Lesson Learned

Today was our Ward Conference. Bishop Metheny shared a message with us about how important it is to be a friend and reiterated President Monson's message in the May 2001 Ensign "To the Rescue". I liked the story Bishop used to illustrate how we have to work at being a good friend. It reminded me of the natural man that we struggle to conquer each day.

An old grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story.

I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.

But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But the other wolf, ah! he is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins Grandfather?"

The grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."

Our Relief Society president, Brittany Carroll shared some words from Elder Holland regarding enduring adversity and coming unto Christ. I thought this message went right along with the above story: "Certainly not everything we struggle with is a result of our actions. Often, we suffer because of the actions of others or just the mortal events of life." Elder Holland said that we should change anything that we can and we must forgive the rest. In this way, our access to the Savior's atonement becomes as unimpeded as we can make it. Then our Savior will take it from there.