THANK YOU!!! You have literally answered my prayers. I have to teach this lesson in GD class this Sunday. This is my first lesson and I've only been in our little branch for a month. I have been struggling with what to say when I know so many of the sisters and brothers in this branch are from part member families. Your comment has given be the perspective I need to frame my lesson. I pray that God will continue to bless you for your willingness to share your thoughts and feelings BUT I mostly pray with all of my heart that the rest of us will listen to people when comments are made in classes that don't fit our narrow experiences and that we will be able to validate the sharer's feelings and receive those comments and experiences without judgment. Being of "one heart" or Zion does not require us to be of one experience! There is room in God's kingdom for all, and I mean ALL, who will receive Him. Thank you again, sister. God bless you for taking the risk to share.
One of "Those Sisters"August 20, 2013
Thank you John Pacific. I am one of those who wish with all her heart that I could be sealed to my spouse. When I mentioned this in our Sunday School class I had to then listen to all the patronizing words of "be paitient, in the Lords time, this is your trial, and all the other things I know so well. I don't need to hear those things again. I need to have my feelings validated. I need to be accepted instead of feeling like I have a "Scarlet Letter" on my chest because I was not good enough or rightous enough to have a Temple marriage. I am so happy for all the "Sealed" couples, but honestly, sometimes they make it very hard and uncomfortable on those of us who each week, leave those we love at home and come to Church alone because we love the Lord above all. I know paitience, we are intimately acquainted. I live on Faith and wait for the Lords time. But when you see me sitting alone, please have commpassion, not pity, and invite me to share in your familys embrace. My arms ache to hold my dear grandchildren at church. It would bring me immence joy to hold yours there. Don't make me beg for home teachers, my home needs the priesthood, and your visits are the only times the Priesthood is there. I know it is easy to visit the homes of the active members, but my home is starving for what you bring. Instead of putting on your "Mister Fix it" hats and tell me all I need to do. (As if I haven't already done all I could) come and meet my husband and be a friend to him. That will help me much more then telling me, "If he doesn't want you in the next life, there will be plenty of other men that will." Yes I have been told that.
John PacificAugust 7, 2013
As a gospel doctrine teacher I appreciate your message. One area that will come up is that there are many members who I teach that are married to non members (part member families). We need to focus attention on this more than your message provides. I appreciate your brief comment on this, but there is a need for more. I have been a Bishop 3 times and the consent sadness is those who come to me who are part member families and wish they were sealed. I will focus a lot of my remarks on those blessings that will be theirs who are faithful. Also, discuss the importance of finding the right partner, along with blessings of the sealing. Thanks again.
TY RADLEYJuly 29, 2013
THANKS FOR THE EXPLANATIONS OF THIS LESSON, WELL DONE!! I HAVE THE HONOR TO TEACH GOSPEL DOCTRINE IN MY WARD, SO I DO APPRECIATE THE HELP!! REGARDS, TY RADLEY
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Up in the Great White NorthSeptember 6, 2013
THANK YOU!!! You have literally answered my prayers. I have to teach this lesson in GD class this Sunday. This is my first lesson and I've only been in our little branch for a month. I have been struggling with what to say when I know so many of the sisters and brothers in this branch are from part member families. Your comment has given be the perspective I need to frame my lesson. I pray that God will continue to bless you for your willingness to share your thoughts and feelings BUT I mostly pray with all of my heart that the rest of us will listen to people when comments are made in classes that don't fit our narrow experiences and that we will be able to validate the sharer's feelings and receive those comments and experiences without judgment. Being of "one heart" or Zion does not require us to be of one experience! There is room in God's kingdom for all, and I mean ALL, who will receive Him. Thank you again, sister. God bless you for taking the risk to share.
One of "Those Sisters"August 20, 2013
Thank you John Pacific. I am one of those who wish with all her heart that I could be sealed to my spouse. When I mentioned this in our Sunday School class I had to then listen to all the patronizing words of "be paitient, in the Lords time, this is your trial, and all the other things I know so well. I don't need to hear those things again. I need to have my feelings validated. I need to be accepted instead of feeling like I have a "Scarlet Letter" on my chest because I was not good enough or rightous enough to have a Temple marriage. I am so happy for all the "Sealed" couples, but honestly, sometimes they make it very hard and uncomfortable on those of us who each week, leave those we love at home and come to Church alone because we love the Lord above all. I know paitience, we are intimately acquainted. I live on Faith and wait for the Lords time. But when you see me sitting alone, please have commpassion, not pity, and invite me to share in your familys embrace. My arms ache to hold my dear grandchildren at church. It would bring me immence joy to hold yours there. Don't make me beg for home teachers, my home needs the priesthood, and your visits are the only times the Priesthood is there. I know it is easy to visit the homes of the active members, but my home is starving for what you bring. Instead of putting on your "Mister Fix it" hats and tell me all I need to do. (As if I haven't already done all I could) come and meet my husband and be a friend to him. That will help me much more then telling me, "If he doesn't want you in the next life, there will be plenty of other men that will." Yes I have been told that.
John PacificAugust 7, 2013
As a gospel doctrine teacher I appreciate your message. One area that will come up is that there are many members who I teach that are married to non members (part member families). We need to focus attention on this more than your message provides. I appreciate your brief comment on this, but there is a need for more. I have been a Bishop 3 times and the consent sadness is those who come to me who are part member families and wish they were sealed. I will focus a lot of my remarks on those blessings that will be theirs who are faithful. Also, discuss the importance of finding the right partner, along with blessings of the sealing. Thanks again.
TY RADLEYJuly 29, 2013
THANKS FOR THE EXPLANATIONS OF THIS LESSON, WELL DONE!! I HAVE THE HONOR TO TEACH GOSPEL DOCTRINE IN MY WARD, SO I DO APPRECIATE THE HELP!! REGARDS, TY RADLEY
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