Thought for the Week
I’m not a Mormon, nor am I a fan of Mormon teachings. Yet I’d just retold the story of the prodigal son as The Parable of the Good Mormon (click here to read part one). And I’d told it to a crowd of non-Mormons and ex-Mormons, no less!
They sat blinking, waiting for an explanation. “As finite beings,” I said, “we strain to see Truth in a darkened mirror. Like ants on the sidewalk, we can never fully understand the cosmos around us. And it doesn’t help when false prophets arise and blow smoke at the mirror. But despite that, and because of the life and teachings of Jesus, we are able to grasp that there is a God who loves us. And we are able to love him back.
“There are Mormons,” I went on, “who’ve been taught some outlandish things, but who don’t give a fig about becoming a god or having their own planet; they simply want to please their Creator. Conversely, there are learned theologians who don’t give a fig about pleasing God or rescuing wounded travelers on the way to Jericho. Or Salt Lake City. Or wherever it is they think is so important to get to.
“How many of you have been guilty of hating Mormons?” I asked. One by one, hands began creeping up. “And how many of you have assumed you were satisfying God simply by believing the right things, forgetting it’s not what you know, but Who you know? Hundreds of hands went up. Nervous but compelled, I asked them to come forward so that we might pray together for God to revive in us the compassion he has for all of his children—Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslims, Hindus, atheists… Perhaps eighty percent of the people in the auditorium came forward.
After a heartfelt time of prayer, I asked if any of the people still in their seats were Mormons. Slowly, timidly, most of the hands were raised. Anxious to reach all the way through the hornet’s nest, I challenged those up front to engage with those in the seats. Some slipped away, but most stayed.
I’ve rarely seen more people crying at one time. Non-Mormons asking Mormons to forgive them, and more than a few Mormons asking the same. People of differing and undefined stripes praying together. Hearts being changed.
I don’t know what happened after that night. But do I know this: It didn’t begin with our little Mitch & Allen presentation, and it didn’t end with us. Truth is important, yes. It impacts our thoughts and actions, and we should always strive to know and teach what’s true. But in the end…
“The only thing that matters is faith expressing itself through love.”
~Galatians 5:6
I really like this post, Mitch.
Thanks, Don.
I enjoyed both posts, Mitch. Your story is impactful. Have a marvelous Monday!
You too, Kellye, and thank you!
Thank you for this uplifting post on a Monday morning. It’s a good way to start me week.
My pleasure, Liz.
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Ah, but just try that with one of the unconventional or non-Christian religions and everyone loses their minds. Just an observation.
Terrific post, Mitch, and a wonderful reminder of the value and significance of love. Wish I could have been there to see the Mitch & Allen show as well as this moving finale.❤️🙏
Thank you, Gail.
Mitch, that was a powerful Holy Spirit moment. Well done.
It was indeed a Holy Spirit moment, Steve, and not one orchestrated by us, though Allen and I were privileged to play a role in it.
Wow! Hallelujah!
The two postings of the ‘Good Mormon’ are really good. I’m pleased to hear you read the story to a packed and mostly grateful congregation.
I was born and raised in rural southeastern Utah but I’m not a Mormon. I can attest to just how difficult life can be to find oneself in the minority in that state. It caused so many problems for me and my sisters. There are plenty of scars. This post of yours is incredibly interesting and definitely food for thought. I still struggle with memories of growing up a pariah because of religious discrimination. It’s real. I’m also delighted to know of your experience and how, perhaps, things can change and people can come together across that very real divide and find commonality as humans. Thanks as always, Mitch, for your wisdom. 🙂
And thank you for sharing your own experience and insights here, Mike.
The first post I heard a pin drop…this post I heard a mic drop! 🎤What an amazing and powerful moment brought by God. Listening to the Holy Spirit’s prompts are powerful and effective. Well done, Mitch. Eternity will tell the lasting effects of your obedience.
Nothing would please me more than to meet someone on “the other side” whose life was positively impacted by the Holy Spirit’s work that night, Debi.
Wow! What a powerful night! It’s almost like the Lord knows what he’s doing or something 🙂
Ya think, Kara? ;>)
Well said . God knows who is truly seeking Him and why.
He does indeed, PK.
Jesus nearly always casts himself as the main character in his parables. In the Good Samaritan, he was poking fun at the Jews who regarded all Samaritans as “Lesser Jews” or even as Gentiles (gasp). All Samaritans were bad. So when this poor soul was on the side of the road, he thought Oooo! A Priest! He’ll help me! The Priest was “honoring God” by observing the cleanliness laws, probably on his way to Temple. Someone who has touched a probably dead person or blood is unclean and unable to enter the temple. The same goes for the Pharisee. They know the letter of the law but not the spirit. Then comes this Samaritan, (how you can tell a Samaritan from a Jew by just looking is a puzzle…) and the injured man is saying to himself, “Ugh! a Samaritan! Go on by, don’t stop, don’t stop, oh no…”
So Jesus identifies himself as the savior no one hopes will stop, but he stops and binds up our wounds, then washes us off, and puts us in a hospital anyway. He also calls himself “the stone the builders rejected” who becomes the cornerstone. Because he honors God with his heart and spirit and not just the letter of the law, he is rejected by the devout Jews who see him eating with sinners, defending prostitutes, and touching (EGAD!!!) lepers.
So if you were beaten up and lying near-dead on the road, would you ask the guy who was helping you if he was a Mormon before you let him touch you?
Thanks for your additional insights, Rebecca.
Stepping out in faith ‘tis brave stuff and when it turns out so well it shows how God rewards the effort.
Amen, great post, Mitch! I have confidence that God will gather all His children together in love in His own timing.
Thanks, Lesley, and I do too.
Mitch–this post, the picture you’ve drawn, the message you expressed, is bringing tears to my eyes. Thank you–that was a Jesus moment is there ever was one.
I’m so glad it moved you that way, Katie.
The Holy Spirit moved through you in a powerful way. I’m thankful you’ve share it with us.
Wow! This made me tear up. I wish I could have witnessed this in person. I long for moments like this. We are not so different from one another, sometimes it just takes God to point this out and to help change our hearts. I really needed to read this today. Thank you Mitch!
So glad this hit your needed-to-read-this spot, Jenny!
Had to read this one aloud to my wife. Thanks Mitch
My privilege, Eric.
A very touching post Mitch. As Jesus said, people will know we are His followers not by our theology but by our love for one another.
So true, Leo and Nina.
Good for you, Mitch! That had to be scary, but it was the message they (and we all) need to hear. It’s easy to gloss over the real message of the Good Samaritan, but it’s a truth that is needed now more than ever.
We do indeed, Ann.
Wow! What a moment. What a privilege to be a part of it!
It was, Heather!
What a profound and powerful story, Mitch. This says it all.
Thank you, Jennie.
You are welcome, Mitch.
Hi Mitch,
I do wonder many Mormons hearts are ready for the truth and they just need to working of the Holy Spirit? Have a great weekend,
Gary
You too, Gary.
Wasn’t sure where this was going—but praise God for this conclusion.! COULD an LBGTQ + be a good Samaritan AND participate the way the audience did-? It would mean going against all the indoctrination they’d received to think otherwise—?
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