Be Bold

"Write on your doors the saying wise and old, 

'Be bold! Be bold,' and everywhere, 'Be bold;

Be not too bold!' Yet better the excess 

Than the defect; better more than less;

Better like Hector in the field to die,

Than like the perfumed Paris turn and fly."

Longfellow, Moritori Salutamus

I memorized that poem after my Dad sent it to me on my mission. It assisted me in knocking doors, bearing testimony, and crying repentance over the course of those unmatchable years. It came to mind last week after an experience I had at work.

Last week I hosted a group of 30 up-and-coming leaders from across the federal government in Salt Lake City as a part of government leadership training program that the Partnership carries out. The fact that I ended up with them in Salt Lake is a miracle in and of itself, but that's another story. We had a great time. We enjoyed optimal weather, a terrific venue, and the best speakers and site visits the city has to offer (including a VIP tour of the Humanitarian Center, lectures from the one and only Craig Galli, Mayor Ralph Becker, Envision Utah founder Robert Grow, and a lecture and tour of Daybreak from President Don Whyte). The federal Fellows loved the city and couldn't imagine why I'd move away (some mentioned wanting to move out there). Over the course of the week I had many gospel conversations with individuals. But the end of the session provided the opportunity to share more broadly my beliefs, as described below.

The Fellows

After the Daybreak tour I called my Dad to see if he wanted to go to lunch with me, but he was unable. I didn't have anyone else to go with so I went out to find some place on my own. Through no coincidence I ran into a few of the Fellows, who graciously invited me to come with them to lunch. Over our sushi and salad an hour-long conversation on the gospel ensued. They asked me about polygamy, the Bible, the role of women, only the 144,000 being saved (JW belief), and the role of the Savior. I was very grateful for their inquiries and that I was able to answer their questions. I bore my witness to them of the imperative and honored role of women in the Church, the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and the role of Christ as Savior and Redeemer (they were under the impression that we thought of Him as a prophet but no more). I stewed over these misconceptions a bit on the way back over to the session. How could people who have been to Temple Square, the Humanitarian Center, and know Mormons personally still have these distorted views of core beliefs?

I felt the strong urge to clarify and testify before the entire group. I felt calm about the decision, which I recognized as the Spirit assuring me it was the right thing to do. We returned to the hotel and I asked Walt (the leadership coach) if I could have a few moments to talk about the Church and clear up some misconceptions I had heard. He graciously granted my request, I'm sure with some hesitancy. I stood up and first thanked them for the gift card they had given me, and told them how much I've enjoyed working with them and how much I admire them and their service. I then told them that I wanted to clarify a few things about the Church, since we were in Salt Lake City and I'm a Mormon. I told them that I wasn't going to preach to them which elicited nervous laughter. I told them that we do not condone polygamy, but rather condemn it and that people that practice it are excommunicated, and that I didn't practice it, never have, and never will (this brought on a more genuine laugh). I told them that we honor and revere women and that they are absolutely not "second-class citizens," as one Fellow had thought. I told them that we believe the Bible to be the word of God. And finally, and most important, I told them that we, and I personally believe deeply that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world, much more than a great prophet or teacher. I thanked them again, and told them that I would go home happy if we were all on the same page in those areas. I braced myself for the awkward silence and blank stares. But to my surprise, they broke into applause--an interesting and not all together unpleasant reaction to a testimony. As I sat down Walt stood up and thanked me in front of the group for taking a leadership moment, being bold, having a crucial conversation and said he admired me for standing for my beliefs, bringing on an encore applause. This reaction was not what I expected.

I felt happy, and immediately prayed and thanked Heavenly Father for navigating me through those challenging waters. He guided me every step of the way: From getting the trip set up, to landing the VIP Humanitarian Center tour, to the culmination of my testimony at the end. He was behind all of this, and if I know anything about Him and His work, this short week trip will have eternal ramifications for the Fellows. A few of them thanked me after we closed, specifically for clarifying and sharing my feelings about the Church. I know that Heavenly Father will take care of us as we follow promptings.

The entire session focused on change. I thought it was appropriate, and perhaps a little ironic, that the session ended with a testimony of the Savior. We only change through Him. Individuals, families, congregations, communities, and the world at large only change in and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know this. And I am grateful to be a part of this miraculous time, "when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people" (Mosiah 3:20--immediately following one of the best verses on change in all of scripture). People desperately need to know that He lives and that salvation comes through Him and His restored gospel. 

I started this post by talking about boldness. But as I wrote it, and as I think about this, it's not bold to follow a prompting. What would be bold would be to deny what the Spirit directs.  I know I fail to follow promptings all too frequently, but I'm grateful for peaceful, faith-promoting experiences like this one, where Heavenly Father made His will manifest and I had the sense to carry it out.