In his talk “The Power of Patience” Elder Robert C Oaks speaks about the importance of developing patience. He opens his talk by referring to Mormon’s description of charity, which can be found in Moroni 7. He points out that four of the eleven characteristics of charity involve developing your patience.
Elder Oaks then goes on to point out that Job was an excellent example of patience for each of us. He also goes on to talk about the example that Christ set while he was on the earth. He showed patience when he suffered the Atonement and was crucified. This can be seen as He forgave those who crucified Him.
Elder Oaks goes on to point out the many ways that people demonstrate impatience with each other. He speaks of abuse and neglect of children, as well as road rage. He also speaks of the smaller ways that people demonstrate impatience as they wait in line or become frustrated when their children are slow to obey them. Elder Oaks says:
“Is patience important and worthy of our pondering and pursuit? It certainly is if we would avoid the demeaning classification of “nothing” used to label those without charity. It is if we desire to be less a natural-man enemy of God. It is if we would be heavenly. It is if we would seek to become after the manner of Christ.”
Elder Oaks goes on to give us ways that we can become more patient. He says that we should study the scriptures and learn the examples and the counsel that we can find there. Then we need to examine our own lives and see where we need to improve. We should also look for examples of patience around us, and try to follow those examples. Finally we need to commit each day to working on developing our patience.
This is a wonderful talk that gives practical advice of developing this important virtue. Patience can be one of the most difficult traits to develop, but it is essential in developing the attributes that will help us to return to our Heavenly Father. I hope that you will take the time to read and ponder this talk.
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