We, as committed Latter-day Saints, are just as mortal as everyone else on the planet. We are prone to fear, codependency, doubt, worry, sin, and all the other beliefs and behaviors that lead to addiction and compulsion. When we find ourselves in these negative states, we are just as quick to turn to the material things of this world for cure or comfort as anyone.
Most of us don’t really want to be a peculiar people. We don’t want to be thought of as different, as too conservative, as weird.
And we really don’t want others to know we have problems. We fear that honesty about our weaknesses will detract from and undermine the message and the image of the Church.
Let it go.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, is true—even when we are unable to live its truth perfectly. We, as a group and individually, are well-intentioned, but fallible men and women. All of us—from the newly converted to the General Authorities, and even the prophet, himself.
We need to be honest about our weaknesses for two very important reasons:
1. Our honesty allows other imperfect mortals to find a place of fellowship and acceptance in our midst. It shouts to the world that though we are imperfect people, we love God and trust in His atonement—and they can, too.
2. Our honesty allows us to come clean before God, and with appropriate others, so that we may clear the slate and move forward with a clean conscience and renewed determination to follow Christ.
It is only in and through this honesty about our weaknesses, to ourselves and to the world, that we can come unto Christ and fully receive the comfort and healing balm He offers to all.
~Colleen H.
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