It seems
like every day I see an article or comment posted somewhere online about an individual
claiming to be, “not a typical Mormon”.
At one point in time I understood this and even embraced the idea that
it is hard to not fit into the mold of what a typical Mormon looks like. Thankfully, I’ve since realized my ideas on
what makes “a typical Mormon” are completely wrong.
We all come to earth as distinct and
completely different beings. None of us
are completely like another. We each
have our own personalities, ideas, and hopes for the future. Regardless of whether we were born into The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or into the Catholic Church, we develop
our own politics, sentiments, and goals.
No church could be successful
without the ideas and perspectives of many different kinds of people. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints is no exception. The Church does
not just allow one type of person to join.
The Church embraces all races, creeds, nations and tongues! I loved hearing President Gordon B. Hinckley
invite others to bring all their light and goodness to the Church, and to see if
the Church could add unto it. This is
the only way our church can be authentic.
We need all members and all ideas!
So what is a “typical Mormon?” The answer is simple: every Mormon is a typical
Mormon.
Every member of The Church of
Latter-day Saints who is striving to grow their own personal testimony of Jesus
Christ and His plan is a typical member.
Every member who struggles, sins, and repents, is a typical member. Could it honestly be any other way? We are all sinners; our sins just as our
personalities: distinct and unique to us individually.
Every member, conservative or
liberal, gay or straight, educated or uneducated, is a typical Mormon. Because we are each so individual, we are the
same. We are all typical Mormons in that
there is no mold, no “only acceptable”, and no “you must be”. This is the beauty of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is the
beauty of the Gospel. We are all
invited. No one better or more worthy of
God’s love than another. He wants us and
needs us all. Scars, tattoos, piercings,
and sins making no difference. We are
all His typical children.
It is important that members of the
Church stop classifying one another. In
particular, stop classifying ourselves as non-typical. While the idea behind it is one of letting
others know it is okay to be different, it often creates an us vs. them mentality
that is dangerous. We need to let the
world know we embrace individuality and the search for truth and light. There is no typical or not typical in the
Church. Instead, there are only precious
children of God working to make their way home.
