"Stand Forever" Ep. 26 | The Truth—Endure to the End Part II | Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge

When someone leaves the Church, especially when many leave, people wonder, “What do they know that I don’t?” A better question to ask is “What do I know that they don’t?” Some claim Church culture is driving people away, that members feel unseen, disconnected, empty, unheard, unnourished, and unfulfilled by their involvement, and the solution they say is a transformation to a more open, inclusive, transparent, loving, and tolerant culture wherein more people can comfortably gather.The ultimate question is not: “Do I fit in, feel loved, accepted, and comfortable?” The ultimate question is: “Is the Church true?”None of this is to say we should stand idly by as people walk out the door with broken and lonely hearts thinking, “there is no place for me here.” But belief trumps doubt.  If you view the church from the institutional perspective, then the arguments for leaving make sense. If you view it from the kingdom of God perspective, they fall apart.  From the institutional point of view, reason would suggest leaving or stepping back if, as an institution, it does not meet your criteria, your expectations, and your judgment of what the Church should be. But if you see the Church as the kingdom of God on earth with sole authority to administer the ordinances of salvation to God’s children on both sides of the veil, endow them with power to engage in His work and thereby bring them back to Him, then you will stay come what may.