The prophet spoke of being a good example, the General Authorities spoke of the same thing. The power of example is a powerful influence to people. It touches their hearts and minds, something far more influential than material or flesh things. It is the same method that provides a person with power against evil and against corruption. It provides faith a conduit by which to proliferate. Example is that power which Jesus Christ and the Father use to express themselves. Example is what allows a person to be diligent, brave, determined, enduring, patient, tempered and all other good things of the spirit.
With all this about the power of example, why is it that people, even members of the Lord’s Church, fail to be a good example. Yea even discount it has something worth doing? If a person has become dull to the power of example, that person has become dull to life and to God, irrespective of how they proclaim God and his word.
I have seen and experienced many Anti-Mormon believers who proclaim the Bible as the single source of God’s word. They proclaim many negative things against this Church which they hate so much (makes one see Satan’s face in this doesn’t it). Yet, as they claim so many negative things against this Church and doctrine, what do these detractors actually do? Well the answer is in the Bible and Book of Mormon.
Matt. 12: 33
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.Alma 5:36
For behold, the time is at hand that whosoever bringeth forth not good fruit, or whosoever doeth not the works of righteousness, the same have cause to wail and mourn.
It is true, the power of example is shown in the word of God as the examples above. The “fruits” of our choices and actions occurs from the example we choose to live each moment. The fruits of God’s choices, his actions and labour is seen in his works. In fact, if you wondered about the faith versus works debate, here is an answer for you. Without works, there is no example and by this faith is dead or idle.
The fruits of one’s choices and actions is also the “example” seen in what ye soweth, so shall ye reap (Gal 6:7). This says that we are an example unto ourselves as much as we are to others. We sow and bear the fruits of our choices and actions, whether the example is good or evil or idle. The power of example is what sustains faith and personal testimony. Even in the giving of testimony, is the example, the fruits by which ye shall know them.
Simply listen to a testimony, one that is faithful and one not faithful. What example is each testimony showing? A good one or not good? Is the testimony an example of a real spiritual experience or one of personal disappointment and disgruntlement? One of God or one of the world? One for the Spirit of God or one for him/herself?
Which one shows faith and the other lack of faith? Have you not noticed that the testimony of those against the Church or denouncing the Church are examples of a lack of faith? What I mean by faith is the kind of faith specifically toward God, removing anything about churches. That is the clue to determining if one has true faith. I do not mean one based on “emotional examples” for people can be emotional without being faithful, but based in spiritual depth, bearing nothing of the world and nothing to justify a personal belief. In an example of true faith, there is no promotion of oneself only the promotion of God, at no expense or detriment to others!
I hope you see and understand what I am saying.
The power of example is what determines your faith, it is what brings a person in line with the first commandment of God and shows the true nature of a faithful person. The power of example can aid or destroy, rise or lower others. When a good example, one of true faith in God is given, it does not attack others, it sustains all goodness. A good example does not condone or sustain any evil or wicked thing, for it cannot and must not.
The words, “choose the right”, are important for they speak of a right example, do perform and show righteousness, to be that example unto others of good things. Not everyone will like or appreciate a good example, in fact some may be indignant toward you because of it, but never allow yourself to ignore or to degrade that power of example because of others.
To be an example under God is one where the world cannot be included. What I mean by this is that a person who wants to be a good example cannot expect to mix worldly ideas into this example. For “example” , when the Word of Wisdom says no coffee, a good example is not to drink a cup with fellow employees or friends under the idea of fellowshipping or that it cannot harm just once. Any idea that discounts this simple thing is an idea born of the world and not of faith.
One Sunday as I was with my kids, my daughter asked if we can go to the 7-11 to get a slurpee. I said that we cannot because it is Sunday and not to purchase things on the Sabbath. My daughter replied that she has some coupons for a free slurpee. I paused for a moment and in my mind I silently asked God of what to say and the answer came in one word “barter’. I replied to my daughter, “I love you sweetie, but we cannot use the coupon because that is still a form of barter as money is a form of barter”. We still had a good day together.
The example I gave shows the natural impulse and desire to do things, even for our children that are not right or not faithful to God. By the example I gave to my daughter, I showed the power of faith and application of God’s word. Whether she understood that at that time is not the point, the point is that she received an experience that will serve her in the future. That is the important thing, the seed was planted.
As by these examples and words I speak in this post about example, have I given to you something to ponder and think about? I hope so, but most of all I wish to have given you and set before you a “good example“.
Amen
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