Woman A: What is the predominant religion around here?
Woman B: The LDS church
Woman A: Are there any Catholic churches here?
Woman B: Yeah, but really hard to find.
Woman A: Are LDS Christians?
Woman C: Actually, they're not...she relays in a hushed tone.
Then she proceeds to whisper to the women across the table. I heard no more.
I was dismayed as I walked back to my table. It was evident to me that all of the women at the table were going to leave that day having been misled by a woman with absolutely no knowledge of what she pretended to know. Yet I didn't really feel like it was my place to correct them. Afterall, I was eavesdropping on someone else's conversation. However, I kept thinking about the fact that they would return to where ever it is that they came from and more than likely pass on that misinformation.
I wanted to tell the ladies of Mary Kay and Chick Fil A that LDS was short for, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Jesus Christ is at the very center of our religion. We are Christians. We believe that is is through the atonement of Jesus Christ that we will be saved. Of course, I know that by stating these very facts they would have more questions. Probably questions based on more misinformation that they have carried around with them and shared with others their entire lives.
Then this morning I listened to this talk by President Uchtdorf during the General Conference of the LDS church. He encouraged us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to look for opportunties to share the message of the restored gospel with others, and to share his/her testimony of Jesus Christ. He said, "Sometimes a single phrase of testimony can set events in motion that affects someone else's life for eternity."
Religion is often a sensitive topic. And can be even more so if one interrupts a private conversation in a fast food restaurant. But I can only hope that I have another opportunity to share the message of Jesus Christ and possibly affect someone's eternity with my boldness.
3 comments:
It really boggles my mind when people say we aren't Christian. Isn't a Christian by very definition, someone who believes in and follows Christ? So annoying. But I think you were right not to jump in and correct them.
That's what I've enjoyed the most about living outside of Utah is teaching friends about what I believe and clarifying misconceptions they have.
It's always hard to know when to jump in and when not to. I think sometimes I say things when I shouldn't have and don't say things when I probably should have. I think we just have to pray for appropriate opportunities and then speak up when moved on by the Spirit. You'll have lots of opportunities when maybe it will feel a little more natural and appropriate.
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