Have you ever heard the word “ally” before?
Usually you hear it in the context of LGBT activism.
This is what all-knowing Wikipedia has to say about what an ally is.
“A straight ally or heterosexual ally is a heterosexual and/or cisgender person who supports equal civil rights, gender equality, LGBT social movements, and challenges homophobia, biphobia and transphobia,” wrote Wikipedia. “Despite this, some people who meet this definition do not identify themselves as straight allies. A straight ally believes that LGBT people face discrimination and thus are socially and economically disadvantaged. They aim to use their position as heterosexual and/or cisgender individuals in a society focused on heteronormativity to fight homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.”
Basically an ally is someone who isn’t in “the group,” advocating for “the group’s” rights.
Photo Credit goes to Buzzfeed.
That’s why you have straight allies like Beyonce, black allies like Macklemore and male feminists like Aziz Ansari. They use they’re fame or privilege or whatever to advocate for someone else.
GLAAD explained how important straight allies are to their activism.
“A straight ally can merely be someone who is supportive and accepts the LGBT person, or a straight ally can be someone who personally advocates for equal rights and fair treatment,” wrote GLAAD.” Allies are some of the most effective and powerful voices of the LGBT movement. Not only do allies help people in the coming-out process, they also help others understand the importance of equality, fairness, acceptance and mutual respect.”
Now the question is, what does this have to do with Mormonism?
The entire idea behind Mormonism is that God sent his son to die for out sins. He then established a chain of authority called the Priesthood in order to help us take full advantage of Christ’s atonement.
We, as members of the LDS Church, are Christ’s allies. We are not perfect like him. But we speak to other imperfect people about him.
Click on any Buzzfeed, Huffington Post or Salon article and you’ll see allies praised as “brave,” “bad-A,” or the ever-confusing “goals.”
When we’re allies for Christ, we get this:
“Sadly, the Mormon faith has become a place that incentivizes the survival of the least fit,” wrote She-Who-Will-Not-Be-Named. “Since strict obedience is demanded and harshly enforced, only the least talented, least articulate, least nuanced thinkers, least likely to take a stand against abuse, and the least courageous people thrive in the Church today.”
Sorry, She-Who-Will-Not-Be-Named, Zelph on the Shelf and r/exmormon, Mormons aren’t idiots. We’re allies.
In my personal opinion, this concept of being Christ’s ally is no more ridiculous than being an ally for anyone else.
Both are groups advocating for someone else.
Both of us have not experienced what the other has experienced but we have faith that what they’re saying is worth advocating for.
I see Feminist Home Evening and I think, cultural appropriation.
I see people who always assume the church is in the wrong and I think, microagression.
I see people on Facebook denying church statements with anecdotal evidence and I think, gaslighting.
I don’t identify as a republican, democrat, libertarian, socialist, feminist, men’s rights activist, straight ally or civil rights activist.
But I do identify as a Mormon and a Christian.
That makes me Christ’s ally.
Every one of us who was baptized said we were going to be allies for Christ.
Let’s do a little better as we advocate for him.