Becoming Men and Women of Christ:
We should be:
1. Meek and humble—not
self-concerned, dismissive, proud, seeking ascendancy. Blessed are the meek
because they are not easily offended. Besides, those who "shine as lights
in the world" have no need to seek the spotlight! (See Philippians 2:15.)
The world's spotlights are not only fleeting, but they employ inferior light!
2. Patient—not hectic, hurried,
pushy.
3. Full of love—not demanding,
dominating, manipulative, condescending, or harsh.
4. Gentle—not coarse, brusque, and
vindictive.
5. Easily entreated—not unapproachable,
inaccessible, and nonlistening.
6. Long-suffering—not impatient,
disinterested, curt, easily offended. There are so many people in the Church,
brothers and sisters, waiting to be offended. And it doesn't take long. If one
has a chip on his or her shoulder, you can't make it through the foyer, so to
speak, without getting it knocked off.
7. Submissive to God—not resistant
to the Spirit, counsel, and life's lessons.
8. Temperate (self-restrained)—not
egoistic, eager for attention and recognition, or too talkative. In your life
and mine, the great moments of commendation and correction have come usually in
one-liners.
9. Merciful—not judgmental and
unforgiving. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall know the caress of
causality as their forgiving mercy restores others to wholeness! Though God is
perfected in the attributes of justice and mercy, we read that, finally,
"Mercy overpowereth justice" (Alma 34:15).
10. Gracious—not tactless, easily
irritated, ungenerous.
11. Holy—not worldly.
Neal A. Maxwell was a member of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints when this fireside address was given at Brigham Young University on 31
March 1991.
