Tuesday, September 2, 2014

We Should Never Suggest Someone Move if They Don't Agree with Us

If neighbors [non-Mormons OR Mormons] become testy or frustrated because of some disagreement with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or with some law we support for moral reasons, please don’t suggest to them - even in a humorous way - that they consider moving someplace else. I cannot comprehend how any member of our Church can even think such a thing! Our pioneer ancestors were driven from place to place by uninformed and intolerant neighbors. They experienced extraordinary hardship and persecution because they thought, acted, and believed differently from others. If our history teaches us nothing else, it should teach us to respect the rights of all people to peacefully coexist with one another.

Elder Ballard (Oct 2001 General Conference) 

Elder Ballard was talking specifically about those who don't share our religion, but the same principle applies to those within our religion who see things differently than we do. We should never suggest they leave if they don't agree with us. Zion is peaceful coexistence despite differences, not complete unanimity of thought in all things.  (Frankly, that last description would be Hell for me.) 

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