LDS Church: Patience in the Restoration

Perspective is everything.

I remember exactly when I experienced the Internet in 1996.  Just a little over 20 years ago...it went from floppy disks, to CDs, to straight up internet communication and continues to evolve today--we're all just waiting for the next big development in technology, right? The tech world makes sure that we don't get too comfortable with our devices, processes and applications by introducing new products all the time.  We not only look forward to it, we count on it, am I right?

The topic today is patience in the ever-evolving LDS Church.
If you're a member of the Church, you probably know someone who is struggling to stay active, or stay at all.  There's a tide of members flowing out of the pews ever-so-quietly.  It's come up in conversations with my family and friends...we wonder what can be said or done to help our members "stay in the boat" with us as we sail through this difficult sea of emotional, turbulent times.

At church Sunday this topic came up...why people leave.  One comment was a simple, "they don't have good habits of prayer and scripture study". And it's true that someone who's living the gospel daily is much less likely to exit, there are also those who are looking for reason to leave due to transgressions such as sin or pride. Still, I offered that  in my experience, we don't always know why people leave--so it's important not to judge hastily--because some people who withdraw from their faith are usually in pain and cannot find relief.  It might be emotional or temporal pain, or it could be intellectual pain--where they're trying to reconcile what they feel they know with the teachings of the gospel. I've seen this more recently, as people confide in me their personal struggles. They're not rebelling, they're searching for answers.

I've had my own experience with withdrawing from activity in the church--while going through a horrid divorce, I lost my way. Some members who knew nothing of the abuse were harsh and cold towards me, and left me feeling like I didn't belong there. The pain was real.  I stayed away to heal my self when healing could not be found there.  I had no issues with church doctrine--I loved the church, but it was the people that I could not endure combined with the ugliness of divorce.

I came back when we moved to a different state.  I needed a fresh start and included the Church in my new life.  I was patient and optimistic. My new ward was welcoming and made all the difference in my ability to return. I came back with a more mature testimony; understanding that my testimony revolved less around the social aspects of the church and more centered on the doctrine. I was able to separate my true faith from the culture of the church, rediscovering my place in it, which I so love.

If you've been raised in the church or a convert, there are sure to be seasons in your life where you are defining for yourself what it means to be a Latter-day Saint and how that life looks in real time.
You may wince--as one of my children have--at the politics of the members of the church, or at the feminist values of the culture (or lack therof, depending upon who you talk to), or other issues--in short, you may have a sticking point that rubs your conscience raw to the point of irritation when you don't get the answers you are looking for to assuage your mind. 
That's normal, so hang on. It will resolve.
It is intended that you evolve and ask questions as you sojourn through life. General Authorities have stated many times that we welcome questions about culture and doctrine and it's healthy to think for ourselves and to ponder where we are in the scheme of our membership of the LDS Church.
President Uchtdorf stated:

"Now, the next issue. What about doubts and questions in principle? How do you find out that the gospel is true? Is it all right to have questions about the Church or its doctrine? My dear young friends, we are a question-asking people. We have always been, because we know that inquiry leads to truth. That is how the Church got its start, from a young man who had questions. In fact, I’m not sure how one can discover truth without asking questions. In the scriptures you will rarely discover a revelation that didn’t come in response to a question." 

When I consider issues I do not fully comprehend or agree with, I remember that I'm invested enough, I have faith enough, that I can wait to see what happens by holding my place, by standing firmly where I am, by "staying in the boat" and see where it leads. Experience has taught me there's no other path that leads me to my Heavenly Father and His eternal promises.  That's more important than any trial I face. I've learned to trust in His plan and His timing...it's worth the wait.

I saw this on pinterest and it stuck in my heart:

I've learned to appreciate evolution-- how learning and patience encourages growth in myself and my family, my friends and my leaders, and yes, in the LDS Church.  It is a natural progression for things to change, you can count on it. Trust in God's timing, the answers will come maybe not how you want or when you want, but they do come and bring peace and understanding where there was none before. Sometimes it might be helpful to remember the church is a relatively young and worldwide church.  Keeping perspective of that increases understanding on things too.

"Remember, the Restoration is not an event, but it continues to unfold." -M. Russell Ballard, (10/2016 General Conference, To Whom Shall We Go?)

If you or someone you know is on the journey of faith, encourage them, save a seat for them, pray for them, and just love them. Recognize their pain and give them the latitude to discover for themselves the path of peace and healing.  That is what is needed more than anything else in these troubling times: to love one another as [He] has loved us. Show up.  Be there for someone else.  Don't rely on social media to reach out with a simple "like"--that's a hollow, counterfeit expression for true compassion.  Reaching out in meaningful ways does so much for healing.  To quote a man that I respect, "We are needy, needy people. We need each other, we need a Savior, we need the love of our Heavenly Father."

And finally, the gentle invitation from our Savior: Matthew 11:29-30 King James Version (KJV)

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Here's a nice link that will help you feel good today: Does God Know Me?

*I'd appreciate any comments that may prove helpful in understanding this topic.