Love the sinner, but not the sin
Taranaki Zone leadership council, July 2015, presented by Elder Michael Taylor
Leadership presentation by Elder M. Taylor
- Be patient with the disobedient, but not accepting of the disobedient behavior.
- Lessons from the Prodigal Son
- The father, though not agreeing with his son’s decisions, honored his agency.
- The father had taught and continued to teach his son the consequences of choices.
- The father continued to pray for and fast for and hope for his son’s return.
- When the son repented of poor choices, the father, “had compassion,..ran,…fell on his neck,…kissed him.”
- Lessons from the Apostle Peter
- At various times, the Lord said to him: “…o ye of little faith”, “…when thou art converted”, “…sleepest thou? Could thou not watch one hour?”, “…before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.”
- Who appeared to the Prophet Joseph to restore the Melchizedek Priesthood? Peter!
- Lessons from Nephi
- How did he react to Laman and Lemuel’s continual defiance and disobedience?
- Trick question! He didn’t “react”. He “acted”.
- “I did frankly forgive them…”, “…let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord”, “…have ye inquired of the Lord”, “…I did exhort them that they would pray.”
- Wise counsel from Elder Dallin H. Oaks
- This counsel was given to parents, but it applies to all leaders: “Where do parents draw the line? That is a matter for parental wisdom, guided by the inspiration of the Lord. There is no area of parental action that is more needful of heavenly guidance or more likely to receive it than the decisions of parents in raising their children and governing their families. This is the work of eternity. As parents grapple with these problems, they should remember the Lord’s teaching that we leave the ninety and nine and go out into the wilderness to rescue the lost sheep. President Thomas S. Monson has called for a loving crusade to rescue our brothers and sisters who are wandering in the wilderness of apathy or ignorance. These teachings require continued loving concern, which surely requires continued loving associations. Parents should also remember the Lord’s frequent teaching that “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth” (Hebrews 12:6). In his conference talk on tolerance and love, Elder Russell M. Nelson taught that “real love for the sinner may compel courageous confrontation—not acquiescence! Real love does not support self-destructing behavior.”
- Lessons from Doctrine and Covenants section 121
- “…reproving at times with sharpness (clarity, not anger) when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and then showing forth an increase of love afterwards toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be an enemy; that he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.”
- Patience, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, love unfeigned, kindness, pure knowledge, without hypocrisy, without guile.
- Lesson from Elder Taylor’s father!
Click here to return to the New Zealand Hamilton Mission talks and presentations index
Click here to return to the New Zealand Hamilton Mission wisdom index page
Click here to return to the Missionary Matters menu page
Click here to return to the Main Menu page