Monday, February 29, 2016

Bridle Your Passions


Notice that Alma says nothing about burying, hiding, or killing our passions, but rather bridling them. Also note that the purpose for bridling our passions is so that we may be filled with love. Allowing our passions to run free and uncontrolled may seem tempting, but if we will control them--rather than allow them to control us--we can put them to good use and become creatures of deliberate acts of love rather than uncontrolled acts of passion.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Quench Not The Spirit


If there's someone who does an even better job than Alma at making me feel chastised, it's Jacob!  And When we feel chastised or when we hear someone (whether the Spirit or someone else) tell us something we need to improve on, our first instinct is often to "quench" that thought.  But when we accept correction with humility, we will be better able to improve ourselves and overcome our weaknesses.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Mock Not Thy Brother


It's sobering to remember that Alma was addressing members of the Church in Alma chapter 5.  These verses in particular stuck out to me when I read them.  It's almost second nature, especially online, to be condescending and rude to enemies, strangers, and even friends and family when interacting with them.  We should heed Alma's loving yet stern warning and try to remove these negative interactions from our lives.  Let us be kind to one another.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Reprove With Love


Probably one of the most important and tricky things to learn as a parent is how to discipline our children so they learn right from wrong, while always making sure they know they are loved, regardless of what they do. D&C 121: 43-44 explains how we are to reprove with sharpness when necessary, but then show forth an increase of love.
Even though I've only been a parent for two years now, I've been able to practice this principle and see its effectiveness in raising my daughter. There have been days (and I'm sure there will be many, many more!) when she's been quite the troublemaker. But when disciplining her, I try to remember to also show her that I love her. And she, bless her heart, is so quick to forgive, even after being very upset for being put on timeout for the third time in one day!
I am of course not a perfect parent. But I'm trying to be more like the One who is by following His counsel.