There is a Biblical teaching “Be ye in the world, but not of the world.”
This quote does not actually appear in scripture verbatim, but it does represents the teachings of Jesus and the prophets and apostles. See Matthew 16:26, Mark 8:36, John 15:19, Romans 12:2, 1 John 2:15-17.
Those of us with autism/Asperger’s often feel that we are from another planet… So being “not of the world” is remarkably easy. But simply being “in the world” can be quite a challenge…
- Tom Irvine
Please God, please, don’t let me be normal!
(Luisa, Monologue from The Fantasticks)
The following is an experimental essay which considers that Christ himself displayed some autistic behavior at times during his mortal ministry. This is just a collection of thoughts, not intended to convey any doctrine.
Please click on the following link to view the essay.
Christ-like Attributes and Behaviors in Autistic and Special Needs Children
- Tom Irvine
This cartoon could be transposed to a church setting.
Some are lost because they are different. They feel as though they don’t belong. Perhaps because they are different, they find themselves slipping away from the flock. They may look, act, think, and speak differently than those around them and that sometimes causes them to assume they don’t fit in. They conclude that they are not needed.
Tied to this misconception is the erroneous belief that all members of the Church should look, talk, and be alike. The Lord did not people the earth with a vibrant orchestra of personalities only to value the piccolos of the world. Every instrument is precious and adds to the complex beauty of the symphony. All of Heavenly Father’s children are different in some degree, yet each has his own beautiful sound that adds depth and richness to the whole.
This variety of creation itself is a testament of how the Lord values all His children.
Concern for the One, April 2008 General Conference
Brother Aspie had been feeling overwhelmed by buffeting trials. He decided that he needed to go to the Temple to seek some measure of peace. So he went to his church leaders for the two temple recommend interviews.
He made it past the bishopric-level interview just fine. Then he went to the stake president’s office for his final interview.
As it turned out, the second councilor, President Hard Nose, was there to interview Brother Aspie.
The result was an absolute disaster which drove Brother Aspie into psychotherapy. Brother Aspie did receive his recommend in a Pyrrhic victory sort of way.
Most of what happened during and after the interview is best left unsaid…
Among many problems was Brother Aspie’s scrupulous honesty. As President Hard Nose asked about church attendance, Brother Aspie remembered that one Sunday he had stayed home after making a Saturday night, 400 mile round-trip drive to a distant city to retrieve his wife’s cousin whose car had broken down.
Brother Aspie started to tell President Hard Nose that he missed the meetings the Sunday thereafter because he was too tired… But President Hard Nose’s verbal dagger swiftly pierced Aspie’s soul yet again… Aspie was shaken too much to explain the reason for his absence….
Two years later, Aspie finally regained composure to approach President Hard Nose and gently asked President why he had been so angry toward him. President Hard Nose had absolutely no recollection of the previous interview but nevertheless apologized.
The purpose of this entry is NOT to cast dispersions on priesthood leaders. They render countless hours of service in very demanding callings.
The purpose is to draw attention to the types of problems that church leaders and Aspies sometimes have one with another.
Aspies are often as lightning rods for the anger of others.
In addition, Brother Aspie learned that unless he has a grevious sin, he should simply answer the temple recommend interviews “yes” or “no” without reflection or commentary. (Aspies tend not to have grevious sins anyway because they care little for worldly pleasures.)
* * *
To be presumed guilty until proven innocent is devastating to an Aspie.
Priesthood leaders would do well to treat Aspie Temple recommend interviewees as if they were primary children coming in for a baptismal interview.
But since leaders may be unfamilar with the autistic spectrum, they would do well to treat everyone with gentleness.
Every mortal has his share of soul wounds regardless of brain wiring. Thus we must treat one another with kindness.
Jesus taught
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. Luke 6:31
This teaching is the “Golden Rule.”
tomirvine999