The Tongue of Angels

February 25, 2010

I loved this talk because it tied in so perfectly with this chapter on language.
One thing I think about in relation to this talk and language is how we should speak with a tongue of angels to ALL. It says a lot about someone they way they choose to speak to others. One of my favorite quotes is by Samuel Johnson, “The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.” I love this quote because it teaches a valuable lesson. We are taught from the scriptures to speak good words to one another and it does not carry exceptions. Many times we think we are justified in acting a certain way or in the words we speak. But we each will be held accountable for what we choose to say, not why we said because of what another provoked us to say! We should treat everyone the way we want to be treated. It’s as basic as the golden rule. It goes back to the other talk of our measure of discipleship of how we choose to see others reflects ourselves. If we see others as spirit children of God, as our brothers and sisters, then it is so much easier for us to love them.
As I was reading this talk I also realized how easy it is to be the best self for people we just meet or don’t know well, but aren’t are best selves with the people we should be striving: your family and our close friends. Many times we become too comfortable and slack in those important fundamental relationships. They become casual and so our actions become casual. I was relating this to my own life and know that it is easy for me to express my appreciation and love to my grandparents, I don’t see them often so when I do I am always on my best behavior, am polite and respectful, and show much gratitude towards them. However, I asked myself why I don’t do this with my own family, especially my parents. They have sacrificed so much for me, by so many means. I know I feel gratitude towards them, I realize the small actions they perform, and inside I know I feel indebted. But I know they need to hear it, and that is one thing I really am working on, which is being able to express my feelings verbally so that my parents may actually know that I appreciate them. It is good to express actions, but I think it is just as important to verbally express feelings so that they may be acknowledged.
I have a testimony that we are to be like our Lord and Savior. He is our ultimate example. He is what I want to become. In order to become more like him I must center my life, deeds, thoughts, and actions around him. I know I can work on being better with uplifting communication. I can compliment more, uplift more, be more positive, and strive harder to see the good that each individual has to offer. I know that by doing this it will only better me and make me in return a happier individual! (: