To My Daughter

My Dearest Daughter,

You might not remember this, but when you were very little, you taught me a very important lesson.  You were following me around the kitchen.  Every time I would take a step, your little feet would take two or three to catch up.  In my efforts to get dinner on the table, I impatiently asked you what you were doing - why you were following me.  Your reply will forever stay with me.  "I learned that I'm supposed to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, but I can't see him, so I'm following in yours."  From that day, I have tried to remember that I have six of His children following in my footsteps.  I have faltered, for sure.  I am far from perfect.

You said something this weekend that has weighed heavy on my mind.  Something that makes me feel that I have not just faltered, but perhaps failed, in my duties as your mother.  We were passing the protesters on Temple Square, and they were being particularly raucous and aggressive.  Horns were blowing, people were shouting and large, hateful signs were being waved in the faces of passersby.  "I would give anything," you said, "to drop mom off in the middle of that group."  "Really? Why?" I asked.  "So you could debate them.  I love listening to you debate people."  My heart dropped.  The only reply I could come up with is that I don't debate with people anymore.  It doesn't do any good.  And then I changed the subject, but my mind was racing.  Is that what you've learned from me?  From the depths of my heart, I'm sorry.

Now that I've had time to ponder, this is what I really want to tell you:

I want to tell you that those protesters are people just like you and me.  They have families at home.  They have jobs and friends and pets and mortgages.  They also have strong beliefs.  Just like we do.  Their beliefs don't align with ours, and that's ok.  We are more the alike than we are different.

I want to tell you, though, that there's one important way in which we MUST differ from the protesters and from the debater that you perceive me to be.  Instead of using hate and words to convince others that their way of thinking is wrong, we must use love.  However cliche, it is true that our actions speak louder than our words. Jesus taught through love and example.  He did not stand outside and protest against those with differing beliefs.  He did not argue and debate.  But He also did not mock those who did.  He lived and loved in such a way that people became drawn to him and his way of life.  We must do the same.

 I want to tell you that there are times in your life (perhaps you have already come across these times) when you will have questions.  You will wonder if the things you've always felt to be true really are true.  There will be times when people you love and respect in positions of authority will say things that you aren't sure about.  I want to tell you that that's ok.  I can't say that strongly enough.  It's ok to have questions.  It's alright to wonder.  Never forget that we are where we are today because a boy had questions.  The important thing to remember is that you need to ask those questions of the One who has all the answers.  Go to your Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, with your concerns.  I promise you He will answer.  There has never been a question that I have taken to the Lord with a sincere heart that has not been answered to my satisfaction.  He loves us more than we can comprehend, and He doesn't want to see us hurt or confused.  He WILL answer.

Lastly, I want to tell you how much I love you and how proud I am of you.  You are so strong and loving.  I hope that it's not too late to change the direction of my footsteps.

Love,
Mom