Nourish and Encourage

I was thinking this morning about how what I write might come across to others -- especially those who believe differently than I do.  While I do believe that there is doctrine and authority in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that is not had by other Christians, I do not believe that we, as people, are any better.  We are all children of God on a path of discipleship.  We all have the opportunity to study, or not -- to pray, or not -- to apply what we learn, or not.  

I am thankful for the people in my church who set such good examples for me, and I am equally thankful for those who do not belong to my church who set such good examples for me.  When I have gone through hard things, people in and out of my church have prayed for me, and I believe that God heard all of those prayers, and honored them.  

My cousin Mike and my sister Jenny
in 2009 (I think)

My cousin Mike, who is a Christian that does not belong to the same church as me, has been very thoughtful and supportive over the years.  He loves me, prays for me, and has sent me encouraging scriptures from his study of the Bible.  I am thankful for the light of our Savior that shines brightly through him, and that nourishes and encourages the light in me.  My sister Jenny, who does belong to my church is also a good example of a disciple of Christ.  My hope is that I will always encourage and nourish the light in others, and when I fail, that they will have the light needed to forgive.

In the end, we are all pilgrims seeking God's light as we journey on a path of discipleship.  We do not condemn others for the amount of light they may or may not have; rather, we nourish and encourage all light until it grows clear, bright, and true.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf