Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrs. Funk
Is there no mercy? He'd already been sent home. I'm not saying that people should excuse his behavior, but condemnation is not the way to handle this. His parents are good people. His nonmember girlfriend hadn't made temple covenants to abstain from sexual relations.
I think this mindset of condemnation is a huge problem.
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You eloquently describe a serious problem. There exists among many in the Church an expectation of perfection that can never be attained. Yes we can make incremental improvements in specific areas; however, not achieving perfection should neither be a source of condemnation nor self imposed guilt.
Within some LDS wards and stakes there is all too often a rush to judgment when one falls out of the mainstream. Parents of children who err are often judged the most harshly and end up with a greater degree of suffering. I am consoled by the words of the Savior describing his role:
“He that is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matt. 23:11).
“Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matt. 23:12)