30 Day Challenge

During a Zone Training this week I was given a 30 Day Challenge that I want to extend to each of you. As I listened to the Challenge the Spirit touched my heart letting me know that I had some work to do! It's not an easy challenge, but I know that is what makes it so worthwhile.

"During an informal fireside address held with a group of adult Latter-day Saints, the leader directing the discussion invited participation by asking the question: “How can you tell if someone is converted to Jesus Christ?” For forty-five minutes those in attendance made numerous suggestions in response to this question, and the leader carefully wrote down each answer on a large blackboard. All of the comments were thoughtful and appropriate. But after a time, this great teacher erased everything he had written. Then, acknowledging that all of the comments had been worthwhile and appreciated, he taught a vital principle: “The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people.” Marvin J Ashton

How are we treating one another? Specifically how are we speaking one to another?

“The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones.”

Is this something we could all work on just a little? Is this an area in which we could each try to be a little more converted to Jesus Christ?

"The voice that bears profound testimony, utters fervent prayer, and sings the hymns of Zion can be the same voice that berates and criticizes, embarrasses and demeans, inflicts pain and destroys the spirit of oneself and of others in the process. “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing... “My brethren and sisters, these things ought not so to be.” Jeffrey R. Holland

If you feel like you can do better in this way, I hope you will find this 30 Day Challenge to be as inspired as I did.

PHASE 1: NO NEGATIVE WORDS ONE TO ANOTHER

"None of us need one more person bashing or pointing out where we have failed or fallen short. Most of us are already well aware of the areas in which we are weak. What each of us does need is family, friends, employers, and brothers and sisters who support us, who have the patience to teach us, who believe in us, and who believe we’re trying to do the best we can, in spite of our weaknesses... Be one who nurtures and who builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them." Marvin J Ashton

I know as we strive to refrain from speaking negatively to or about each other we will be closer to the spirit and to those we love. 

PHASE 2: NO WORDS TO OFFEND THE SPIRIT

Please accept one of Elder Holland’s maxims for living, "No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse." Take an inventory of your speech. Are your words offensive to the Spirit? In what ways are your words limiting the Holy Ghost. In order to do better I offer a few ideas of caution:

• • Don't use words full of
   anger or hurt or defensiveness, it will drive away the Holy Ghost.
• • Remember a murmuring tongue shows a lack of faith, understanding and charity. 
• • 
  Be cautious with humor. Loud, inappropriate laughter will offend the Spirit. A good sense of humor helps revelation; loud laughter does not.”
• • 
  Another enemy to the spirit comes from exaggeration or loudness in what is stated. Careful, quiet speech will favor the receipt of revelation.
• • 
  You cannot lie. W
  e must be honest with ourselves, honest with God, and with our fellowmen. 

It's interesting to note that each week as we take the sacrament with our mouths, which is the very member that gets most of us into trouble during the week. Maybe this is a reminder not a coincidence. 

PHASE 3 NO UNCLEAN THOUGHTS

So what are the thoughts of your heart? What do you hear whispered to your mind each time you make a choice? What is your innermost desire? Are you driven my a love for Heavenly Father or are you an instant judge? Which way do you face, in or out? This step is the most challenging but the most important because our thoughts determine who I am. 

"I suppose it goes without saying that negative speaking so often flows from negative thinking, including negative thinking about ourselves. We see our own faults, we speak—or at least think—critically of ourselves, and before long that is how we see everyone and everything. No sunshine, no roses, no promise of hope or happiness. Before long we and everybody around us are miserable." Holland

President Monson said "So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference... We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude."

THE PRIZE: "let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever."

"So, in this long eternal quest to be more converted to our Savior, may we try to be “perfect” in at least this one way now—by offending not in word, or more positively put, by speaking with a new tongue, the tongue of angels. Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity." Holland