Example or Exception?

by Lynette Robinson

Our Example 

In my 59 years on this earth,

I've seen a few things.  I've known a time when I think citizens were proud of and trusted the government. In bygone days we have had good and decent men in all levels of state and federal government.  I think my mom trusted that if we were playing at a friend's house and got out of line, their parents would make sure we got corrected, although I don't really remember doing anything to get corrected over because we respected adults and feared what our parents would do to us if we were disobedient or disrespectful.  We stopped at stop signs not because a cop was watching but because it was the law.  

What happened?

Yesterday my husband and I stopped by a local sandwich shop.  A young boy, maybe 11 or 12 years old,  was in line alone, ahead of us, snapping at the sandwich maker, a teenage woman, about what he did and didn't want on his sandwich.  Not once did I hear him say please, his tone was somewhat condescending and not once did I hear him say thank you.  After he left I asked the employee if she thought he orders his parents around like that also.  She commented on how often she feels disrespected and wonders why some people seem so self centered.

Along those same lines I've seen lots of comments on social media about how people feel about others.  "I don't go to church because people are too judgmental."   "I'm not happy." "Don't tell me how to act, feel, believe."  

What Does Following Jesus Look Like?

I belong to a couple of online groups specifically geared to those of the Mormon faith, my faith.  These types of comments are all over those groups.  One comment I read was something along the lines that the Church needs to "get a clue" and realize that it is now a worldwide church and people can't possibly be expected to follow the same rules as in the U.S.  

This last comment was precipitated on a post about the strapless costumes at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii.  Can we possibly encourage modesty across the worldwide membership while honoring culture and tradition?  I believe that we can.  I believe that we can create a heritage for our

Can We Follow Counsel and Still Honor Culture?

children while also explaining that where we are now is not where we once were without attacking the doctrine and the mouthpiece for the Lord.   The Lord has counseled us to be modest in our dress, actions and speech.  A person who once used tobacco can turn from their old ways without degrading his past.  Any activity that is not part of the Lord's way can be left behind.  What is there in the past that is better than what the Lord has promised the faithful?

Do we want to be an example?

Elder Russell M Nelson quoted Paul when he said; "In a letter to one of his most trusted companions, Paul wrote to young Timothy, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”That counsel is just as valid for us now as it was then. It applies to our full-time missionaries; it applies equally to each member of the Church. Whether full-time missionaries or members, we should all be good examples of the believers in Jesus Christ. reference

Be Thou an Example of the Believers

President Boyd K Packer, apostle of the Lord stated in a speech given at BYU,  "But there is great power and great safety in holding to the scriptures and having an abounding obedience to our constituted priesthood authority. We are able to pray and receive revelation on our own, then to consider something like this letter from the First Presidency and to obediently say, “Lord, I don’t ask to be an exception.”  reference

We aren't perfect.  What does it hurt if we drop our guard? What if we aren't an example of the believers?   "The prophet Brigham Young said: “We should never permit ourselves to do anything that we are not willing to see our children do. We should set them an example that we wish them to imitate.”  Each of us can start today by being that good example."

Today I would like to invite you to “be … an example of the believers … in faith [and] in purity” 5 —two principles required for salvation.  (reference)

Emotion doesn't translate well online.  

What if, tongue in cheek, we answer a sincere online question with a smart alec remark, the inquirer has no idea you are joking and they think it is a valid and serious answer?  What if we suggest to another that they can live on the edge of obedience and not get burned because we've done it?  I'm sure that when judgement comes and that person that we have led astray will thank us for having a little fun even though they thought we were serious.  

Am I an Exception of an Example?

We are asked to do our best 

and the Lord will take up the slack.  Are we really doing our best?  If so, then absolutely, God has promised to consider our shortcomings and bridge where we could not jump.  He is a God of love more immense than we can imagine.  He, our Heavenly Mother and all of our spirit brothers and sisters said a fond farewell to us when we departed for mortality with the heartfelt prayer that we would somehow navigate this world and return to glory and joy with them. 

Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever. (reference)

It is in our best interest to be an example and not look to be an exception.

References

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/boyd-k-packer_follow-rule/

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/be-thou-an-example-of-the-believers?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2010/11/be-an-example-of-the-believers?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/tomorrow-the-lord-will-do-wonders-among-you?lang=eng
http://www.ldsliving.com/Why-There-Are-Tattoos-Strapless-Costumes-at-the-Polynesian-Cultural-Center/s/83359