"How often have you and I made judgements that are equally unfair? Why can't we resist the urge to second-guess and evaluate each other? Why do we judge everything from the way we keep house to how many children we do or do not have? Sometimes I wonder if the final judgement will be a breeze compared with what we've put each other through here on earth!
The Spirit cannot dwell in a home, a ward, or a relationship where there is criticism. Contention neutralizes us spiritually. When we fail to champion one another, we in essence betray each other.
It is simply not for us to judge each other. The Lord has reserved that right for himself, because only he knows our hearts and understands the varying circumstances of our lives. Principles and covenants are the same for all of us. But the application of those principles will differ from woman to woman. What we can do is encourage each other to constantly seek the direction of the Holy Ghost to help us make decisions and then to bless us with the reassurance that our lives are on course. Only when the Lord is directing our lives may we expect to feel peace about our choices. And his approval is so much more vital than that of the ward busybody.
Another kind of judging is more subtle but equally destructive. How often do we describe a sister with words like these: She's a convert. She's been inactive. She's a Utah Mormon. She's single. She's a stay-at-home mom.
When we label one another, we make judgments that divide us from each other and inevitably alienate us from the Lord. The Nephites learned this lesson the hard way. After the Saviour appeared on this continent, those converted to the gospel lived in harmony for two hundred years. Because they loved God, they also loved each other. And though previously there had been Nephites and Lamanites and Ishmaelites, there were now no"-ites," as the scriptures tell us (4 Nephi 1:16) It wasn't until they again divided into classes that Satan began to win many hearts. The Nephites never recovered spiritually.
Can't we get rid of the "-ites" among us? Can't we avoid this "hardening of the categories"? We gain nothing by segregating ourselves based on superficial differences. What we have in common -- particularly our commitment to the same glorious cause--is so much more significant than any distinctions in our individual lives. I think again of our sisters in Africa. The fact that my life is completely different from theirs didn't matter. When we left that last meeting in Ghana, I wept because I felt such a bond with them. We are our sister's keeper. Heaven forbid that we would ever make even one sister feel left out. If there is any place in all the world where a woman should feel that she belongs, it is in this Church."
- Sheri L. Dew
Lately, I've been really into reading books that will bring me closer to Christ. The book that I am reading right now is called Arise and Shine Forth. It's a compilation of all of the talks from The 2000 Woman's Conference at BYU. One talk in it by Sheri L. Dew is titled "As Women of God, Shall We Not Go Forward In So Great A Cause?" It's such a great talk and there are so many quotes from it that I want to share with people. But this one (I would apologize for the length of it, but it's all so good, that I couldn't leave anything out. She just worded this so well), is SUCH a great reminder that we need to quit judging, quit gossiping, quit causing contention, quit hurting feelings. We need to LOVE each other. We need to lift each other up. We need to live up to the name of our church. We are members of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints. If we belong to Christ's church, then why don't we act like it? Christ loved everyone. He served others. We don't uphold His name when we aren't trying our best to love and live like Him.
Wow! Great counsel from Sister Dew. We really should be accepting of each other and to try and look upon the good in each other.
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