Our Father's Plan--Big Enough for All His Children

My thoughts on Elder Cook's talk "Our Father's Plan--Big Enough for All His Children".

I love the story about Dickens trying to find something bad, awful about the Mormons and finding the opposite instead. I don't know how many times I run into someone whose views of the Mormons are so opposite of what the media etc portray us as. "I knew a Mormon family once and they were so kind and loving." I just hope that people are saying that about my family.

"There have been two contrasting reports with respect to the Church. On one hand, righteous members and the way they live their lives have generally been reported on favorably. Those who know Latter-day Saints personally or have the opportunity to observe them up close have the same view that Charles Dickens reported almost 150 years ago."

"Because of the uplifting doctrine of the Restoration, members rejoice in the gospel and find joy and satisfaction in the Church. We are viewed favorably when we live the teachings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. When members don’t live the teachings, it can be a stumbling block to those who do not belong to the Church."

My mom's words "Remember who you are and act that part" rings in my ears.

Elder Cook goes on to talk about those who might have stumbling blocks with our faith.
I love the story about swans. It is good to have an open mind.
I think my family was much like his ancestor. I think when they first heard the message they knew it was true and accepted it, embraced it and as soon as they could forsook all and went to Zion. It is truly gut-check time. Would I know it if I wasn't born into it?

The next section of his talk has hit a chord in my heart. I think this is one reason I love this church so much--we accept everyone, just like our Father. Although we believe that we are the only true church on the earth we don't have a corner market on righteousness and goodness. I have met many people of other faiths who do good works, are righteous people and dare I say a better person than I.

I can think of countless non-members who are "headliners" who have a ticket stamped for heaven when they get there but have never entered the waters of baptism here on earth. I think Heavenly Father wanted them where they were to make the difference in the people's lives they touched without the gospel. Mother Teresa comes to mind in a second. His plan is big enough for us all!

back to the talk:
"It is equally important that we be loving and kind to members of our own faith, regardless of their level of commitment or activity. The Savior has made it clear that we are not to judge each other. This is especially true of members of our own families. Our obligation is to love and teach and never give up. The Lord has made salvation “free for all men” but has “commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.”"

I have many times judged my own family and it was wrong. Lately I've been judged by a family member and what that person thought about me was completely wrong. It is amazing what is happening because of that judgment. A lesson to me. I can only pray that person's heart will see my heart the way it truly is and not as they thought. But I do fear the worse and have already seen some damage that has been done to the family because of that judgment. A very, very good lesson for me about truly NOT JUDGING even if you are there and witness something. You never know the whole story!

And a lesson I'm taking to heart this week. I'm not going to jump to conclusion about something and I will not judge. Instead I will do as Alma Sr. did, pray that a change of heart can happen (maybe it is my own heart that needs to change) and let the Lord judge. It is his plan anyway.