Monthly Message, February 2021
We human beings normally are able to choose our actions. This is called “agency.” None of us has total agency. But we are each responsible for how we use what we have.
Our Father in Heaven has asked us to use our agency in a special way, and he sent his Son to show us how it can be done. That special way is to return good for evil. One mark of every true servant of Jesus Christ is the many ways in which they return good for evil. Such as:
When someone smites us, turning the other cheek to be smitten again.
When someone speaks ill of us, saying something good about them.
When someone takes what is ours, giving them more of what is ours.
When we find a mess, cleaning it up.
When our neighbor is in prison, visiting them and encouraging them.
When our neighbor is ill, visiting them and ministering to their needs.
When our neighbor has an overwhelming good task, helping them to complete that task.
There is no way to count all the ways we may bless our neighbor, but trying to do so always is one special mark of the true children of Jesus Christ. Doing this sometimes results in pain. But it always brings happiness. We do not do it because it brings happiness. We do it because it is right. This is the way of righteousness.