God Created All to be Different
Not long before our mission, I was visiting my daughter who lived in New York City. One night we decided to go to Central Park to run. It is a wonderful place to exercise in such a big city because cars are not allowed.
I finished running before my daughter, so I sat down on a bench and waited for her. It was the evening rush hour, so it was very crowded. I was amazed at the number and variety of people passing in front of me on the main street. Many were going home from work and others were exercising.
Some people were walking, some were running, some were on skates or scooters, some were on bicycles, and some were on horses. There were people of all ages, all colors, and all nationalities, and they were all dressed differently. I was amazed at their diversity because I had never seen so many different people in one place. It was like a parade of humanity without end.
As I watched, the spirit taught me that each person was created to be different. They had different lives, different experiences, different goals, and different challenges, but they are all loved by our Heavenly Father and He wants them to return to him. So he came up with the way as described in the Doctrine of Christ.
Sometimes I make the mistake of thinking that people should look and act like me in order to be interested in the church. That is not what Heavenly Father wants us to do. He sent His Son to save the world, not to exclude the world. He wants our help to gather ALL of His children, even if they seem very different from us. That is why He told us to love one another.
This goes with the scripture in 2 Nephi 26:24-27
24 …….. for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw call men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.
25 Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, …….
26 Behold, hath he commanded any that they should depart ….. out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.
If we keep this perspective in mind, we can actually celebrate our differences instead of being afraid of them.
I am thankful for the opportunity to come to Peru to serve the Lord as a missionary. I have learned that the gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone and works for all who believe. We are all literally children of a loving Heavenly Father, and not to a particular culture, political party, or segment of society. Therefore, everyone is welcome.
