LOVE LOUD

On saturday August 26th, I had the opportunity to attend the LOVE LOUD festival in Orem Utah. 
I just happened to luck out that we were already going to be up in Provo to attend the temple with my Daughter in law, so I jumped on to see if there were any tickets available and there were. 

Now it started out rough when we had to stand in line for about and hour and 45 minutes just to get in, but once we got in, and found a place to settle in , it was truly an overwhelming site .  I have not attended many concerts, and the ones I did were very different (as they should have been.)  I love Imagine Dragons and Neon trees, and enjoy their music. BUT , This was not just about their music though. This was a festival of people coming together to raise awareness and open the dialogue that there are people in our midst, especially youth who feel Alone, unloved, Ostracized and  some even unwelcome in their own families.  These youth are committing suicide at alarming rates especially in Utah. 

Now there are varying statistics, but even one is too many  One  study released In June of 2016 states that Utahs suicide rates have TRIPLED since 2007, and are double the national average .Here is one article   HERE

Why is this you ask??  Good question. 

I don't think it has anything to do with the elevation or the fact that Utahns move alot.  I think we really have to look at the pressure that comes from being a part of a culture that is so stringent and does not accept you unless you fit into a very specific mold. 

Now I have been a member all my life, and I too have had  feelings of not being enough, or not feeling like I fit in. 
Luckily for me though I am not Gay , so it was a bit easier to overcome this. 

I was never told I could not find joy in this life , or that I could not  marry someone I love. I was not told that if I did, and had children, that they could not be a part of the gospel until they were adults and they would have to disavow me as their parent.   
I was not told over and over I was a sinner, but they would "love me anyway" as if they were not " a sinner" 

Aren't we all sinners? 

I was never told that this challenge was just for this life, and it would all be fixed in the next life . 
Well,  .... No wonder they are killing themselves. 

Dan Reynolds ( of Imagine Dragons)  decided he was not going to be silent on this issue. He decided to use his voice to bring up the dialogue. To open the conversation about LGBTQ indiviuals and the challenges they face. They are wonderful human beings who deserve Love, respect and the same rights and privileges we all enjoy.  They need not ever feel alone. 

LOVE LOUD is the name they chose for this event.

LOVE as described in the dictionary 
    
  (1) :  strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties
:  warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion   :  unselfish loyal and benevolent , concern for the good of another:         such as (1) :  the fatherly concern of God for humankind           (2) :  brotherly concern for others  :  a person's adoration of God
LOUD as described in the dictionary     marked by intensity or volume of sound  :  producing a loud sound
So if we look at our interactions with those who may be different , or don't fit our mold ,  Do we show affection or kinship  with great intensity? Are we really showing love if they don't Feel ( or hear ) it? 
Is it LOUD enough that they hear it? 

Do we try to live up to our baptismal covenant to " bear one anothers burdens" Comfort those who stand in need of comfort?
I had the privilege of spending a few hours in the MAma dragons hugging booth talking to individuals, and giving out hugs. I had many individuals talk about how they have felt left out and unloved by their peers and family because they are Gay. I watched a mother tear up as I talked to her about my journey and how I ended up there to help support my son and others like him. Her 14 year old daughter had recently come out and she was trying to figure out how to navigate it all for her. Her family is not very supportive. She said " I love my daughter for who she is , and why should she have to change to fit in?"  She is exactly right. It doesn't mean that this poor mothers heart is breaking for what lies ahead for her sweet daughter. I had another young man talk to me about how to better  help and support  his brother who is gay . HE asked lots of questions as to how he can help his mom, and what resources are available. It was just a few hours of my time, but it was the best feeling in the workd to be on a mission to help others on this journey we call life.  NOt that I have it all figured out, but because I can listen and have empathy for their situation, together we can help each other through the good times and the bad.    
Yes, LOVE LOUD was all about our LGBT brothers and sisters, but it can be related to so many other situations we are facing in our country today. The riots in Charlottesville, the refugee crisis all over the world. The immigration issues at the borders in Arizona and Texas.   
From an article in   "Deseret News article"Today, 17,000-plus people are coming out to say, you know what, we may have different beliefs, we may come from different backgrounds, different religions, different politics, different cultures, different ethnicities, but none of those things matter. We all can agree our LGBTQ youth need us." Dan Reynolds 
WE need to continue the conversation. We need to be courageous and stand up and make our voice heard.
 We need to walk with our eyes and hearts wide open. Pray each day for Heavenly Father to help us see those around us that may need a Smile, a hug, a lunch,  or maybe even something more that we can help facilitate.  
Know the numbers for the suicide   Hotline   1-866-488-7386 There are other resources such as    Encircle Provo  Which is expanding into other areas. Maybe you could volunteer in some way? Be a friend . Be a good neighbor
In Nephi chapter 11 vs. 16-17 when Nephi is asking questions of an angel,  This is the dialogue which follows 
 And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescensionof God?

17 And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.

Neither do I know the meaning of all things, but We do know that God loves his children. ALL OF THEM!

WE don't have to understand every bit of doctrine to be kind and loving . Its ok to have questions, to not understand how this is all going to play out. 

MANY , MANY of us do. That is ok too. WE can still move forward in Love . We will never be wrong by erring on the side of Love and compassion.

It is our responsibility as children of GOD to also LOVE His children.

 To help in whatever way we can 

What does that mean to you ?? Only you can answer that.

There are many Pride festivals coming up , maybe you can step out of your comfort zone and LOVE LOUD by showing up . 

By making a statement that even though you are a Mormon,Christian, Jew, or however you classify yourself ,  that you will not judge them.That you will be their friend. You will walk with them. Talk with them, and make sure they are not alone.  

IF we could all just strive to  LOVE Better ,I tihnk so many of the issues we face today would go away. These are just my thoughts, as I contemplate the events of this weekend.

 As a mother of a Gay son, it fills my heart with joy to see an  event such as this , and see so many who are willing to strive to Love a little better to maybe even

 LOVE LOUD !!  

You never now, you might just save a life