As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we should be the most tolerant people in the world. We know what it means to be like Christ. He loved everyone, no matter what their background. They were sinners, adulterers, haters, murderers, and He loved them. He loved those and forgave those that crucified Him. So, we have that perfect example. Why don’t we reach out more? Why don’t we take the time as LDS members of the church to get to know those people that are different than us. Serve them?
One congregation in Missouri is setting a good example of doing just that. They went beyond the call of duty, and are offering up their LDS building as a place for Muslim worship. I love this idea. We are so blessed as members of the church to have resources here in the United States to build beautiful chapels. They are simple, and not too ornate, but we often take for granted having a place that is so comfortable to worship in.
A member of this LDS congregation offered up their ward building to a Muslim group that had no such place. They were cramming into a small home to worship for Friday afternoon prayer, which is an important part of Muslim worship. They are hoping to build a Mosque someday for their worship services, but until then, they are content using the gymnasium in this ward building. In the gym there are no pictures of Christ, who they believe was a great prophet, but not the Savior, and it is simply decorated. In fact, it is not decorated much at all.
One of my closest friends here in Utah is Muslim. Their faith is important to them. It is a way of life, much like the Mormon faith is our way of life. I’m glad that the congregations that usually meet in this building are willing to share with another faith, that wants only to do what we want. Have the freedom to worship, and a comfortable place to do it.
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