by Mike Hoffman, Mission Center President
This week I had the opportunity to participate in Experience Interfaith. It’s an event sponsored by Arizona Interfaith Movement which included a traditional Sikh meal (where one removes their shoes and sits on the floor demonstrating equality). Afterward we formed small groups and discussed the strenghts of our own faith traditions, the spiritual disciplines we consider most important for world peace, and mis-conceptions by others of our faith. We were instructed to get into groups of six or seven with people we did not know, and with persons of other faiths. With over 300 people present, it was difficult for some to know who was from their faith. In my group of seven, three were devout LDS, two did not follow the practices of any organized religion (all though one was raised Mormon), and one person was Muslim. We ranged from age 19 to my 51.
It was a very personal way to find out more about other faiths and to hear the hurts of being misunderstood. It really helped me to formulate just exactly what I would share when asked. For strengths, I shared the Worth of All Persons and All Are Called from our Enduring Principles. When it came time to share the most important spiritual discipline for world peace, I shared Grace and Generosity. I realized that if we all demonstrated God’s grace and were abundantly generous with one another, the world would be a more peaceful place.
This coming Sunday, October 17, Diana Hansen and I will be sharing with the Prescott congregation for their business meeting and potluck.
May God bless you and strengthen your witness this week.
