Kindness and Long-Suffering

I'm kind of a loudmouth.  Anyone who keeps up with my Facebook page knows that I have strong opinions, and that I'm not afraid to defend those opinions.  It's not that I like to fight...it's just that I believe that there are some things that are worth fighting for.  Sometimes things just feel so backwards and upside down.  I truly believe that there are many great people in this world.  People who have strong values and morals.  People who are trying to have their voices heard.  People who will stand up and defend the things they believe in.  These people, however, are being intimidated and ignored by the media and many of our leaders.

For the things which some men esteem to be of great worth, both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample under their feet.  Yea, even the very God of Israel do men trample under their feet;...they set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels.

Almost daily, in the news, I see another instance of the world "setting Him at naught".  Whether it is trying to take His name out of the Pledge of Allegiance, ban prayer in public places, or take away someone's right to worship as they choose, we are trampling Him under our feet in the name of political correctness.  

In The Grotto, Portland OR          ©Darrell Wyatt

And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it.  Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.

Although Nephi was describing the days leading up to Christ's crucifixion, I believe that this verse very definitely applies to our day.  Jesus Christ atoned for the sins of all the world, not just for those of us who believe in him.  He atoned for the sins of those who would take any mention of him out of our schools.  He atoned for the sins of those who would mock him and take His name in vain, and he atoned for those who persecute His followers.  Why?  "Because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men".  

Every Sunday, I renew my covenant with the Lord that I will take upon myself His name, and always remember Him. I have a responsibility to defend His name from those who would scourge him and smite him and spit upon him.  I do not take this responsibility lightly.  I know that there are other people out there who share in this responsibility, and that together we can make a difference.  Just as Jesus showed kindness and long-suffering, so must we.  We have to remember that, no matter the conflict, every one of these people is a Child of God.  We can defend without being defensive.

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 18 

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 19