If only the Heritage Baptist Church had been housed in a large, gaudy, building. Or if the people had been cruel and derogatory. Or if the preaching had been mired in false doctrine. Heavens, at least the pastor could have played his guitar with a little less style! Then I could have judged, and known clearly that our religion is truer than theirs.
But we were greeted by a least a dozen members of the congregation, and the music was fabulous. The lesson on Job left me scribbling notes in the margins of my scriptures. The pastor reminded me of my favorite institute instructors, and even the baptismal service wasn't far afloat from correct doctrine.
What, then, should a Mormon missionary think?
The whole experience filled me with mirth. I laughed at myself and at my open-minded confusion. Because sometimes when I forget that all good things come of God, and I think that I need to judge and hate to create division between my religion and theirs. That is false. I love the Heritage Baptist Church.
But I also know by the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true, and that we are led by prophets and apostles who speak for God today. And that makes us different--not better in a prideful sense, but maybe "fuller." The notion of a fullness of truth is the promise of a restoration of all things. Our purpose, if I understand it properly, is to add to the truths that they already treasure.
I am grateful for good people and honorable religions wherever they exist. But I am more grateful that God has granted me to know about the restoration of a fullness of truth.
And grateful to share, not by dogma, but by faith.
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