Being Temperate in All Things
Kent D. Watson
Of the Second Quorum of the Seventy
October 2009
"Learning to be temperate in all things is a spiritual gift available through the Holy Ghost."
“And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care.” 1
“I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things.” 4
What better example do we have of temperance than our Savior, Jesus Christ?
When our hearts are stirred to anger by disputation and contention, the Savior taught that we should “repent, and become as a little child.” 8 We should be reconciled with our brother and come to the Savior with full purpose of heart. 9
When others are unkind, Jesus taught that “my kindness shall not depart from thee.” 10
When we are confronted with affliction, He said: “Be patient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile. Govern your house in meekness, and be steadfast.” 11
When we are oppressed, we can be comforted in knowing “he was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.” 12 “Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.” 13
When Jesus Christ, the greatest of all, suffered for us to the extent that He bled from every pore, He did not express anger or revile in suffering. With unsurpassed self-restraint, or temperance, His thoughts were not of Himself but of you and of me. And then, in humility and full of love, He said, “Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations
I leave my witness that our Redeemer lives and His divine gift of temperance is available to each of God’s children, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Yes......being temperate in all things! Not always easy, but always worth it.
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