Super Tuesday and Rogers, Texas

This political season - I guess you could call it - has definitely caused me to reflect on my faith in new ways.  I've found an opportunity to grow closer to my Savior as I've felt the whirlwind of the world around me shouting - sometimes shouting hurtful words, other times shouting praise, and often times just shouting mis-information.  Some days I have felt nothing but pure hatred coming from "men of faith", "scholars", and "every day Americans" in regards to my Mormon faith.  Those moments can leave a person feeling very alone and misunderstood and turning to my faith is what gives me peace. 

This is not a new experience for me, except for the part about it being on a global scale. I grew up in two small towns in Texas, my family moved to the second town when I was just 15.  In this new town I'm quite certain no one had ever heard of a Mormon, much less met a family of 12 Mormons!  I can only imagine the types of discussions that happened behind closed doors.  Pulling up to the school in a big van and walking my little sisters over to the elementary campus before heading to High School caused quite a sight in the beginning, but the town quickly welcomed us in.

Sure we caused a scene where ever we went and our parent's rules for us were not the norm in the community but my peers never made me feel "less-than" them in anyway.  Sure, I got some of the weird Mormon questions but nothing out-of-the-norm until one day a friend said, "Hey did you hear what happened at ___________ church last night?  The youth minister told us that Mormons are going to hell and then _______________ stood up and said,  "Mr. __________  if you think Mormons are going to hell and the only Mormons any of us know are the Sellers - then we're all going to hell because they are good people." And then he left." 

I couldn't believe it.  I hardly knew the young man who stood up for me and my family but I'll never forget him.  He was a friend when I didn't even know I needed one.  There were lots of whispers around the school that day as more people told me what happened.  My mind was whirling - why would that man say such things?  What purpose is there in pointing us out?  I had never been to a church meeting where a leader told us specifically who was going to hell - what threat was I to this man and his faith? 

I went to my English class and my jaw hit the floor - the youth minister was my substitute teacher.  My heart pounded as he passed out our "busy work" for the day.  I could feel all eyes on me as everyone realized that he and I were in the same room.  Even at my young age I knew that I couldn't stand silent.  I said a prayer in my heart and walked up to the man's desk.  He looked more nervous than I did and started shuffling papers.  I point blank asked him, "Why do you think my family and I are going to hell?"  He reached in his bag and pulled out a Bible and turned to a verse stating that we are saved through our faith.  I told him that I agreed with that.  He said, "No, you don't. You think you are saved by your works."  I replied that I was fully aware of what I believed in and that I do believe that it's important to follow Christ's teachings even though faith in Him is what saves us. 

You can imagine the tension in the room, but add to that - at the exact moment on our classroom television was the standoff between David Koresh (spelling) and the police in Waco, Texas.  We only lived 45 minutes south of there.  The youth minister then asked me what was the difference between Joseph Smith and David Koresh.  I could feel my face go red - here it was, here was the moment that I needed to know for myself.  Did I believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet, would I stand by him or cower to my seat?  I replied, "Joseph Smith never claimed to be Jesus Christ.  He never killed his followers. We believe he was a prophet, the same way we believe Moses was a prophet." 

I'm pretty sure the bell rang at that time and the discussion was over.  I got a few glances from friends who supported me in standing up for my beliefs while others were all too anxious to get out of that classroom (don't blame them).  But I left there a different girl.  I had stood up for what I believed in and I knew it was true.

Since that time my testimony of the gospel has grown and grown but I wonder if I'm still as brave as my 16 year old self.  To be honest, I cringe when I see headlines including "Mormon" and pause before I read the articles.  I've stopped reading the comments at the end altogether.  I know that being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been the foundation of every good thing in my life.  The friendships and family I have at church is blessing enough, but the comfort I get from reading both the Book of Mormon and Bible brings me peace during these trying times.

While I do hurt when I hear others criticizing my faith - I remember this story that one man stood and said those "damning" things to me as a young girl but there was an entire town of people from different faiths who were nothing but kind to me and that's just what I see when I look out my window.

I hope your faith is bringing you as much peace as mine has brought to me.  I don't write this to try and change anyone else's beliefs but if you do have questions about the Mormon faith - please go to the source.

I'm not going to endorse or criticize any of the candidates - I can't fathom why someone would put themselves through this tortuous magnifying glass, but on some level I'm grateful that they are willing. 

My real purpose in writing this post is to state clearly that I am Eternally grateful to my Savior, Jesus Christ, for his life and sacrifice for me.  I will stand by Him through pointed fingers and name calling because I know He lives and I know that when I have asked Him which way to go in my life, the answer has always come.

I testify of this humbly and with love,

Sarah