Lame Mormons

On a sabbath afternoon in Jerusalem, I sat in front of the Dominus Flevit Church overlooking the Old City and the Kidron Valley. (By the way, this vantage point of the Old City and the Kidron Valley is the absolutely gorgeous. If you're ever down in Jerusalem, just sit in front of the Dominus Flevit and contemplate life. ) I could not stop thinking about the people of Jerusalem. I thought about the kindness they show for others. I thought about their sincerity. I thought about the emotion they have as they worship. I thought about the love that they have for who they are worshiping.

After contemplating what this all meant, I thought "Wow, there are people here in Jerusalem that are closer to Christ or God (for those who are Jewish and Muslim) more than some Mormons, if not most." I broke down crying as that thought came to mind. Too long and too often in my life I have forgotten the Lord. Yet, I have been blessed with the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I owe the Lord my heart and soul for the blessing of not only the Atonement, but having His fullness. I have been given much, but I have not been grateful enough.

The thought of Mormons lacking passion for the Gospel and the Lord has really been weighing on my mind. Coming back to BYU after spending time in Jerusalem was a culture shock. It was more of a religious shock actually. Church seemed like a social gathering, rather than a worship gathering. The young adults seemed a little too light-hearted on the sabbath. I questioned where their hearts were, especially on the sabbath. It made me sad to think that members of the Church lack love for their Savior. (Although I am saying all of this, this does not mean I am not like them.)

I was so so so so so so so grateful that this past General Conference revolved around having a true conversion to the Gospel and the Lord. I felt like the Lord knew what has been weighing on my mind, so He decided to address this issue at General Conference. It's not enough to just be a worthy, active member of the Church. We should be living and breathing for the Lord. We should be keeping the greatest commandment: to love the Lord. I just realized recently that we could be worthy, active members of the Church without keeping the greatest commandment. Our motive for being worthy, active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should be our love for the Lord. Actually, our motive in everything should be our love for the Lord.

So let's not be lame Mormons. Let's be true disciples of the Lord.