22 March 2009

Becoming a Peacemaker

The last two weeks at church, the lessons have seemed to revolve around being peacemakers. I guess I need to have those lessons. Although Eric is a good peacemaker, he's married to a person who can get very frustrated with people and situations. I'm trying to do better and be better, but it is a long, long pathway for me to become a peacemaker.
I have to say that it is interesting that these lessons happened at this time, although they were set this way prior to current situations. During the third hour of church, we split apart and have the men's meeting (priesthood) and the women's meeting (relief society). We have a teaching manual that is based off of different teachings of the modern prophets (the second hour, sunday school, is largely based from ancient scripture). At the beginning of 2008, the manual was released with the teachings of Joseph Smith. We are now over a year's worth of Sundays (and therefore, lessons) into the manual. Currently there is some hubbub going on around a particular television show that perhaps paints The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints in a less than flattering manner. Some church members have become offended at this and have wanted the Church to do something about it. The Church HAS done something about it...just not what these people felt should have been done. Setting a perfect example, church authorities have made a declaration that members are NOT encouraged to boycott or otherwise become an antagonistic people. Instead, we should be the peacemakers. An article on this matter can be read at http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-publicity-dilemma.
In this and other matters, we should recognize that becoming defensive is usually brought on by pride. Pride in not wanting someone to think of you in a particular manner. Let our actions and attitudes reflect those of the Savior's and others will better learn by that example than by upset words.

1 comment:

The Roes said...

Amen. I never felt offended that the show you've mentioned was doing the things they are doing. I try to remember about how often the early members of the church were counseled to 'turn the other cheek'. After being run out of town time and time again, it would be difficult to keep turning the other cheek. I try to continue to turn the other cheek as these things continue. It's easy to take offense. (falin - I think I'm being told something here. hahah)