Inspired by Elder Callister’s “A fence at the top or an ambulance at the bottom” and some online reactions to it.
In a world of wickedness it is imperative that we preach morality but we can’t forget that even when we are doing the right thing it can bring about unpleasant side effects to more than those who are wicked. We should always be mindful of the words from Jacob:
Wherefore, it burdeneth my soul that I should be constrained, … to enlarge the wounds of those who are already wounded, instead of consoling and healing their wounds; and those who have not been wounded, instead of feasting upon the pleasing word of God have daggers placed to pierce their souls and wound their delicate minds.
Jacob 2:9
Sometimes remembering that should lead us to modify how we say things or who we say them to. Other times remembering that should inform how we respond to those who react negatively to our message. We should not judge that those who react badly are bad—often they have simply been wounded or had their wounds enlarged by our words.
Similarly, when we see people suffering the consequences of the very immorality we have preached against or are preaching against we must remember the words of king Benjamin:
Perhaps thou shalt say “The man has brought upon himself his misery; … his punishments are just”
But I say unto you, “O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent.”
Mosiah 4:17-18
Based on those words we are never justified in ignoring the ambulance at the bottom no matter how much there is or should have been a fence at the top.
Leave a Reply