Unity and the Purpose of the Church

A few weeks ago, the Sunday School and Relief Society lessons gave me much food for thought. In Sunday School, we were asked, "What is the purpose of the Church?" And in Relief Society, "Why do you think it is unwise to expect perfection in members of our wards and branches?"

I feel it's unwise to do so because the perfect me is not the same as the perfect you. Heavenly Father made us all different on purpose. We each have our own talents, abilities, skills and experiences. All of us are at different stages on our paths of life. Our ideal of perfection is skewed by our own mortality. So how can we hold anyone to an ideal of perfection? Even our own self?

How many times have I resolved to be a little better? Tried only to do my best in whatever situation I was in, with the faith that Heavenly Father would help me...only to look back and see that I accomplished even more than I previously thought I could? While I might not have recognized what was happening while I was in the thick of things, inspired hindsight showed how all was magnified by Heavenly Father.

With all of our unique capabilities combined we can then fulfill the purpose of the Church, which is to let all of God's children know that He loves them, help them to feel and recognize it and show them how to get back to Him. We are all equipped to show forth God's love. And it manifests in ways that are divinely appointed to and developed by each of us.

Why is it unwise to expect perfection in members of our wards and branches? Because it's limiting. To ourselves and to those around us.