Week 29- Beware of Murmuring

Scriptures:

D&C 101: 43-62

Numbers 13-16

1 Ne 2-3

1 Ne 17

General Conference Address:  

“Beware of Murmuring” H Ross Workman CR 10/2001

Thought:

There is no value in murmuring. It’s toxic, subversive, and reflects poorly on he who engages in it. Obedience is easier when one is close to the source, both in terms of proximity and in terms of familiarity. Trust and confidence in the Lord, along with acting in faith, bring surety where there is doubt, hope where there is concern, and light where there is darkness. We cannot idly wait for confirmation. Revelation and confirmation come in doing, not in waiting. Murmuring is a toxic behavior that exists when we have a rebellious heart.  The cure is getting closer to the Lord, both in terms of distance and understanding his ways.  

Misc: 

Why is murmuring so toxic? It's like a leak on a ship. It goes mostly unnoticed at first. And then it builds, and the drag slowly increases. Steering becomes harder. You burn more fuel. You become more unstable. Even if patched, it takes a lot of work to pump the water out, dry the vessel, secure the damaged area, eradicate mold, etc. Avoid it entirely! If you spot it, fix it immediately. The only good leak is the one designed to sink the ship. Beware of murmuring! 

Invitation: 

When a directive comes that makes you grimace, ask yourself two questions:

1- How much investment have I put into the relationship with the source of the directive?

2- Am I bristling because of pride or because of an actual risk that may not be known?

The answers to those two questions should help you discover what to do next.  Obey? Strengthen a relationship? Check your ego? Communicate a risk? Discuss a concern? Just do the thing? The answer should be apparent.