Sheltered

People often say to us LDS members that we live sheltered lives as if to criticize us. But really, is living a sheltered life such a bad thing? I was reading the news today and not one story was uplifting or happy. I read reports of police breaking up a child pornograpy ring, of an 11 year old Hindu girl marring a 13 year old boy, deadly riots in Thailand, police on trial for supposedly torturing suspects, a 23 year old girl missing after going hiking by herself, innocent people dying in gang fights in Jamaica. And I am left wondering which of these stories of the "real world" are supposed to make me regret my happy and sheltered lifestyle. I grew up in a loving home with both of my parents, we said morning prayers and ate dinner as a family. My parents helped me with my homework and my bothers and sister taught me how to ride a bike. We took family vacations and attended church every Sunday. Although my life certainly was not perfect, as really no ones life is, but it certainly was an idyllic childhood full of happy memories. And in today's world such a life certainly is a rarity. And don't we value those things that are rare and exclusive? Why then am I treated as ignorant and simple minded not not having lived a life of strife and turmoil that is so prevalent across the world. I am truly grateful for my parents and the way I was raised. I am grateful for my religion and the happiness it has brought to all aspects of my life. I am grateful for my sheltered life and am very glad to be able to pass that innocence along to my children.