I have watched sports fans vilify and demonize their rivals. They look for any flaw and magnify it. They justify their hatred with broad generalizations and apply them to everyone associated with the other team. When ill fortune afflicts their rival, they rejoice.
Brethren, unfortunately we see today too often the same kind of attitude and behavior spill over into the public discourse of politics, ethnicity, and religion.
My dear brethren of the priesthood, my beloved fellow disciples of the gentle Christ, should we not hold ourselves to a higher standard? As priesthood bearers, we must realize that all of God’s children wear the same jersey. Our team is the brotherhood of man. This mortal life is our playing field. Our goal is to learn to love God and to extend that same love toward our fellowman. We are here to live according to His law and establish the kingdom of God. We are here to build, uplift, treat fairly, and encourage all of Heavenly Father’s children.
--Dieter F. Uchtdorf "Pride and the Priesthood"
Mrs. L challenged her seminary class before Conference Weekend last October to ponder what question they hoped would be addressed. That evening, at dinner, she talked about doing it as a family. I remember feeling instantly hopeful to hear something about the level of animosity and personal hostility in political rhetoric. It is disheartening to hear the truly hate-filled language that people on the opposite sides of issues use to characterize their opponents.
So when Elder Uchtdorf said the above paragraphs, I totally elbowed Max and whispered, "This is it! This is the one I was waiting for!"
1 comment:
Looks like I need to reread Priesthood Meeting. It's harder to remember what I didn't hear.
Post a Comment