Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship

My thoughts on Elder Hales' talk "Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship"

This was such a timely talk. Of course hind sight is 20-20. But having this come out a month before the fall out of the passing of Prop8 in California was miraculous--of course this is the LORD'S church after all.

Here are some comments I want to remember and comment on:

"Some people mistakenly think responses such as silence, meekness, forgiveness, and bearing humble testimony are passive or weak. But, to “love [our] enemies, bless them that curse [us], do good to them that hate [us], and pray for them which despitefully use [us], and persecute [us]” takes faith, strength, and, most of all, Christian courage."

When I was a little girl I was picked on in my neighborhood for my beliefs. My mom told me that it didn't matter what they said or thought of me, I was a bigger person because I walked way. Any person can strike back with words or fists, but it take a man (or woman) to walk away and not say anything. "Remember no one was converted because they got a bloody nose."

Elder hales said: "... we must never become contentious when we are discussing our faith." I wholeheartedly agree as well as think that we should always seek to rid our discussions of contention no matter the topic. You can disagree without contention and I need to learn that one better. My opinion is easily offended (maybe I need to read Elder Bednar's talk from a few years ago over).

"But true disciples of Christ see opportunity in the midst of opposition."

There is no such thing as bad press. I don't know about you, but I had the opportunity to talk about our belief in family and marriage in November with not only my family, but a non-member friend. She was aghast that some of her friends had picked on the Mormons because they stood up for what they believed. She came to me to get the skinny and I was able to tell her what I believe and what the church really believed. Thankfully we have the Proclamation on the family! I love that thing! Saves me in so many ways!

"We should never confuse boldness with Satan’s counterfeit: overbearance. True disciples speak with quiet confidence, not boastful pride."

I need to remember this even when I'm not confronted with doctrinal questions.

"We are always better staying on the higher ground of mutual respect and love."
Enough said!

"To be guileless is to have a childlike innocence, to be slow to take offense and quick to forgive.
"these qualities are first learned in the home and family and can be practiced in all our relationships."

I think I've fallen down in teaching my children these attributes. I think my example was/is poor and I need to repent. One of my goals is to not be easily offended at home and to forgive quickly and let it pass. Now to put it in practice.