Looking For the Good

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wrote the First Presidency Message in the March edition of the Ensign Magazine. This month, Pres. Uchtdorf's message is focused on being peacemakers, looking on the bright side, and seeing the Good in everything around us. With the increase in evil, and adversity around, this skill will become much needed.

Pres. Uchtdorf says:"Have you ever noticed that people can usually find whatever they are looking for? Look hard enough, and you can discover both good and bad in almost anyone and anything." Pres. Uchtdorf warns members against the temptation to criticize, to hold grudges, gossip and to find fault with others. “for where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16).

Instead, Pres Uchtdorf reminds us of the scriptures that teach the followers of Christ to be “pure, … peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” For those who make peace, “the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace” (James 3:17-18). Pres. Uchtdorf concludes: "we have a choice. We can seek for the bad in others. Or we can make peace and work to extend to others the understanding, fairness, and forgiveness we so desperately desire for ourselves. It is our choice; for whatever we seek, that we will certainly find."

This wise Counsel reminds me of the words of Alma to his son Corianton in the Book of Mormon about the Law of the Harvest and the meaning of the word restoration:

For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all. (Alma 41:15)