On differences

Amid all the fear, suspicion, hate, sensationalism, incitement, misleading cherry-picked facts, prejudice, and bigotry loudly emerging from some quarters, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to ask us to think and act like disciples of Christ.

This new little video shares a vitally important message:

https://www.facebook.com/LDS/videos/10154951574121550/?pnref=story.unseen-section

In watching it, I couldn’t help but be reminded of one of my favorite passages in the Qur’an:

“To every one of you We have appointed a law and an open road.  If God had willed, He would have made you one nation; but [He wished to] test you in what he has given you. So compete with one another in good deeds; unto God shall all of you return, and He will tell you about the things on which you differed.”  (Qur’an 5:48, my hasty translation)

We who believe should always ask ourselves whether our attitudes are being dictated to us by advertising, peer pressure, political ideology, ambitious politicians, self-interest, or other worldly sources, or whether our principal guidance is coming from the prophets, the apostles, and the Spirit of God.  And we should adjust our attitudes and behavior accordingly.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  (Romans 12:2)

Elder Neal A. Maxwell and Elder Bruce R. McConkie were both deeply impressed, as I am also, by a comment from the heroic English clergyman William Law (d. 1761):  “If you have not chosen the kingdom of God first,” he said, “it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead.”