Merry Christmas!! I can say that without getting glared at now, since it is past Thanksgiving. I am so excited for the Holiday Season, it is my favorite time of year and I am very excited to see my family. I love the sense of giving and love that is in the air, it is just so great. In preparation for the Christmas season, I have been watching a lot of Christmas movies, particularly, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Anyone who knows me, knows I love that movie. I have literally watched it more than 10 times in the past two weeks. I have been thinking a lot about the story and how it compares to the gospel lately, and I want to share a few thoughts with you.
The Grinch, hates Christmas, the whole season in fact, lives on the top of mount Krumpet, high above the town of Whoville. We don't know what he does the rest of the year, but our green friend spends the holly jolly season hating the Whos and their love of Christmas. In the Grinch's eyes, its an extremely superficial holiday, where people are only concerned about buying and receiving presents wrapped in paper and bows. Cindy Lou, a small who girl, makes it her goal at some point in the movie to include him in the community and help him love Christmas too, and invites him to the Holiday Whobilation. She climbs to the top of Mount Crumpet, and ultimately convinces him to go.
Unfortunately, the celebration turns for the worst when the Antagonist Mayor of Whoville gives him the insensitive gift of a razor. The town goes crazy, and The Grinch storms back to mount crumpet, more determined than ever to ruin Christmas. He then decides to build a sleigh of sorts, and steal Christmas. He steals the Presents, the tree, and the Roast Beast. He even convinces his trusty dog, Max, to pose as a reindeer.
Christmas Morning, after climbing to the top of Mount Krumpet, The Grinch sits, waiting for the cries of tiny who girls and who fellas, exclaiming that Christmas is ruined. Much to his surprise, this doesn't happen. In fact, he sees the community of Whos joined together in love and song, celebrating their love for each other and their safety during this time. We see the Grinch come to a realization:
And his small heart, grew three sizes that day.
In the end, The Grinch joins the Whos and feels a love for Christmas he has never felt before.
How does this movie tie in with religious freedom, and defending our right to worship?
I am pretty sure I have shared this quote by President Monson before, but I will share it again.
The Whos, I believe, are a lot like us and our love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We rejoice in it, we live it, and we do our best to share it with others. But, of course, we are not perfect. We mess up, we don't include others, and sometimes we get too defensive in our religious opinions. Cindy Lou is the perfect example in this movie of this love. Though the Grinch was notorious for hating Christmas, and even the Whos in General, she did not let this fact keep her from inviting him to partake in the joy she felt. When the Grinch stole Christmas from the Whos, and he apologized, they welcomed him with open arms into their family. So it should be with us. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has many enemies, and we face people in our day to day lives who do not believe as we do. But it is always, ALWAYS our job to reach out in love to these people, despite what they believe. Regardless of how a person may treat you for what you believe, we must react in love.
In Alma 30:7-9, we receive a better understanding on what God's rule on religious freedom is:
7 Now there was no law against a man’s belief; for it was strictly contrary to the commands of God that there should be a law which should bring men on to unequal grounds.
8 For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.
9. Now if a man desired to serve God, it was his privilege; or rather, if he believed in God it was his privilege to serve him; but if he did not believe in him there was no law to punish him.
Now the Grinch hated Christmas, and lived on a mountain by his own choice, but he was never banished or put in prison or anything for his belief. He simply didn't agree with the Whos and left the community. The Whos didn't try to put him to death for having a different opinion. So why should we? God has given us all the right to worship the way we please, even if we choose to not believe in Him. This is something we must remember in light of religious conflict.
I love what Joseph Smith says about defending our rights, and the rights of others to worship how we may:
I think that speaks for itself.
Finally, President Oaks makes a wonderful statement about religious freedom:
It is beautiful how in the end of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Grinch realizes he was wrong all along and began to feel that love for Christmas that the Whos have been feeling all along. Unfortunately, thats not always how the real world works. People will hardly ever agree with you on your religious opinions or preferences. One of the greatest lessons we can learn is to accept everyone is different. In the end, our goals are the same. It preserve our rights, and like Elder Oaks said, live in happiness, harmony, and peace. We may have to compromise some things to achieve that goal, but it is well worth it in the end.
I love this beloved Christmas movie. I hope that this interesting take on religious freedom and a loved green creatures makes sense. I love you all and Happy Holidays!
