tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post5426269132835155751..comments2023-10-19T05:34:26.911-06:00Comments on Serendipity: Baby blessings and cursingsSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765524620705643823noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-57455395135487435922008-12-30T21:36:00.000-07:002008-12-30T21:36:00.000-07:00Sarah,Your blog has left me thinking of my patriar...Sarah,<BR/>Your blog has left me thinking of my patriarchal blessing. One part of it says, "Do not strike back when you seem to be offended. Rather, be mellowed in the realization that all are mortals and imperfect". I'm sorry you were offended. Most of us here would have been! Don't let a mere mortal impact your decision about remaining or not remaining active in the church. He is just ignorant, and obviously doesn't think anyone in his circle of friends and family is gay. I always have to shake my head when someone is so narrow minded. I am willing to bet everyone has a gay friend or family member. Most members of the church just don't know it. Good luck to you. Thanks for your positive influence. I think you're great!CiCihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02131566068417745810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-70290592761601979852008-12-30T18:36:00.000-07:002008-12-30T18:36:00.000-07:00Sometimes you have to say what you said to the HCm...Sometimes you have to say what you said to the HCman to get him to wake up to the fact that his words are his opinion and they do hurt - maybe it won't do any good, but maybe it will... he may start to think about it and be reminded the next time to be more sensitive to the spirit instead of his own opinions.<BR/><BR/>I am glad you went up to him. That took strength and conviction. You should be commended for that. How often I've been frustrated for hurtful things said, and I just hang my head in disgust and later in shame for never saying anything and bemoaning about it later.<BR/><BR/>We cannot make our voices heard if we don't give voice to our feelings. I thank you for this example. <BR/><BR/>It's hard, but if you give up and let "them" win, then where is there the victory? The conversion process starts one person at a time and that leads to another and another. It isn't going to change over night. Be patient. The church needs you! We need you! I need you!<BR/><BR/>Please don't give up, but take it in stride and know it's not going to happen quickly, but increased understanding WILL come.Beckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06159223254071653666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-63115530464624886192008-12-29T10:13:00.000-07:002008-12-29T10:13:00.000-07:00There are some Sundays that it's hard for me to go...There are some Sundays that it's hard for me to go to Gospel Doctrine, because I want to overstep my bounds as Sunday School President and kick people out of class when they make stupid crap remarks like that. There's about 3 or 4 people in my ward that do that, but most of the room just kind of flinches when they do...we're one of the "bluer" neighborhoods of Provo.<BR/><BR/>Suffice to say, I understand where you come from, but I think that standing up for what you've felt and your point of view can only do good. Maybe they'll turn to God and Christ and be healed through the Atonement of their stupidity.<BR/><BR/>(And no, funny as that sounds, I'm not kidding.)Kengo Biddleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12083962910965544925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-54555016896922877742008-12-28T19:42:00.000-07:002008-12-28T19:42:00.000-07:00I am sorry you had to go through that. You are suc...I am sorry you had to go through that. You are such a loving and inspiring person. I think Evan gave good advice. I wish I had the courage to say something but I just sat in my service and nodded along with everyone and I feel the weaker for it. I hope that you stay in the Church. We need people like you!Josch Bereshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02560153784294110508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-8652928909900769982008-12-28T18:45:00.000-07:002008-12-28T18:45:00.000-07:00Thanks to everyone for being such a great source o...Thanks to everyone for being such a great source of support for Sarah! I love her and I do my best to give her the support that she needs but so often one person's love isn't enough and I am extremely grateful that she has so many friends in the "MoHo Queerosphere" who are always ready with words of love and encouragement.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15332275934258698026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-39042792674768705952008-12-28T17:36:00.000-07:002008-12-28T17:36:00.000-07:00Thank you all so much for your support.PL, I don't...Thank you all so much for your support.<BR/><BR/>PL, I don't feel like I deserve such praise, but thank you.<BR/><BR/>Evan, I can forgive him. It is not his fault that he feels and says the things he does. Thanks for reminding me.<BR/><BR/>Alanna, I too, would have been giving that talk a year ago. So much has changed in such a short period of time. I agree that we need to stay in the church to do the good that we need to do, but it is a hard thing that God asks of us. May he continue to bless us with good friends to lean on! <BR/>Thank you for your friendship.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08765524620705643823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-43301237404287747042008-12-28T15:34:00.000-07:002008-12-28T15:34:00.000-07:00Hang in there, Sarah. We need to stay in the churc...Hang in there, Sarah. We need to stay in the church, to continue to fight the good fight. If all of us leave, who will be left to tell "them" they are wrong? Just three years ago, I might have been the one up there giving that talk and believing every word. Now I'm better educated and I pray for the day when all members will join me.<BR/><BR/>Hugs!<BR/>Alannalanabananahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09034195249065989206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-75463159847111867632008-12-28T15:08:00.000-07:002008-12-28T15:08:00.000-07:00From talking to friends and reading this, it sound...From talking to friends and reading this, it sounds like a lot of us had a miserable day at church.<BR/><BR/>Sarah, although I don't have to deal with it as frequently here in west TX, I am sure it is hard. I try to focus on the good I can get out of church, and to me, that's all I really can do. Fortunately, I have an extremely supportive branch president who I can talk to. We got to find those in our faith and in our lives that we can lean on when we get upset over such things, especially with recent events. Luckily, you have a wonderful husband. You have wonderful friends. You are in a lucky place, because you aren't fighting this alone!<BR/><BR/>I think speaking your mind to the council men was perfectly fine. You let him know he offended someone, but please be willing to forgive him. Members are highly uneducated on the subject, and I think understanding that is important. <BR/><BR/>Good luck with everything. You and your family will be in my prayers.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01226208429329312021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-64993866369880883952008-12-28T14:55:00.000-07:002008-12-28T14:55:00.000-07:00Sarah,You have one of the most tender hearts of an...Sarah,<BR/>You have one of the most tender hearts of anyone I've read. I'm sorry for the challenges you're facing. You will need all the the strength and patience in the world to continue with you great calling and sometimes it will seem to you that the fight is not worth it, but you're making a difference and touching lives of people you don't even know. I have nothing but admiration and awe for you and your husband, if only all of us were 1/2 as lucky to have a wife like you...<BR/><BR/>Be strong and we're here to share your joys and struggles and look up to you and your family as examples, wherever your lives may lead you. Hugs and best wishes...Public Lonelinesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11212960226511408147noreply@blogger.com