Heterogeneity Is the Spice of Life

Andrew came across a fascinating Slate article that suggests that Mormons themselves don't realize how diverse they are, and the "I'm a Mormon" campaign is helping them (and others, of course) see that. The article linked to a profile of a guy named Michael who is bisexual, black, and a faithful Latter-day Saint. I heartily recommend reading his story of how he came to join the Church. It is inspiring.

Michael's "I'm a Mormon" Profile

I feel like a lot of stereotypes about Latter-day Saints are being broken down with the heightened media attention . . . I hope other Utahans get a sense of it too. (Psst—I'll tell you a secret: you can be a faithful Mormon and a non-Republican! No really, it's true! President Faust was a Democrat, and he was an Apostle! You can even vote for Obama in 2012 instead of Romney or Huntsman if you wanted to! Or, if you are a Republican, dyed in the wool, true red through and through, you can still be at peace even though other people have different political views than you. They'll make it to heaven somehow too.)

I think a true Zion is not a place where people are all the same, but a place where they have learned to get along even though they are different. It's not about conformity, it's about becoming the best person you can possibly be according to your individual gifts, opportunities, and desires—and then helping others be the best they can according to what they have chosen.

Heterogeneity is the spice of life. Some spices are mild, some are zingers, some help bring out other flavors, some smell funny, some have healing or soothing properties, some ward off vampires. What's your spice? 


I'm ginger—I have a kick to me but I go well with lots of different vegetables all mixed together.