Uplifting Communication

As Latter-day Saints, we have a unique responsibility to communicate with each other in a way that leads to our mutual improvement.  It is much easier to believe in eternal progression than to practice daily improvement.  Likewise, the need for humility is easy to agree to, but it is very difficult to receive corrective counsel humbly.  We can all learn from Proverbs 15:32 wherein we are taught:  “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.” 

As true disciples of Jesus Christ we should be genuinely concerned about the quality of all of our human relationships because we understand that we are going to be together with others, not only the rest of our lives, but everlastingly.  As such, ours are not fleeting relationships even when the grind of our daily lives and hurried handshakes would suggest otherwise.  We acknowledge that we do not know any “mere mortals” because we know that we are all sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father.  All of relationships (family, friends, professional, neighborhood, and ward) are important and should lead to mutual edification.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught this concept in his usual eloquent way.  “Our capacity to grow and to assist each other depends very much upon our being willing to communicate.  Communication includes proper measures of counsel, correction and commendation.  Since we depend upon each other to supply these ingredients in our lives, our insensitivity in communicating can be far more damaging than we realize.  When we “pass by” others and “notice them not,” a degree of deprivation occurs.  One of the ways, therefore, we will be proved herewith is our determination as to whether or not we love others enough to give and receive such vital communications.  We may quickly say that communicating thusly with those close to us is difficult; indeed, it is, but with whom else is it really possible?  Are not the people proximate to us our tiny portion of humanity, given to us by God as our social stewardship?”

As members of the Smithfield South Stake, I pray that we are willing to communicate with each other by giving and receiving appropriate counsel, correction and commendation.  As we strive to uplift each other, we will be blessed in all aspects of our lives. 

- Brother Kirk McRae, Smithfield Utah South Stake High Council