Diversity Quote, Conference April 2013
But
while the Atonement is meant to help us all become more like Christ, it
is not meant to make us all the same. Sometimes we confuse differences
in personality with sin. We can even make the mistake of thinking that
because someone is different from us, it must mean they are not pleasing
to God.
This line of thinking leads some to believe that the
Church wants to create every member from a single mold—that each one
should look, feel, think, and behave like every other. This would
contradict the genius of God, who created every man different from his
brother, every son different from his father. Even identical twins are
not identical in their personalities and spiritual identities.
It also contradicts the intent and purpose of the Church of Jesus
Christ, which acknowledges and protects the moral agency—with all its
far-reaching consequences—of each and every one of God’s children. As
disciples of Jesus Christ, we are united in our testimony of
the restored gospel and our commitment to keep God’s commandments. But
we are diverse in our cultural, social, and political preferences.
The Church thrives when we take advantage of this diversity and
encourage each other to develop and use our talents to lift and
strengthen our fellow disciples.
-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
The only thing I can add to this: "The [World] thrives when we take advantage of this diversity and
encourage each other to develop and use our talents to lift and
strengthen our fellow disciples."
We're all unique! Aren't you glad?
ReplyDeleteYES! So very glad!
ReplyDelete