Even in Utah

Some of you may already know this, some may not. I have recently gone back to the LDS church. To anyone that knows me at all, it would be obvious that this was not a hasty decision. Religion has always been important to me. One of my friends pointed out that it really did take a miracle to bring me back, but I don't regret anything. I always had a close relationship with God and through all of my studies and church hopping and prayers I believe God put me where I needed to be to grow and learn the way I needed to. I don't regret my allegiance in the Nature-Based Wiccan faith, and I can honestly say that I still hold onto some of the principals of that faith and I miss a lot about it. But God told me that it was time for me to be a Mormon and that that was where he wanted me to be. And so I am.

But that isn't what this post is about. I expected going back to be difficult for one reason and one reason only, because I found strength in the fact that I had worked so hard to find something that made me happy even though I had little support from my peers. I felt like a piece of that strength was dying. Like I was "giving into peer pressure". I had to consistently remind myself of the feelings I had and the revelation I received and that this wasn't me just giving up. But I was certain that my friends and family would welcome me with open arms and hearts.

I was wrong. I mean the first thing happened, my family was ecstatic, but my friends? Not so much. I mean I had a few friends that are more than supportive, but I guess a lot of them lost their respect for me. I am no longer "against the grain". To them I am "just like everyone else". It kills me a little bit. I have had adults (usually non members) who respected me a lot because I left a church that didn't make me happy, and defied my family and my peers to find what I believe in. That didn't change. I still did that. I still grew a lot and changed a lot from my journey with God that is truly never ending. I will never judge someone because they don't share my beliefs, and I know God can tell someone to be a member of another faith because it is what they need to grow and learn. I am still me. But it would be wrong for me to deny what Christ told me.

I never thought in a million years that even in Provo, Utah, would I loose respect for being a Mormon. But that has happened, and it's sad. Many of these people are close friends that aren't members themselves. When I wasn't a member I found a lot of solace and kinship cultivated with other nonmembers that had felt the pressure to be a part of the herd. We found strength to be different in each other. We often swapped stories about being mistreated or judged for our religious differences. But now those people have turned their backs on me and are judging me for my differences with them. I will not judge you guys, but just think about what you are doing.

With that being said I feel it's important to learn about and find the light in all religions. I have never, nor will I ever judge someone for the way they see Deity. Ever. Mormonism is the majority here, but apparently humans have a way of making a majority feel like a minority. I think you can find a huge lesson in that. Everyone is a minority in a million ways. People are judgmental creatures. We have to be. We have to judge who our friends are, who to trust, who to be in relationships with, it's a part of being human. The most important thing though is to remember that just because someone makes different choices than you, and they have a lifestyle that you aren't comfortable with or that you disagree with doesn't make them less than you. D&C 18:10 "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" it doesn't say chaste souls, wealthy souls, intelligent souls, charitable souls, or Mormon souls. It says souls. All souls. Yours, mine, theirs, every soul of all nationalities, political parties, religions and struggles. All of us.

Final Words <3 You are a majority, you are a minority and your soul is great in the sight of God.