LGBTQ+

Sometimes I say "LGBTQ+" as "LGBTQRSTUV" because I get confused by the letters and the order of the letters. 

I don't say it out of disrespect, I just want to make sure I get all the dang letters in there.

I have always been an "ally" to the LGBTQ+ community... whatever that means.

I feel that I am an ally to everyone - no matter the color, religion, sexual orientation, etc.

I feel like that's actually a natural thing - to be an ally.

I feel that hate or ignorance is very unnatural.

It's not the way we were born - to be hateful or condescending or judgmental.

That's my opinion.

I have been debating whether or not to go into this letter below.

It was posted on a social media site.

It was shared by a girl who was in our ward in West Point.

She was so sad and devastated and angry about this letter.

So am I.

Someone, professing to be a member of the LDS Church, literally sat down at a computer and typed this out.

THEN, they actually sent it to a neighbor.

Literally spent their time typing out these words, using the Church as their reasoning, then sending it to another Child of God.

This happened.

YOU GUYS!

THIS HAPPENED.

This was the response from said neighbor.

It is a beautiful rebuttal.

Leaving emotions out of it and stating facts.

SIGNED and sent back to the people who had the audacity to send a communication in the first place.

Dear Autumn Ridge Neighbor Who Didn't Sign Your Name:

I am disgusted.

Literally sick to my stomach that there are people in this Church who have set aside doctrine, actual commandments, and have ignored the words of our Prophet from just a couple of weeks ago...

Who feel that they are in a position on this planet to be the judge of other people.

Who feel that they are more worthy than someone who flies a flag in front of their home.

Who believes that they actually have the right to hurt other people.

The second commandment is like unto the first - love one another.

At no point in that commandment does it say to love one another... unless they are gay... unless they are a different color... unless they fly a rainbow flag...

It says to love one another.

Point two - thank heavens we were not put on Earth to judge others. It's actually not our job. It's actually never been our job. You have actually never been given that job because it's not a thing. Mind your own business. Look at your own flaws and work on those. 

Point three - no one has more or less value or worth than anyone else. No one.

I have repeatedly tried to teach my children that the Gospel and the Church are different.

People are mortal.

They make mistakes.

I make them hourly, sometimes more often.

Depends on the day, really.

The Gospel teaches love, kindness, humility, meekness, CHARITY, service, and unselfishness.

The Gospel teaches us that our Savior suffered for ALL OF US because He loves ALL OF US.

Please don't use the Church as a crutch to be able to validate why you are sending something so hurtful and isolating and judgmental to a neighbor.

That's on you.

Sincerely,

A Mama Bear