I won't I'm Mormon

Every now and then I'll post an unpublished work.  I was hoping this piece would be picked up by Mormon Times. No such luck, but I liked it enough to share it with you.

I won't, I'm Mormon

Created By: Jarrod Hiatt

I work in a very public place. I see all kinds of people on a daily basis. I see people of different faiths, races and professions. Unless there’s something unique about them, I typically won’t remember them. However, one day, a couple of years ago, I saw a man who donned a black t-shirt with a very unique message which read, “I can’t, I’m Mormon.” Since that day, my mind has locked the image of that man inside my head like Edmund Dantes in the Chateau d’if, keeping it prisoner until I can get it out.

Initially, I didn’t know what to think. Was he making a statement that he was proud of his faith? Or was he mocking members for choosing to live the gospel?

I’ve never been offended by the occasional green Jello-O jab by those who poke fun at our culture, but I certainly take exception when people openly mock our belief system. The shirt, in my opinion, did what it was designed to do; it got me thinking, in particular about agency and how church members choose to live their lives compared to the worldly views of others. The one thought that kept coming back to me was, “The shirt should have read, 'I won’t, I’m Mormon'.”

“I won’t,” is powerful. “I won’t,” especially in regards to what many in the world refer to as “fun,” is the essence of agency.

A perception held by many unfamiliar with the LDS faith is that members who actively choose to follow the gospel’s teachings, especially the Word of Wisdom or the Law of Chastity, live a drab, boring existence. This is certainly not the case.

“I won’t, I’m Mormon,” is a more accurate reflection of how church members are likely to feel about agency. “I can’t” is restrictive. “I can’t” implies the lack of choice. “I can’t” is a negative, one option approach to living the gospel. Wasn’t it Satan’s plan to eliminate choice? Wasn’t in Satan’s plan to force God’s children to meet the necessary requirements to live with Him again? Satan’s plan to force you and me and all of God’s children to follow the rules completely bypasses the concept of agency.

“I can’t” is the wrong approach to take when choosing to follow the commandments. It can create positive short-term results but is not an effective long-term approach to living the gospel.

A friend of mine, a faithful member of the church, had an “I won’t” story I found to be quite compelling.

He was invited to a party by some friends he attended school with. He knew what the party might be like but, against his better judgment and at the urging of his friends, went to the party.

Once there, he discovered quickly that this was not a place he should be. He knew he needed to leave but didn’t want to offend his friends. Within minutes, an acquaintance handed him a can of beer. He stared at the can in his hand, paused, and handed it back. After that, he left the party.

He wouldn’t. He was Mormon.

Jarrod M. Hiatt lives in Davis county with his wife and three kids. Jarrod graduated from Weber State University with a degree in journalism. He loves sports and loves to talk sports with anyone at anytime. Jarrod can be reached at jarrodhiatt@gmail.com