Comments on: Ask a Mormon Woman: What is the symbol of the Mormon faith?

By: jendoop

jendoop — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:32:39 +0000

Thanks — what a great post!

I can’t imagine being in the same congregation my whole life, we’ve moved around so much. How great it would be to witness how lives change and faith is strengthened over the years.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 06:39:57 +0000

I appreciated this piece, Brenda. It’s a reminder of our responsibility to bear the Savior’s name and try to be like Him. And I could share story after story as you have here. There are so many ways in which the people around me have helped carry my burdens, have been instruments in God’s hands for good, have lifted my spirit through words of faith and truth.

Even as we are imperfect — and we ARE imperfect — I see time and time again that when people are earnestly striving to be true to their faith, there is more good than not. As I look at my whole experience, including some bad experiences, the net result is overwhelmingly good.

There is, for me, an addendum to this — that even for all the good, the Church and its truthfulness ultimately transcends the humans who are members of it. So for any (whether a member of our faith or not) who have had negative experiences with individuals in the Church, I hope you won’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

At the times when someone has done something that has been hurtful, I remind myself that I’m here because of the truths we are taught and the convictions I have of them. For all that we hope we as a people can be a symbol of our faith, sometimes individuals will falter and fail in that charge. But that doesn’t change the core of the message, and that is my true anchor.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:45:30 +0000

I love your insights on this. A poignant reminder!

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:26:41 +0000

I remember staying the night at a friend’s house (who was not a member of our church) who asked me that very question. I was puzzled then and asked my dad when I got home. His explanation was nearly identical to President Hinckley’s. I have often thought about the Living Christ and what he would have us do to represent him.
I love the scripture you quoted: “By this shall man know, ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another.”
It’s as though Christ wanted to address the symbol of our faith, too.

Thanks for sharing this and reminding me to be ever watchful of my contribution.