Judgements

My church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) is a world wide church that is lead by a prophet of God.  Along with the prophet there are other leaders in various positions, (apostles, priests, seventy, etc.) that help lead, guide and direct our church.  A few of these leaders are women who are in charge of organizations for the women (Relief Society), young women, and children (Primary).  Twice a year we have a meeting where the leaders of those organizations speak to all the women of the church around the world.  It is broadcast on the Internet and we can watch it at church or in our homes.

I was at one of these broadcasts a few years ago and thinking about the women who lead our church.  At the time, each one had like 6 kids and lived in Utah.  I was anxious to hear what they had to say, but more than that.  I wondered what they could say that would help me because their life experiences seemed very different from mine and very similar to each other.  In fact, I thought to myself that their lives appeared easy and they hadn't suffered much at all.  All these judgments from me came from reading a very short bio about them.

At that meeting, I remember being relieved to hear that their life had not been easy and these women had a lot to offer me and the world.  Flash forward a couple years to just this last month.  Here I was sitting in a different chapel listening to some amazing women leaders speak and the first counselor of the Relief Society, Sister Carole M. Stephens, answered my unspoken prayer from two years ago.  Sister Stephens told me how these women and really all the leaders of the church including the prophet can lead and guide us even if they have not had the same experiences we have had.

Here is the link to her talk:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2015/04?lang=eng&vid=4140514097001&cid=4

Sister Stephens talked about how there are many experiences she has not had and while she went through the list, I wondered why she was naming all the things she had not gone through.  Then she said what I had needed to hear all along.  Even though she may not have gone through those experiences, she knows people who have gone through them.  More than that, Sister Stephens and the other leaders have worked hard their whole life to be close to their Heavenly Father.  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have a complete understanding of all the experiences and trials that life can bring.  As Sister Stephens works at being close to her Heavenly Father she draws upon His understanding and can truly know how to lead and guide us.

Wait a minute....That means she and the other leaders are qualified to lead us not only because of what they have endured, but also their personal relationship to God.  I know that each and every one of our leaders are called of God and they do not lobby or petition for their calling.  Most are hesitant to accept it, but do because they want to do the Lord's will.

To go along with this amazing answer to my sassy thoughts from years ago, my friend Jillian Garrett recently said something to me that I know will stick with me forever.  We were talking about the temple (A special place where we go to do the work of the Lord, very similar to the temple work mentioned in the bible.  Without the sacrificing of animals, as that ended with the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.).  Jillian said something along the lines of, "Don't you love how when you go to the temple you see people as they can be.  Almost as if you can see them the way God views them."   Jill is so right.  It is much harder to focus on the flaws of a person that is actively working for the good of others and trying to become closer to the Lord at the same time.  The temple provides the perfect place to do that.

If only I could use that vision of seeing people the way God sees them and viewing their eternal potential, then  I would not make those rash judgements.  Maybe I wouldn't have wondered what my leaders could teach me when they had no personal knowledge of my struggles.  I would have known what is in their heart and how receptive they are to the spirit.  I know I will fall short again, but hopefully I will try a little harder to see people for the potential of what they can become and will hold back rash judgements.

I know that every time I listen to the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints speak I am filled with the spirit and a desire to do better.  I know that they are called to lead and guide the church.  I am grateful for them and all they do.