Just say no

Just say no[1]

Sometimes we are put in a position where we have to make a decision with a definitive yes or no answer. For most people it is easier to acquiesce than to say no. More often than not we are ‘wankelmütig’ or ambivalent. We may really want to say no, but we are then influenced by peer pressure or what some may call situation ethics. 

Each of us must learn to distinguish between principle and preference   The gospel of Jesus Christ and his commandments give to us the basic principles of life. We are free to add others of our own, for we are agents unto ourselves. If we make them a part of our internal fabric we will then have a set of principles upon which to base our yes or no answers. 

In the biography of president Spencer W. Kimball he relates that while milking cows he would say to himself, "I Spencer Kimball will never drink coffee. " He then would repeat this and insert the other commandments and principles of the gospel until he had covered them all. He would do this every time he milked the cow. Eventually they became such a part of his fabric that when he came to a situation where principles we involved there was no hesitation as to his response. 

If it is a decision of preference it really doesn't matter what our responses are, it will not in any way affect our happiness or eternal salvation. 

As a simple example of preference I have used the trip to the candy store. One has many choices. You may choose to purchase a Snickers with Almonds or a Lindor bar. This a preference.  Your companion my try to get you to buy a box of licorice instead and be very insist and persuasive. You might give in and buy the licorice even though you would prefer the Lindor bar just to keep him off your back. There is no harm in this, because it is just a preference and does not have eternal consequences. But given the same scenario with the choice to obey or disobey one of God's commandments, the same pressure may be applied and if we choose not to say no we may hurt ourselves or others or both. 

I was listening to a rebroadcast of a BYU devotional this same morning that I wrote this.  It fits nicely into this theme. You can read or listen to it.
Click Here

Learn to say no. It will save you much heartache and grief. 

Love, 

Grandpa

---

[1] Written while waiting in a doctor’s office.