I think of those many times over the years when I have taken offense. At times I have, unwittingly or intentionally given offense (because circumstances seemed to warrant it…?!). So where was the spirit of the Lord?… when I had such ‘righteous indignation?’ Well, it wasn’t with me!… for a time I went about life with a dark cloud over my head. The father of lies, the adversary, was leading me along to believe that which was not so. Even if it were so, why should I allow him, or negative events, circumstances to take me away from that sweet, holy, ‘productive for the Lord’… place of peace and joy? How many times have I ‘ruminated’ over a perceived offense, stuck on the issue, only to find out the circumstances were totally opposite and I had a ‘waste of worry’ / negative energy mode lasting days, weeks or longer. I was experiencing the approach to life of the damned! Progress on the Lord’s path was stopped the same as water is stopped by an earthen dam.
I remember too who is really hurt should I choose to follow worldly media hype in ‘defense of principle’. Clearly stated God’s truth comes from the Lord’s authorized servants as in days of old, when He… then Peter and the Apostles taught such foundational truths. Those offended by Christ’s truths, chose the sidelines volunteering for the error or a ‘lesser’ portion of the word’ (Alma 12:10-11) to their own condemnation. Today anyone choosing to embrace and become educated by worldly media, become changed with the flaky instant gratification thereof (driven, tossed with every wind of [worldly] doctrine.([i] James 1:6, & [ii] Mormon 5:18.) They will also have a reward equivalent to their choices and ‘devotion’. In the meantime we who love the Lord, will love those who oppose him too, as He loved them. He always loved the sinner, but not the sin.
In all this, Christ will not take away my agency and ‘force’ light and truth upon me. I must sincerely want it. No one will be coerced into heaven. I strive to choose Him and his path, continually. kdm
A Prophet of the Lord, President Howard W. Hunter, said this for those who have become offended: “To those who have transgressed or been offended, we say, come back. To those who are hurt and struggling and afraid, we say, let us stand with you and dry your tears. To those who are confused and assailed by error on every side, we say, come to the God of all truth and the Church of continuing revelation. Come back. Stand with us. Carry on. Be believing. All is well, and all will be well. Feast at the table laid before you in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and strive to follow the Good Shepherd who has provided it. Have hope, exert faith, receive—and give—charity, the pure love of Christ.”1
