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Show (,31 »I guess I miss the dedication and clarity of the group. Everyone there seems so loving and moral," I said ingratiatingly, and to fill the silence. He sighed and shifted on his chair, folding his arms and hunkering over them. "Even among our people there is sin. One of the brethren - new to our people and weak in the ways of the Lord - has recently confessed to molesting his teen-aged daughter- She's pregnant." My mouth dropped open. "In the group?" He nodded. "There have been adulteries. There have been people who come to us, wanting us to .condon? unsanctioned marriages -'- ' affairs ! tluUHfl'l'S'y ' -U4--IWiLUJII »i uno mmim»«tf a I Even among my own children there have been crimes committed, debts unpaid!" I thought of my own sins and said nothing. I felt there was no way that anyone could supercede my own shortcomings. "So the trouble is everywhere," I sighed. He nodded. "It is even more troublesome for us because we hold such an awesome responsibility." This seemed my opening, my chance to express my thoughts and feelings. "And yet, isn't it true that everyone must take responsibility for her own soul?" My father nodded. "But so many people come to you, trying to give you responsibility for their decisions." He nodded again. "I'm blessed to be of service, but they would grow more rapidly if they'd do the deciding on their own." "So you think it is all right to let them escape personal responsibility, to put the blame on you?" "None of us escape our tests,' he said. |