My Black Hole | Teen Ink

My Black Hole

May 19, 2010
By hats_awf_20 BRONZE, Salt Lake City, Utah
hats_awf_20 BRONZE, Salt Lake City, Utah
2 articles 0 photos 0 comments

Black hole. –noun. Astronomy. A theoretical massive object, formed at the beginning of the universe or by the gravitational collapse of a star exploding as a supernova, whose gravitational field is so intense that no electromagnetic radiation can escape. Have you ever felt like you’re being sucked into a black hole, with your life, with your family, with your friends? Sometimes it feels that way for me, as well. Being a Christian in the LDS community is my black hole.
Mormonism is a big part of Utah. In 1847, on July 24, the Mormons settled in Utah. They had been traveling for over a year. They left their hometown in Illinois because Joseph Smith had been killed. People in Illinois judged them for their religion and in the end, Joseph Smith was murdered. Therefore, they traveled to find new settlements where they could have a fresh start. I think the Mormons in the twenty first century need to think about Brigham Young and all the Mormons. They traveled incredibly far because they were judged and they wanted a new start. Every day, I feel like someone LDS is judging me. Therefore, Mormons, should think about their past and apply to themselves now.
A few years ago, I wasn’t even aware of Mormons. I was attending SJB Middle School, a private school. In seventh grade, I transferred to another Middle School. That’s when I really found out about everything: wards, young women’s, young men’s, conference, testimonies, girls’ camp, scriptures, temples, etc. At first, nothing bothered me about it. Most of my friends were LDS, and they seldom talked about it. Except, when the subject came up, everything I believed was suddenly wrong. Whoever I was talking to would say what they wanted to say on the subject and then when I tried to give my point of view, they would tell me I was incorrect and their church was the only right way. I even went to girls’ camp one year. My friends who invited me convinced me into thinking it was a camp just for girls. When I got there, I realized that was not the case. I was the only non-Mormon girl in the camp. The entire week I spent there, I was pressured to say prayer, to bear my testimonies, to read scriptures, and my leader even gave me the Book of Mormon. This was very disrespectful to me. I was trying to be forced to do things I didn’t want to do. Another time, when with my friends, we got on the subject of the afterlife. My friend spent over ten minutes describing everything she believed. I began to say my beliefs on the subject and she said to me, “I know my beliefs are right, and yours are wrong.” Although they have their own beliefs, Mormons shouldn’t judge me for mine.
Every day the Black Hole in my life gets bigger. I feel like anything I say has no gravity and it’s being pulled into the hole. I think Mormons should respect everyone else and not judge.


Similar Articles

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 3 comments.


Kat Mason said...
on Oct. 27 2011 at 1:52 pm
Kat Mason, Mystic, Connecticut
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment
I have to apologize as well for the behavior of a member of our Church.  I understand your frustration and I agree with you one hundred percent.  Please also understand that our beliefs do contradict some beliefs held by the Christian community at large, but we are Christians.  We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as such we stand as His witnesses.

AndersN GOLD said...
on Feb. 17 2011 at 12:16 pm
AndersN GOLD, Park City, Utah
10 articles 0 photos 23 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I saw an angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." -Michelangelo

I'm really sorry you had a bad experience with our Church. Again, we aren't taught to put down other religions. Our beliefs are that we need to love everyone, regardless of who they are.

bbbb said...
on Jun. 2 2010 at 6:09 pm
I just thought I would let you know that Mormons are also Christian. I'm sorry that you did not have a good experience with this faith, but I belive they were only trying to share their belifes with you, though maybe not in the best way. Mormons are taught to respect all religions, even though they may not agree completly.