Christian Courage

I especially enjoyed the talk by Robert Hales about Christian Courage in the Sunday morning session of conference. He addressed the attacks on the Church and appropriate, Christian ways to respond. His theme was Christian Courage. Here's a segment I liked and he says what I have felt - that Satan rejoices when Christians bash one another:

As almost every missionary learns, Bible bashing always drives the Spirit away. The Savior has said: “He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me (3 Nephi 11:29). More regrettable than the Church being accused of not being Christian is when Church members react to such accusations in an un-Christ-like way! May our conversations with others always be marked by the fruits of the Spirit—“love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness [and] temperance” ( Ga. 5: 22-23). To be meek as defined by Webster's Dictionary is “manifesting patience and longsuffering; enduring injury without resentment.” Meekness is not weakness. It is a badge of Christian courage.

This is especially important in our interactions with members of other Christian denominations. Surely our Heavenly Father is saddened—and the devil laughs—when we contentiously debate doctrinal differences with out Christian neighbors.

I suppose now more than ever, I feel an urgency for people who value decency and righteousness to pull together against the common enemy. We must preserve our families, our health and safety in our world. We won't accomplish this by fighting each other.

Oh, and happy birthday, Steve!