Alma's wise words to his son Shiblon were as follows: "And now, as ye have begun to teach the word … I would that that ye would be diligent and temperate in all things. See that ye are not lifted up unto pride… . Use boldness, but not overbearance… . Do not say: O God, I thank thee that we are better than our brethren; but rather say: O God, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy…" (see Alma 38: 10-14).
If we are trying to love others and teach them, we CANNOT do so with a sense of pride, self-righteousness, and an attitude of superiority.
To teach is to be lovingly engaged with those with who need teaching. As Jesus taught: The healthy have no need for a physician (Luke 5:31), but we do NOT treat patients by bragging about our own health. The sins and faults of the "patient" are irrelevant to love. The job of the Christian teacher is compassion NOT condemnation. The gospel, not us, is the medicine.
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2 comments:
President George Albert Smith when he became an Apostle wrote our his personal creed which I taught in Institute. I rather enjoyed it and have been keeping it in mind while going about my day to day, hoping to live up to it as well.
“I would be a friend to the friendless and find joy in ministering to the needs of the poor. I would visit the sick and afflicted and inspire in them a desire for faith to be healed. I would teach the truth to the understanding and blessing of all mankind. I would seek out the erring one and try to win him back to a righteous and a happy life. I would not seek to force people to live up to my ideals but rather love them into doing the thing that is right. I would live with the masses and help to solve their problems that their earth life may be happy. I would avoid the publicity of high positions and discourage the flattery of thoughtless friends. I would not knowingly wound the feeling of any, not even one who may have wronged me, but would seek to do him good and make him my friend. I would overcome the tendency to selfishness and jealousy and rejoice in the successes of all the children of my Heavenly Father. I would not be an enemy to any living soul. Knowing that the Redeemer of mankind has offered to the world the only plan that will fully develop us and make us really happy here and hereafter I feel it not only a duty but a blessed privilege to disseminate this truth"
Son#1
Son#1:
Your quote from Pres. Geo. Albert Smith hit the spot. It is perfect.
Someone really needs to write his biography!!
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