meridianmagazine.com/articles/050610empower.html

National Family Week web site offers guidelines and resources. They recommend November for Family Week, but the event can be held at any time that is right for your community.

http://www.nationalfamilyweek.org/

More about launching Family Strengthening initiatives:

http://www.meridianmagazine.com/familyconnections/030606change.html

See also your stake’s public affairs council and the public affairs Training Guild for additional tips and support.

Giving a face to our faith

Relationships create the environments that allow humans to extend their circles of caring. Mary Pipher

One of my friends (I'll call her Emily) told me of a recent conversation with one of her dearest friends (I'll call her Thea). Emily and Thea's daughters, both eight-years-old, became fast friends while in kindergarten, and their mothers soon followed suit. Thea, originally from northern Europe, had been an exchange student in New England some years ago. Now married to a fellow European, and having settled in New England, she remains in contact with her host family parents whom she affectionately refers to as mom and dad.

As Emily and Thea have grown closer over the years they have often spoken of religion; Emily is LDS and Thea is Catholic. Through their friendship, they have shared their beliefs with one another. Thea attended Emily's daughter's baptism, bringing her roses to celebrate the occasion, and in turn Emily attended Thea's daughter's first communion.

At Christmastime, Thea's family was visiting her host family, and as conversations often do, theirs turned to politics and the possible presidential contenders. As Thea and her mother spoke of the possible candidates, her mom commented, "Mitt Romney's a Mormon. Mormons are so weird. How could he even think of running?"

The purpose of this blog is not to promote presidential candidates, but to speak of the positive ramifications of extending ourselves beyond the comfort of our Mormon faith. Which in the case of Thea and Emily was at least two-fold. Not only have Thea and Emily and their daughters developed friendships that make the world feel a safer place, when the LDS church was innocently maligned, Thea immediately came to its defense, telling her host mother that Mormons are good people, not weird at all.

And yes there's more.

Several weeks after Thea's Christmas visit, her host mother called her, and shared that she had recently read an article in the press which explained what Mormons believe; she had learned that we not only have a strong focus on the family, we are also Christians.

Her mom ended by saying, "Maybe I could vote for a Mormon after all."

What can we learn from Thea and Emily's story?

1. Emily and Thea became friends because they were able to find common ground, which was initially that their daughters were friends. While Emily did share a Book of Mormon with Thea at one point, when Thea and her husband chose not to learn more, nothing changed in their friendship. Their love and respect for one another extends to supporting one another in their respective religious traditions.

2. If people don't have a point of reference in real experience, the discussion about our faith is academic, even clinical, and more likely than not our detractors will have the final word.

3. If these same individuals can put a face to our faith, especially as a result of true friendship which involves inviting one another into our homes and hearts - our friends will come to our defense when our faith is vilified, because the discussion is no longer academic, it's personal.

4. While the low-touch approach of generating positive press about our faith is certainly important, the high-touch approach is crucial, as we saw in Emily and Thea's experience. For a more in-depth discussion on the high-touch approach, see The Spirit of Ammon.