I was walking up to a door with my companion one summer day. We went past an open window. Through it we heard "There's them church girls. Get rid of 'em." To that person, the idea of a "church girl" was obviously something negative. The same sentiment is felt when some speak of "organized religion." Too often churches are seen as places where an honest but fallible person wouldn't fit in and church people are thought to have a false sense of superiority. Elder Wirthlin's words are more inviting.“The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father.”
If people were perfect then there would be no need for mercy. Mercy was promised as the Savior came “with healing in his wings.” (2 Ne 25:13) I hope that when people see a building with “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” on it, they think of a place where Christ, and people trying to be like Him, would welcome them. (See also 3 Ne 27:7-9)
(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)
