Bishopric Message

The younger brother chased his sister down the hall. For once, he wanted to get out the door of the house and then to the car before his bigger sister. The sister could see that her little brother had

the jump on her. She knew she had to hurry to make up the lost ground. As they cleared the front door of the house, the sister knew that her brother was going to beat her to the car unless she did something to stall his momentum. Without giving it a second thought, she kicked her leg out and tripped her brother. His feet lost their contact with the ground and his body went airborne. Unfortunately that airborne state did not last for long and he came to a skidding halt on the grass. Before he even knew if he was physically hurt or not, he knew that he had been wronged and he gave a horrible cry of anger and frustration. The brought the father running from inside. The sister knew immediately that she was in trouble and so she began apologizing like crazy to her brother who was still lying on the ground. Just as his sister began

apologizing, the brother began to feel sharp pain in his elbow. He was in no mood to receive his sister's words of apology and angrily got himself to his feet The father comforted his son and questioned his daughter about what had happened. As the three of them discussed the situation, the daughter realized that her apology had not been sincere because it had been offered simply to avoid getting in trouble. She again told her brother that she was sorry and gently helped him into the house to care for his sore elbow. The brother, with the incredible forgiveness of a child, quickly and totally forgave his sister and soon they were laughing as they once again took off to race to the car.

Why do we do, say, and think, the things we do, say, and think? What is our motive? What is our intent? What desire is at the heart of our thoughts, words, and actions? A wise teacher in our midst once said that virtue is doing good for goodness sake. Does goodness really drive our good actions and words? We know our motives and inner-most thoughts are important to the Savior. Just as He discerned the history of the Samaritan woman at the well or the goodness of the chief publican Zacchaeus, so He knows our true motives and the desires of our hearts. Let us purify our motives and seek to do good for goodness sake. Paraphrasing section 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants, let our bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish our thoughts unceasingly. If we do this, then shall our confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon our souls as the dews from heaven, and the Holy Ghost shall be our constant companion.