Parallel Thinking

Giving | Taking

Fathers know, all too well, that both good and evil has occurred throughout human history.

In this photo, Joseph Smith Jr. is shown giving a coin to Emma, his wife, to help provide for the poor and needy through the recently organized Relief Society. In contrast, on our Savior’s left, we see thousands of wedding rings taken from holocaust victims during World War II.

Without exception, Jesus Christ is our best example of good…our only perfect example. He gave Himself that we might live. He gives to each of us the hope of a better day.

In the world, there have been many examples of evil…those who violently take from others. They try to buy power with money, with force, and in secret combinations. They are even willing to take the life of another, without regret.

From the New Testament, Matthew 25:31-46 we read:

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

On His Right Hand

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

On His Left Hand

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Conclusion

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Fathers should always remember and strive to teach their loved ones that how we treat each other matters…really matters. Our personal behavior has both immediate and eternal consequences.

In the hymn, A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief, the last verse reads:

Then in a moment to my view
The stranger started from disguise.
The tokens in his hands I knew;
The Savior stood before mine eyes.
He spake, and my poor name he named,
“Of me thou hast not been ashamed.
These deeds shall thy memorial be;
Fear not, thou didst them unto me.”
– Text: James Montgomery, 1771-1854

Can you imagine? This good man had nothing to fear. His deeds of kindness ensured his future reward.

In contrast, can you imagine treating a stranger in a mean or unkind way and then discovering him to be your King and Savior? Your selfish and mean deeds would warrant fiery punishment.

Fathers, teach your children this parallel thinking
by helping them see things from an eternal perspective.

Let’s choose to:

Do What is Right not   Wrong
Do What is Good     not    Evil
Be Kind to Others     not Unkind

[This blog represents my personal views and is not an official site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.]

ADDITONAL RESOURCES

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