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While personal moments with the spirit don’t change with the years, our church life out in the public certainly has transformed with the times. Who would have imagined the multitude of venues where we can interact with those near and far, share our faith and circulate our thoughts and questions. The Church seems to have chosen an “if you can’t beat them, join them” approach to social media and the internet. Despite the dangers present online, leaders have encouraged us to get visible and vocal on the internet and put ourselves out there to the world as members of the church.
Amid all the expressions of faith and confidence showered on the online world, I’ve observed an ever increasing public offering from individuals airing their discontent and feelings of being disenfranchised with the religion of their childhood. It is likely less a sign that people are slipping away in record numbers, but more that publicized concerns and doubts are finding an easy and visible forum.
The trend has concerned me. Some are finding it hard to fit in at Church, feeling judged, feeling alone in the crowd. I’m sure I’m a part of the problem (along with every other Church member) for not doing as much as I could to welcome, friendship and nurture the new member, the struggling youth, the single mother, or the divorced dad. Yet something seems to be forgotten about why we individually come to church in the first place, and what fellowship in the fold offers that can’t be found in isolation elsewhere.
I find great satisfaction and comfort in entering my house of worship and sitting with other disciples of Christ. Partaking of the Lord’s sacrament and learning of Him in a setting of minimal distraction (other than restless kids) helps me to re-energize and re-focus my life and my commitments. My family is strengthened by the experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world; certainly not for a morning to sleep in, a little extra income, or a day at the lake (and I’m sure statistically the best boating days land on Sundays).
In recent conferences it has appeared that church leaders have been especially concerned for those who have “fallen out of love” with the church experience. Numerous talks have addressed how to approach doubts and questions. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught that being genuine would enhance our worship and our interactions with others at church. He warned of “Potemkin villages”1 – the tendency to present ourselves as better than we really are, teaching us that being our true selves does much more for real self esteem and progress.
We all know the feeling of looking around the chapel wondering how everyone else seems to do it so much better than us. The mother sees other moms enter with children in tow – hair combed, arms folded, shirts tucked in. The dad hears of the home teaching excellence and work promotions from others in his quorum. The youth wonders how someone else could be so very popular, and so free of sin and temptation.
We’re human and we’ve all compared our worst to someone else’s best. Elder Uchtdorf reminded us of why we should keep on showing up to church week after week, “The Church is not an automobile showroom—a place to put ourselves on display so that others can admire our spirituality, capacity, or prosperity. It is more like a service center, where vehicles in need of repair come for maintenance and rehabilitation. And are we not, all of us, in need of repair, maintenance, and rehabilitation?” 1
This thought has struck a chord with members around the world, reminding us of why we come together. He next said something so simple but so profound:
“We come to church not to hide our problems but to heal them.”
As an LDS songwriter I feel passionate about reaching out where there’s a need and strengthening others through word and music. This quote inspired the song “Place of Healing”. Hopefully the song will spark a warm memory or inspire a new commitment to not waste what the Lord has provided in such abundance.
PLACE OF HEALING
Sunday morning, Sunday best
Always trying to impress
Fighting feelings that I’ll never be enough
Perfect people waiting there
It’s so easy to compare
All the many ways I don’t measure up
Then I hear those words and sing those songs
And I’m reminded that I’m right where I belong
There is so much more to me
Than just what others choose to see
I’m not here to hide what I carry inside
I come before him bruised and broken
Bow my head with words unspoken
He knows my heart and what I need
That’s why I come to this place of healing
Humbly thirsting for his will
I come here yearning to be filled
Looking for the peace that’s only found in him
We weren’t meant to be alone
To try and do this on our own
What we really need – a chance to start again
Though the world may never understand
In this place I know who I am
Chorus
Every one of us, different scars, different sins
We bring our problems not to hide them, but to heal them
Chorus
That warm encompassing feeling of worshiping the Savior in the place where he has invited us to gather can be forgotten, but how wonderful it is when it is remembered again. Inside the walls of the church is a place of shelter, a safe harbor. The friendly smiles, the songs of praise, the frequent and sincere prayers, the moments of realization, are all such a great shame to be missed and such a good thing to come back to.
In the final chapters of the Book of Mormon Moroni reminded us of why we gather to worship together; “And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.” 3
The church experience is for all of us. Let’s not take it for granted for ourselves, and let’s not do anything to cause someone else to pass up that opportunity. The Lord wants us there, not because we are righteous but specifically because we have all fallen short and need to be repeatedly blessed by his wonderful “Place of Healing”.
Wayne Burton
Well known song writers and musical arrangers, Wayne Burton and Tyler Castleton are the creators of the brand new album “By the Voice of My Servants: Songs Inspired by the Messages of General Conference” released to LDS bookstores and iTunes just in time for our spring conference. The album features 10 new songs tied to well known talks and quotes, and 10 favorite singers performing them. Visit www.bythevoiceofmyservants.com
Tyler Castleton is known for his production work with many well known artists including Hilary Weeks, Beyond 5, and his well known EFY albums. His songs are some of the most known in the church. Wayne Burton has six solo albums and has written many award winning songs including a first place finish in the LDS church’s annual world-wide song submission. He also received the Pearl Award for LDS male artist of the year.
1 “On Being Genuine” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf, General Conference April 2015
- Meme source – found at www.lds.org
- Moroni 6:5-6
Glen M. DanielsenApril 26, 2016
Well, you two mention that there is a "trend," that many are feeling disenfranchised in the Church. I wonder though if there comes a time when people need to make a choice for themselves. Those who have lived their religion and feel the result -- the Fire of the Covenant burning in them -- and they begin to live outward, to see what they can give. And lo, they find that "you get what you give." We can do only so much with those who insist on forever being recipients of Emotional Welfare. I love Eliza R. Snow's words: "Think not when you gather to Zion, The saints here have nothing to do But to look to your personal welfare, And always be comforting you." Yah, we must be cautious to avoid wearing self-righteous presence at church, but maybe we can keep in mind that there are two sides to this story, you guys.
Sara Lyn BarilApril 26, 2016
Great article you two. Great song as well! I used to wonder what held people back from going to church, especially when they know this gospel is true. I think for many it includes the idea that it's the Church of the Perfect People and they don't feel that they fit in. I tell my children often that our journey to our Savior and home to our Father in Heaven is a path that doesn't cross with anyone else's, however we must continually reach out to others in love and never with judgment. It's an independent and personal journey for each of us. When that concept sinks in, we come to church with the knowledge that we are there to fill our spiritual buckets and then to allow the "love Jesus offers us" to spill over as bless and serve others in helping them fill theirs. Church just does that. One of the greatest truths that helps me not to compare my circumstances with others is that we all have trials, sorrows, challenges and sins. Keeping that in mind, it becomes a pleasure to attend church and rub shoulders with people who are all there for the same reasons....to heal and to become whole over time through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need the Church - but of equal importance, the Church needs each of us!