by Malena Crockett
It’s that season again — General Conference. If past history is any indication, many members who listen in the hope of hearing faith-affirming, hope-restoring words of wisdom from the LDS Church’s highest leaders will instead hear at least one speaker say something from the pulpit that marginalizes, diminishes, or harms them.
To those who find themselves hurting, I offer this:
Message from Home
My beloved child
You have been taught
to believe I am where I cannot see you
You fear I cannot feel what you are feeling
You think I am where I cannot speak to you
Please listen to this
My timeless declaration
Of my utter and absolute love for you
Feel my joy in you
as a unique manifestation of light and love
Glow from my pride for you
As my child
As your wonderful self
Rejoice to my exultation with you
As a being of the universe
You fill my heart
You are exquisite in every aspect
Despite all, you rise
above your grief
above your pain
above your foes
Despite all,
you find your essential self, your divine core, your unending godness
You do not need me to speak for you
Your existence speaks for itself
Still, I say, Behold my beloved child
Hold fast
Listen
I will be with you
I
will
always
be
where
we can hear each other
֍
Malena Crockett is a novelist, a poet, and a disrupter. She breaks things. Sometimes they come back together looking different than before. A descendant of numerous early LDS converts and across-the-plains pioneers, Malena keeps one finger on the pulse of Mormonism past and present. She blogs at Mormonish: My View from the Fence. Her web site is www.MalenaCrockett.com.
Thanks so much for sharing this. It’s much more heartening than most of Conference.