Mormon Musings

Brooding over temptations can produce self pity and a false sense of nobility. Prolonged consideration of the temptation only increases the risks—but it does not increase our options; the two options and the consequences remain the same regardless of our dallying. Moreover, protracted consideration of a temptation does not increase the justification to succumb—only our rationalization. When we are well taught we know, initially, what must be done. Therefore, to give heed to temptation is, in effect, to “give place” for Satan’s seeds to grow and sprout and to bring forth its bitter harvest. So it was that Jesus, for the first recorded time, met the awful if . It was a word to be repeated later when the stress was even greater. So we should do likewise. Otherwise, to host an if is like hosting an insect that breeds and multiplies in the sun of circumstance. Soon one is crawling with ifs and thereby overcome. Some doubters who are overcome even become proud of their doubts—rather like...

“Every person who lives in this world wields an influence, whether for good or for evil. It is not what he says alone; it is not alone what he does. It is what he is. ...Every person radiates what he or she really is. ...It is what we are and what we radiate that effects the people around us.”  ~President David O. McKay

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1979/08/jesus-the-perfect-leader?lang=eng

13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the salt of the earth; but if the salt shall lose its savor wherewith shall the earth be salted? The salt shall be thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay,but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house; 16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 3 Nephi 12:13-16

None of us lives for himself alone.  Others are following in our footsteps, watching carefully, and taking license from the things we say and the things we do.  When we have doubts, it is wise to keep them to ourselves and to ponder on them and study and pray and inquire.   One by one they are resolved.  When we have questions that are unresolved, it is wise to take them on faith.  Otherwise it may be that we will enjoy the fruits of the Gospel and never stray "too" far, and yet those who come after us who depend upon us most may be robbed of their spiritual inheritance.  They may forsake the standards and become inelegible for those redeeming ordinances that makes life eternally happy. Boyd K. Packer, "Teach Ye Diligently", (Deseret Book Company, 1975), p. 181

 Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words. Saint Francis of Assisi, as quoted by Dieter F. Uchtdorf in April 2011 General Conference http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/waiting-on-the-road-to-damascus?lang=eng

We are mirrors whose brightness, if we are bright, is wholly derived from the sun that shines upon us. C.S. Lewis Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do. 3 Nephi 18:24

We should never permit ourselves to do anything that we are not willing to see our children do.  We should set an example for them to imitate.  Do we realize this?  How often we see parents demand obedience, good behavior, kind words, pleasant looks, a sweet voice and a bright eye from a child or children when they themselves are full of bitterness and scolding!  How inconsistent and unreasonable this is! Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 208

A consecrated life is a beautiful thing. Its strength and serenity are “as a very fruitful tree which is planted in a goodly land, by a pure stream, that yieldeth much precious fruit” ( D&C 97:9 ). Of particular significance is the influence of a consecrated man or woman upon others, especially those closest and dearest. The consecration of many who have gone before us and others who live among us has helped lay the foundation for our happiness. In like manner future generations will take courage from your consecrated life, acknowledging their debt to you for the possession of all that truly matters. May we consecrate ourselves as sons and daughters of God, “that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope” ( Moroni 7:48 ; see also  1 John 3:2 ) D. Todd Christofferson, October 2010 General Conference

"Every man is a missionary now and forever, for good or for evil--whether he intends or designs it or not. He may be a blot, radiating a dark influence outward to the very circumference of society, or he may be a blessing, spreading benediction over the length and breadth of the world; but a blank he cannot be. There are no moral blanks, there are no neutral persons. We are either the darkness that sows and corrupts, or the light that splendidly illuminates, and the salt that silently operates, but being dead or alive, every man speaks." Steven L. Richards