Chapter 13—Missionaries in the Home
Dear Sister,
I have been shown that you have certain faults that you should feel
the importance of correcting, in order to enjoy the blessing of God.
Many of your trials you have brought upon yourself by your freedom
of speech. You feel that it is a virtue to talk plainly, and tell people just
what you think of them and their acts. You call this frankness; but it is
downright discourtesy, and arouses the combativeness of those with
whom you are brought in contact. If others should pursue the same
course toward you, it would be more than you could bear. Those who
are accustomed to speak plainly and severely to others, are not pleased
to receive the same treatment in return.
You have brought upon yourself many grievances that could have
been avoided had you possessed a meek and quiet spirit. You provoke
contention; for when your will is crossed, your spirit rises for conflict.
Your disposition to rule is a constant source of trouble to yourself.
Your nature has become jealous and distrustful. You are overbearing,
and stir up strife by faultfinding and hasty condemnation. You have so
long cultivated a spirit of retaliation that you continually need the grace
of God to soften and subdue your nature. The dear Saviour has said:
“Bless them that curse you,” “and pray for them which despitefully
use you, and persecute you.”
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Dear sister, I was shown that you bring darkness into your own
soul by dwelling upon the mistakes and imperfections of others. You
will never have their sins to answer for, but you have a work to do for
your own soul and for your own family that no other can do for you.
You need to crucify self and to check the disposition to magnify your
neighbors’ faults and to talk thoughtlessly. There are subjects upon
which you may converse with the very best results. It is always safe to
speak of Jesus, of the Christian’s hope, and of the beauties of our faith.
Let your tongue be sanctified to God, that your speech may be ever
seasoned with grace. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
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