Reach out and take a hand; make a friend if you can.

We had the interesting experience of visiting another ward today. It is a very affluent ward, with members well-educated and very talented. But there was something lacking, and we felt it. We were not greeted as we entered the chapel, which is disappointing, but not a bad thing. It continued when a sister bore testimony that their city was the holiest place on earth and their ward the best in the church (and she has lived in many in that area). We were touched by the testimony of one good sister who said that as she gets older, her testimony becomes simpler (more on that another time). Oh, and we were greeted after Sacrament Meeting, when a sister told us we were blocking the aisle.
I was greeted as I walked into Sunday School, and there was a good spirit there. But as in many other educated wards, they looked beyond the mark, and tried to approach the gospel too intellectually. The gospel is beautifully simple, except when we try to complicate it.
In Priesthood Meeting, I was greeted by several men, and had brief conversations with those around me before the meeting started. But during our lesson, there were some negative comments made about California, as if that made them more important. But then the lesson progressed beyond that, with some good discussion, and some good insights. Still, it was a little showy. And it was shocking to them to hear the concept of working with less-active members.
When I am traveling, I try to attend church if I am away on Sunday. Some meetings (even at home) are better than others. But I always hope to feel the Spirit and to be edified. In this I was not disappointed.
But the attitudes I felt from them were disappointing. I have only attended three wards that I felt were unfriendly. And one of them was so full of new move-ins that no one knew whom to greet. It should never be too much to ask for members to say hello to someone they do not yet know. In examining my life, I find that when I have the Spirit with me, I always feel more welcoming of others. When I don't feel like greeting people, it is usually because I have not prepared myself for worship and don't feel the Spirit.
The other attitude that disappointed was the attitude of geographical superiority. Now let me make it clear that I defend them against negative comments, too, so I don't care for it from any direction. Where I live or where I'm from does not make me better or worse than another. (Nor does who I cheer for, but that is the topic for another rant.)
The Lord has called us to build Zion wherever we are. I live in a Stake of Zion; so do they. That puts us on equal footing. The attitude that "I live in Zion now, not in the mission field" has always disturbed me. With all due respect, that kind of arrogance has no place in the church. I agree, in jest only, with the hol(e)y part: their roads are like swiss cheese: potholes everywhere. But this valley, while it has temples and chapels, and many important places, is no more holy than anywhere else. Take away the presence of the church, and it is just another medium-sized city.
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we need to be mindful of all the Lord's children. It is important to greet our friends, but what of the stranger? What did the Savior teach? What of the wandering sheep in our midst? What did the Savior teach? What about using our talents to build the kingdom? Have I buried my talent because it is so comfortable living in an affluent area with many good members? Is my light on view to all, or is it hidden under a bushel? What more can I do to build the Lord's kingdom on earth? How can I be a more devoted disciple of Christ? I must be up and doing, and be about the Father's business.
Now lest I sound like a ranting critic, I did leave with a commitment to myself and to the Lord to magnify my callings better. I left with some specific resolves for my own life. Because I know that I can do better. Zion prospers, and much is well in Zion. but I also have a duty and a covenant obligation to make sure that all is well in Zion. Because at this moment, it isn't.