Apologies

Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have apologized for a few things. In 2012 President Gordon B. Hinckley gave a personal apology to a visiting African American Clergyman for the church's past teachings and prohibitions based on race. I have made my own personal apologies for past racism in my life on this blog

In 2007, on the 150th Anniversary of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency apologized for the Mormons involved in that horrific tragedy. He also apologized to the Paiute People as they have frequently been blamed for the atrocity when it was organized and led by local Mormon leaders. Church historians also published a detailed historical account of the massacre using information from LDS Church Archives among many other sources. I have highly recommended the book on this blog. You can still get it at Amazon.

And the LDS Church has apologized for the horribly embarrassing actions of individual members who submit names of Holocaust Victims for vicarious ordinances in the Temple. Access to Church genealogical systems are cut off for the individual offenders and the Church has tagged Holocaust Victims' names to prevent them from going to the Temple, but sadly, some slip through when members disobey the restriction.

The New York Times noted the talk of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf in October Conference, 2013. in which he stated very directly that LDS Church leaders had made mistakes in the past. The implication remains that they will likely do so in the future.

Even the Lord in scripture, while declaring

the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually

then segues into how He cannot tolerate individual sin in any degree. D&C 1:30-32. This passage confused me for a long time until I realized that the true and living church is US, all of us "collectively." We are better together than we are apart.

We individuals can make terrible mistakes and even in groups. But if we hold fast to the Lord's Church where everyone is welcome when they exercise faith, repentance, baptism, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, then we can be a part of the "true and living church."

This invitation is open to all. And the Lord even recognizes that there are many who would join but for circumstances that get in the way. I also maintain a personal belief based on sound doctrine that it is not inconsistent for well-meaning people of any religious tradition, or none at all, to be part of or at least friends with this "true and living church" if not now, maybe at some point in the future. I do know that it is right to respect all in whatever religious tradition or none at all.

And we will always have differences. And because we do, it is easy to offend. For my part, I regret and apologize for the negatives I have thought and promoted with regard to people of different faith, background, or sexual orientation. I have learned to become sensitive to these things from a very young age, but I have frequently failed, and I regret that.

I speak for myself. And I hope to exercise Faith in action as an instrument of doing good in this world. I will never cease trying until my last breath. And that is the best I can do. I am pleased to be joined with my family along with many, many friends of many different persuasions. And my Church.

"With great power comes great responsibility"