Saturday, May 2, 2015

Clean Language

In my second week of the Pathway program, there were many lessons that I went over in my Book of Mormon class. There was one in particular that I didn't plan to learn or even talk about, but did as a result of an ongoing exercise that will last for the duration of the semester. There is an exercise called the Becoming Project. It’s designed to help the students figure out what Christ-like attributes they would like to adopt. For me I decided to become more worthy of the priesthood that I have.
The main pitfall that I have in this endeavor is my choice of language. I am working on not using profanity anymore. In doing this I have done some studying of the scriptures and found a few verses that I like. In Alma 12:14 of the Book of Mormon we learn that our words will condemn us. Similarly I learned in Mosiah 4:30 that anyone who doesn't “...watch [them]selves, and your thoughts, and your words...must perish.”
I find that the main reason I use profanity is when I’m frustrated. These ill feelings towards people and circumstances trouble me so much that I am willing to push away the Holy Spirit for the sake of cursing. I know that I need to re-evaluate the way I look at the world and begin to find the positive things in life as to not let my emotions get the best of me. I think that Elder Holland put it best when he said, “There are negative things to face...but no misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse.” He goes on to say that Paul wrote, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but [only] that which is good [and] edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” This was very powerful to me. It helped me to understand that every word has a meaning any we should choose to use the ones that will allow us to keep the Holy Spirit with us and be in good favor with Heavenly Father.

I can only hope that I continue to develop these good habits and keep my mind centered on wholesome things.

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