I realized recently (within the last few years) that all of these thoughts are connected:
From 3 Nephi 12:
11 And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake;
12 For ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.
13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the salt of the earth; but if the salt shall lose its savor wherewith shall the earth be salted? The salt shall be thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house;
16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Salt that has lost its savor = those who grow contentious and revile against revilers.
Light that cannot be hid = those who remain peaceful and keep the commandments, "wise as serpents and as harmless as doves." That light CANNOT be hid. Sometimes we talk to youth about "letting your light shine", as a way to say "don't be shy," but the real message here is that "revilings and persecutions from those who speak evil falsely will not prevail--God himself will ensure that your example is like a light that he has put on a candlestick, and will shine brightly to those watching."
THEREFORE, our primary job is not to argue but to lead by example.
44 But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good.
--
I could not love thee dear, so much,
Loved I not honor more.
From 3 Nephi 12:
11 And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake;
12 For ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.
13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the salt of the earth; but if the salt shall lose its savor wherewith shall the earth be salted? The salt shall be thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house;
16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Salt that has lost its savor = those who grow contentious and revile against revilers.
Light that cannot be hid = those who remain peaceful and keep the commandments, "wise as serpents and as harmless as doves." That light CANNOT be hid. Sometimes we talk to youth about "letting your light shine", as a way to say "don't be shy," but the real message here is that "revilings and persecutions from those who speak evil falsely will not prevail--God himself will ensure that your example is like a light that he has put on a candlestick, and will shine brightly to those watching."
THEREFORE, our primary job is not to argue but to lead by example.
44 But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good.
--
I could not love thee dear, so much,
Loved I not honor more.
