From Neal A. Maxwell’s book “. . . A More Excellent Way”
(Quoting C.S. Lewis:) It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which . . . you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long, we are in some degree, helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations—these are mortal and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. ~C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory. (Grand Rapids Michigan, The William B. Eerdmans Publishing Do, 1965) pp. 14-15
We have in the scriptures stark reminders of our responsibilities to each other, and also fascinating and encouraging case studies which show us the power of the gospel to change lives. In these cases we see how these men and women let the gospel operate on them to bring about profound changes. Imbedded in these changes are clues for us as leaders as we use the gospel to change our own life in an affirmative way, and the lives of those we seek to lead.
Under the influence of Christ’s teachings, Peter developed from an obscure fisherman to the presidency of the Church. Once uncertain and even somewhat fearful, he became virtually fearless.
There is an initial clue to Peter in the New Testament when it says of his first reaction to Jesus’ call “and they straightway left their nets and followed him.” There was in Peter a kind of inner-gyroscope. He knew when to respond obediently and without hesitation or rationalization. This trait—the ability to respond almost instinctively or spontaneously—he carried with him throughout his life. While we sometimes think of Peter’s spontaneity as being related to his earlier impulsiveness in certain errors he made, we should also remember his spontaneity for episodes such as his quick and correct response to the lame man who sought alms: “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have I give thee: “. . . In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” (Act 3:6.) Our need for authenticity in our relations with others in the midst of so much pseudo-sophistication could be met if there were more spontaneity, if we could act out or say “such as I have I give thee” without elaborate forethought and calculation as to what we really have is really needed. We are often so certain that our words to others don’t matter; we are often so wrong. ~Neal A. Maxwell, . . . A More Excellent Way (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1967), 37-38 (continued)
