Mormons Who Really Nailed the Whole "Be-Like-Jesus" Thing

We like to give credit where credit is due. Though the institutional church completely botched it this weekend, there were many individual members who stepped up to demonstrate that their personal faith is not based on spite and bigotry or policies and procedures, but on true love and compassion. I want to fulfill the wish of  Lon Young, author of the blog, Buddha in the Beehive, who wrote:

“I want the history books to include this detail: When this policy was leaked to the public, my Facebook feed was filled with good people, mostly Mormons, letting the gay community know their phones would be on all night, that they could call, could reach out, in case any of them were thinking of taking their own lives. I want the history books to show that the policies of our leaders did not reflect the highest values of the people they have been asked to lead. They issued policies and we posted suicide hotlines.”

Here are some Mormons who got it right:

The neighbor who sent flowers

Those who posted supportive Facebook statuses

The ones who sent friendly texts

The saints who delivered cookies, cookies, and more cookies

The Bishop who sent this message

And This Courageous Musician

Before performing a special musical number this Sunday, he read this to the congregation:

“I would like to dedicate my portion of this song to all my fellow LGBT brothers and sisters who are struggling in the wake of the church’s new policies. I want to bear my testimony that God loves you for who you are and how he created you and me. Gays, lesbians, those who are bisexual, transgender, or questioning are far too likely to struggle with depression, anxiety, loneliness, bullying, and substance use. They are also at high risk to end their own lives by suicide. They also experience high rates of family rejection and are even kicked out of their homes. This is spiritual abuse and has to end. But change doesn’t happen unless good people stand up for what is right, even if it’s uncomfortable. The first line of the song we are about to perform says ‘take my life and let it be, consecrated lord to thee.’ I hope as a body of Christ we can dedicate our lives to reaching out, serving, welcoming, and providing resources for all people, especially those that are the most vulnerable among us. This is the hallmark of a true disciple of Jesus Christ.”