"We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
Hence many are called, but few are chosen.
No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;"
Doctrine and Covenants 121:39-41
I think that this is an interesting insight into how we behave. Not really something we didn't know, but definitely something we need to be reminded of sometimes. It is easy to abuse our power. With children, with students, with employees, and in so many other situation... whenever we have any kind of authority, we need to bend over backwards to be kind. We need to explain our decisions, and listen to alternate perspectives. We need to truly love those that we lead, and to be gentle and patient. And, before we start looking at our overall leaders and saying "yeah! you should be nicer to us!," let's remember that we are all leaders sometimes. We need to successfully suppress our own power hunger (mote) before we go after someone else's unrighteous dominion (beam). Today, let's be part of the solution, and when we are called, let's also do everything we can to also be chosen... by working on our tendency to abuse or fight over power, and instead cultivate kindness.
Hence many are called, but few are chosen.
No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;"
Doctrine and Covenants 121:39-41
I think that this is an interesting insight into how we behave. Not really something we didn't know, but definitely something we need to be reminded of sometimes. It is easy to abuse our power. With children, with students, with employees, and in so many other situation... whenever we have any kind of authority, we need to bend over backwards to be kind. We need to explain our decisions, and listen to alternate perspectives. We need to truly love those that we lead, and to be gentle and patient. And, before we start looking at our overall leaders and saying "yeah! you should be nicer to us!," let's remember that we are all leaders sometimes. We need to successfully suppress our own power hunger (mote) before we go after someone else's unrighteous dominion (beam). Today, let's be part of the solution, and when we are called, let's also do everything we can to also be chosen... by working on our tendency to abuse or fight over power, and instead cultivate kindness.
Thank you for the insight. I recently had an experience with "unrighteous dominion" aimed directly at myself and two others. I have started building anger inside of me towards this individual, who is also a priesthood holder. The sad part is one of the individuals that he aimed at is a convert to the church, the other has had trials and issues for several years and this incident will in fact build walls even higher and then there is me who ran into this insight on the computer and am starting to feel better already. LET'S REMEMBER THAT WE ARE ALL LEADERS SOMETIMES AND SUPPRESS OUR OWN POWER HUNGER BEFORE GOING AFTER SOMEONE ELSE'S UNRIGHTEOUS DOMINION. Be part of the solution and do everything to also be chosen......and cultivate kindness..
ReplyDeleteThe Lord truly works in mysterious ways and he truly helped me today
I'm glad you liked the commentary. :)
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