Differences

I love this picture of Isaac Greene and Gilbert Staepels. (Twins!)

Side by side.

Elbow to shoulder.

Toe to toe.

The tall and the short of it is, physically, they may be different in stature, hairstyle and shoe size, speak a different language and grew up in distant parts of the world, but spiritually, they have much in common.

In our mission conference last week, a diverse group of missionaries from around the globe gathered in Breda. From far flung northern Canada, to New Zealand’s South Island and everything in between.

Together, they share the same set of beliefs, a common gospel vocabulary, and a joint effort to care for, respect and love one another.

Regardless of outward appearances, or ethnicities, every Church member is united in the knowledge that we are all a child of God.

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12

Being unified in Christ doesn’t mean we all must be the same, we embrace our differences.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that “the diversity of persons and peoples all around the globe is a strength of this Church.”

By July this year, 72,000 + missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will serve in 450 missions worldwide.

Church publications are now printed in 188 languages.

Over 31,000 congregations meet each Sunday in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and throughout the Pacific.

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” Ephesians 2:19

Our faith is becoming increasingly diverse, mirroring a wide range of cultures and experiences.

Singing one hymn in several languages together, is a unifying experience.

The message of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is for all people, everywhere around the world.

Our missionaries share an inclusive message of God’s love for all of His children, of a restored New Testament Christianity, of continuous revelation, and of additional scripture testifying of Jesus Christ, through the Book of Mormon.

Speak with Isaac today, he is currently serving in Den Haag – you can’t miss him!