I still have so many other things I wish to blog about, but I've been so busy with rehearsals for my current show. Hopefully, I'll get to it when things have calmed down sufficiently.
Just a note to let you all know that my disciplinary council will be on June 14, in a little more than two weeks. My stake president called me personally this evening, and we had a really nice conversation. He told me what to expect and also told me he wants me to bear my testimony along with anything else I might want to say because he has felt a strong spirit when I have done so with him and wants the others to feel it, too. He also conveyed his love, and I did the same. He really is a good man and a good friend. I know this is hard for both of us.
The council will be at 6:30 AM, although I could have negotiated a different time and day had I wanted to. (I have two shows later that day, too. It's gonna be a long day!) My feeling, though, is that I just want to face whatever will happen as soon as possible. The waiting is hard. Besides, the next day I'm off to see Jonah, and it just felt appropriate that we share whatever the outcome will be together.
I do not know for sure (nor does my stake president) that I will be excommunicated, although it seems likely.
All I ask of you, my fellow bloggers, is that your thoughts and prayers will be with me. I do not wish to be excommunicated, but if that is what is meant to be, I am prepared to face that. I just ask that whatever the outcome, I will feel peaceful about it. That's what I ask you to pray for on my behalf.
Thank you for your past and continual support during my journey. It is greatly appreciated.
14 comments:
Perhaps there are other bloggers out there who would like to join me in a fast for Cody? We can fast for him so that he'll feel calmed and strengthened and that he will be able to deliver his message and testimony in a way that will allow the brethren to feel the Spirit and then to do whatever is the Lord's will in this matter. And then, regardless of what they decide, that Cody will continue to feel the peace and strength needed to continue in the Church, whether or not he is a member on paper.
I admire your attitude and encourage you to keep it up and let it be what it is and take it as a step forward, not a step backward.
You have my thoughts and prayers. You always have!
I don't know what to say, other than I will be praying for you.
You'll be in my prayers
I'm glad you will have an opportunity to bear you testimony. My testimony includes things I have never said from the pulpit, but I do feel comfortable sharing them here:
I'm grateful for the scriptures. I know something of the tender and sacred feelings Jonathan and David shared with each other when "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. I think I know something of the covenant they then made because of their love for each other. I understand why they wept with each other during the trials they faced.
I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon. No where does it condemn same sex relationships, but in Alma 53:2 it affirms that Lehi and Moroni were beloved by each other, rejoiced in each other's safety, and we're also beloved by all the people of Nephi.
I'm grateful for language in the Proclamation on the Family. While it affirms traditional marriage and traditional families, it acknowledge that good and fatihful people must sometimes choose other options. The proclamation says, "Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation."
I know that the 9th Article of Faith is true. It affirms that the Church will continue to receive revelation. I, too, believe that God will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
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I will pray that you and all those involved with feel the spirit and the love of our Savior, and that you will be blessed with the calm and peaceful feelings you seek.
Thanks so much, guys, for your support. It was really nice to wake up this morning and see so many comments of love and support. My sleep was not very restful last night. Your words make me feel better. Thanks.
"The proclamation says, "Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation."Wow, I never really gave any thought to those words "other circumstances" before, but now I find it very interesting. Thanks for sharing, Ned.
Cody, I have been in your shoes. I also felt a peace about whatever outcome would result. They are usually pretty spiritual experiences. I hope yours is as well. You will be in my prayers, so will your stake leaders.
Virtual hugs to you LDS Actor, I'm sure your partner will provide you with lots of real ones regardless of the outcome.
PL
Praying for you, GLA. Pax!
I've been mulling over this for awhile and I'm having a hard time seeing the upside of participating. It's pretty clear that the Church's point of view is selfish... under no scenario is this event meant to do anything other than coerce you into compliance. It's a show of force.
I know this is just my point of view. I've tried to see it from other perspectives but I just keep coming back to 1) the amazing presumption that the Church knows better than you when it comes to the most intimate relationship of your life and 2) the fact that that there is a purely political aspect to this where the Church is attempting to cement its secular power (i.e., the power to set civil law). I've tried and tried but I can't see this trial as anything other political corruption and unrighteous dominion.
I'll butt out of the conversation because I know I'm not on the same wavelength as you are about this, and I really do respect your point of view. You sound like a great guy. I too add my voice of support. I'll be thinking about you and hoping for the best.
Thanks, MoHoHawaii,
I respect your point-of-view as well, but you are correct that we don't see it the same way. That's okay. I think Jonah kind of sees it that way as well, although he's been very supportive, for which I am thankful.
No matter what our attitudes about it, I feel it's very important for me to go in there and explain my own point-of-view. Even if I am excommunicated, I want the brethren in that meeting to struggle with it; I want them simply to see another point-of-view that they might not understand. My expressing it may not make anyone understand, but there will be many people in that room who have known and loved me for a long time, and I want them to see the quandry people like me are in within the church.
It may not change anything, but I feel I must do my part to let them see my heart.
Thanks, all, for your love and support. It means a lot.
I want them to see the quandary people like me are in within the church.
This seems like a good reason to participate. The sincerity of your approach is quite evident.
Big hugs and best of luck.
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