"During a perilous period of war, an exchange of letters occurredbetween Moroni, the captain of the Nephite armies, and Pahoran, the chief
judge and governor of the land. Moroni, whose army was suffering because of
inadequate support from the government, wrote to Pahoran 'by the way of
condemnation' (Alma 60:2) and harshly accused him of thoughtlessness,
slothfulness, and neglect. Pahoran might easily have resented Moroni and
his message, but he chose not to take offense. Pahoran responded
compassionately and described a rebellion against the government about
which Moroni was not aware. And then he responded, 'Behold, I say unto
you, Moroni, that I do not joy in your great afflictions, yea, it grieves
my soul. . . . And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it
mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your
heart' (Alma 61:2, 9).
"One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the weaknesses, the inexperience, and the potentially offensive actions of others. A thing, an event, or an expression may be offensive, but you and I can choose not to be offended--and to say with Pahoran, 'it mattereth not.'"
(David A. Bednar, "And Nothing Shall Offend Them," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 91)
2 comments:
Sandy you certainly respond well. I am sure that you will have it made.
I think Pahoran's response is one of the best examples in the Book of Mormon. If we could all take less offense, I think there would be many less active members.
This is Will
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