The Quote {being offended}

I realize that people say things, well, wrong.
Heaven knows I do this ALL the time.
Humans tend to “speak their mind”. It is not easy to remember to “think before you speak”.
I often wish my words had a ten second delay… giving me the opportunity to sensor, revise or delete.
But things are said that cannot be taken back.
Feelings are hurt. People become offended.
I have been the giver and recipient.

The single, most important [and perhaps the most difficult] thing to remember is this…
Offence it taken, not given.

When we believe or  we have been offended, we usually mean we feel insulted, mistreated, snubbed, or disrespected. And certainly clumsy, embarrassing, unprincipled, and mean-spirited things do occur in our interactions with other people that would allow us to take offense. However, it ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else.

David A. Bednar  … And Nothing Shall Offend Them [October 2006 General Conference]
(You can listen to, or read his talk HERE.)

How easy it is for us to blame others for our feelings.
It’s hard to look inward and take responsibility for how we react to things that are said [or not said].
After all, if we take the responsibly, we have to do the work to “fix” it within ourselves.
But that can be easy too, through the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Psalm 119:165 … Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

the plan of happiness

The events that transpired between December 21st and January 10th were difficult.
It was a roller coaster ride of fighting for life and recovery and fighting for peace and reunions.
Consuelo was torn between two worlds.
I truly believe that when she called the names of loved ones
she did not do so out of confusion or delirium.
She was with those people.
They were with her.
Comforting her, as we were.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,
I know that there is life after death.
I know that we lived with God before we were sent here to earth.
I know that he has a plan for all of His children.
I know that our life here on earth, while not always easy, has a purpose.
We gain a mortal body that is tested and tried.
We feel pain and sorrow.
We are tempted and we sin, because we are not perfect.
Because we are not perfect, God sent His only begotten Son.
Through Him, we can become perfect, by repenting, by accepting His atonement.
It is also through His atonement, that we can receive strength as we face our trials.
Pain. Sorrow. Grief.
If we follow Gods plan.
If we keep His commandments and follow the example of His perfect Son,
even, Jesus Christ, we can be happy.
The knowledge that we have of this great plan of happiness
has given us all that we needed during those three weeks.
We knew, that no matter what the end result was,
Consuelo would be with loved ones.
Whether here on earth, or on the other side.

There is life after death.
There is a sealing power that links our family together FOREVER!
And that makes me happy.

{Your can learn more HERE}

change

Today, we were released from the Bishopric of the Young Single Adult Ward
where we have served with our heart and soul for three years.
It is customary, for the departing bishopric and their wives to share a few words
and bear a testimony to the members of the ward.

This is what I shared today….

Often, a returned missionary will recite these words when reflecting on their mission….
”they were the best two years of my life!”
Today, I get it.
The last three years were the best three years of my life.

Because of the members of the Crescent View Young Single Adult Ward
I have more hope in the future.
I have increased faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ.
I have a greater desire to serve others.
I have a deeper love for the temple.
I have an enthusiasm for family history work.
I have a stronger testimony of the Gospel.

What makes today so difficult for me is this…
I don’t get to express my love to each member of the ward and then go sit down.
I have to leave.

What makes today so easy for me is knowing that three men and their wives
were called through inspiration to love and serve the ward in ways
that we could not.

What makes today so special for me is that I get to share my testimony to the people I love.
I know that the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
is the complete restoration of Christ’s original church.
I know that we have true and living prophets today that teach us and guide us.
I know that though simple obedience to God’s commandments, and through the atonement, we can
return to live with our Heavenly Father.
I know that the Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ.
I know that the Book of Mormon  is full of messages, relevant to the problems we face today.
I know that as we study the scriptures, we will receive answers.
I know that our Savior, Jesus Christ loves each one of us... personally.
He knows us. He is with us. We are never alone.

A British philosopher once said

The only way to make sense out of change is to
plunge into it,
move with it,
and join the dance.
(Alan W. Watts)

So… Let’s go dance!

boasting

I work full time. I serve in my church. I live in a neighborhood. I have friends.
I say this, not to boast, but to point out that I am exposed to all sorts of people. Often.
I hear many things.
Mostly interesting, funny, and uplifting.
Sometimes annoying, inappropriate, or  irritating.
On thing that irritates me is the constant boasting that is exhibited by a select few.
You know the – my kid was accepted to Harvard but chose to go to State College – type.

I often wonder, are these individuals even aware of how they come off to others?
Me?I Besides feeling uncomfortable being around these individuals, I feel SAD.
Sad that they are so insecure, so starved for attention, so unaware of others,
or even unaware of what they are doing. I also feel worried.
Worried, that I too, can easily fall into this category.

It seems to me, that if we direct our gratitude upward. If we acknowledge all of our blessings and successes to the Divine Being,
the person from which they came, then – and only then – will we be following the example of our Savior.
This was reinforced in my mind as I stumbled upon a Conference talk from April 1990…

In our conversations and conduct we can be much more effective if we avoid the demeaning effect of that which could be classified as boasting. We should wisely let others become aware of accomplishments by observations rather than to have us appear to flaunt them before the world. Boasting diminishes credibility and too often alienates friends, co-workers, family members, and even those who may observe us from a distance….

Consideration for the feelings of others should always be important to worthy Latter-day Saints. Rightfully we may be happy about the number of children with which we have been blessed, the missionaries who have served, the temple marriages of our offspring, and the accomplishments of family members; but others who are not so fortunate may have feelings of guilt or inadequacy. They may have been praying long and hard for the same blessings about which we are boasting. These people may feel that they are out of favor with God.

For this reason our appreciation should be sincerely felt and gratitude expressed frequently to our Father in Heaven
- but not too vocally to the world.

We would all do well to take a lesson from the Savior, who repeatedly acknowledged and gave credit to the Father in all things.

~Marvin J Ashton (read his full Conference address  HERE)

I am so grateful for such great, faithful men of God that are not afraid to teach us the things that we need to hear,
things that will draw us closer to our  Father in Heaven and our Savior.
I am grateful for this weekend, for General Conference where I will once again be edified and uplifted.
Were I can become renewed in my desire, and my actions, to be obedient and to follow the example of  Jesus Christ.…
You too, can watch it live…HERE…  [Saturday October 4th 10 AM, 2 PM / Sunday October 5th 10 AM, 2 PM]