Devotional: "The spirit of the gospel is optimistic"

"The spirit of the gospel is optimistic; it trusts in God and looks on the bright side of things. The opposite or pessimistic spirit drags men down and away from God, looks on the dark side, murmurs, complains, and is slow to yield obedience.” 

Elder Orson F. Whitney, April 1917 General Conference


"None of us is perfect. I know of no one who would profess to be so. And yet for some reason, despite our own imperfections, we have a tendency to point out those of others. We make judgments concerning their actions or inactions. 


There is really no way we can know the heart, the intentions, or the circumstances of someone who might say or do something we find reason to criticize. 


I consider charity—or “the pure love of Christ”—to be the opposite of criticism and judging. In speaking of charity, I do not at this moment have in mind the relief of the suffering through the giving of our substance. That, of course, is necessary and proper. Tonight, however, I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient. 

I have in mind the charity that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others.


There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere.


Needed is the charity which refuses to find satisfaction in hearing or in repeating the reports of misfortunes that come to others, unless by so doing, the unfortunate one may be benefited. 


Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others." 


President Thomas S. Monson, September 2010 General Relief Society Meeting 


We live in a hyper critical society. A society where the Internet is filled with tweets, blogs and message boards dedicated to nothing else then tearing someone else down, seething with anger. Where people "tweet" or leave messages on comment sections and message boards to tell the world how horrible something or someone is or whatever facet of it they might be commenting on. If the digital collective were to be given a physical embodiment it would be a black hole, that exchanges light for darkness. That same attitude is seeping into our culture. Everyone has an opinion and feels that they are entitled to have it heard. While this is true in a sense, it is important that the opinion shared needs to be thoughtful and civil, adding to and enriching the conversation not just housed in anger and ignorance. The greatest gift we have to offer the world as Latter Day Saints is our optimism and charity. As we are filled with the pure love of Christ, we seek to share that same love with those around us. Do we strive to center ourselves on Christ, that we may feel of his love for us or are we critical, looking for flaws and imperfections, weighing down an already burdened soul? Or do we seek to bring out the best in another through our words and actions. Building friendships and making connections; Beckoning others to come unto Christ and by are actions drawing them near unto the Savior? Or do we push them away, denying them the love Christ has to offer if we would but humble ourselves, letting go of our own pride, unto final judgment, that we may be and instrument in his hands to convey his love? As we are “connected “on ever increasing levels we should use the tools and opportunities tat our disposal o build up and not tear down. To foster and add to the conversation, not to serve to spread the cancer of the polarized and combative culture we find ourselves living in.