Stumbling Blocks vs. Bridges

A few years ago, near the town that I lived, there was a raging debate over where Deseret Industries (a thrift store) should build a new store.  There was some discussion about permits and zoning and all the normal things that come along with putting up a large building, but this is not what the debate was about.  There were numerous city council meetings, where citizens could come voice their concerns.  The overwhelming consensus, according to several media outlets, was that the people of this particular city did not welcome the kind of "riff-raff" that would be frequenting the thrift store.  They believed that the city's image would deteriorate.  The unfortunate thing about this was that the majority of the people in this town, as with most towns in Utah, belonged to the LDS Church.  This caused many people outside of the church to look at all members they encountered as snobby, holier-than-thou hypocrites.

...and the wickedness [of the members] of the church was a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church...(Alma 4:10)

There are many blessings that come with living in an area that is so full of church members.  Most of my kids' friends are members.  I can go into the grocery store and hear people talking about their missionaries or the temple or their Relief Society Enrichment nights.  There is just a feeling of peace and belonging.  There are also some not so good things that come from living in an area that is so full of church members.  It's easy to become lackadaisical in my efforts to share my beliefs.  It's much easier in some ways to live the gospel, because everyone else is doing it, but because "everyone else is doing it", it's also easy to fall into clique-ish behaviors.  

My ward boundaries consist basically of one square block - two streets.  The Relief Society President lives kitty-corner to me, the Primary President across the street.  The Bishop and his counselors are all just a few houses away.  I am good friends with most of the women in my ward.  I've just been thinking of the homes in the neighborhood, and I think there are around twenty non-member homes.  With the exception of my neighbor, I don't even know the names of any of those non-member families.  How sad!   

I have heard people speak of feeling outcast and not included in the activities of their acquaintances who are members of the church.  It occurred to me that whereas I have a feeling of peace and of belonging because of my associations with members of the church, a non-member could actually feel lonely and even shunned because of their associations with members of the church.  

I must do better at making sure that I am not a stumbling block to those who do not belong to the church.  I want them to see what I see.  That the church is full of loving, kind, generous people.  People who are not really all that different from them.  Instead of a stumbling block, I will strive to be a bridge.

Click here to read what I read today: Alma 3 

Click here to read what I read today: Alma 4