Line upon Line

Doctrine and Covenants 121:41–43

Joseph Smith taught the Lord’s way of exercising priesthood authority.

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy.

Persuasion

Persuasion—encouraging others to believe or do something by reasoning or pleading with them.

Long-Suffering

Long-suffering—patience.

“As the Lord is patient with us, let us be patient with those we serve. Understand that they, like us, are imperfect. They, like us, make mistakes. They, like us, want others to give them the benefit of the doubt.

“Never give up on anyone. And that includes not giving up on yourself.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “Continue in Patience,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2010, 58.

Gentleness and Meekness

Here are some things the scriptures teach us about gentleness and meekness:

• They are among the fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22–23).

• Gentleness is a mark of the Lord’s servants (see 1 Thessalonians 2:7; 2 Timothy 2:24).

• The meek shall inherit the earth (see Psalm 37:11; Matthew 5:5).

• Meekness is a sign of faith in Christ (see Moroni 7:39).

• Meekness leads to the visitation of the Holy Ghost (see Moroni 8:26).

Love Unfeigned

Unfeigned—genuine; not faked or pretended.

Has someone shown you genuine love recently? How can you show that kind of love to others? Write about it in your journal.

Without Hypocrisy and without Guile

Hypocrisy—pretending to be something you are not.

Guile—deceitful; cunning.

Reproving Betimes with Sharpness

Reproving—scolding or correcting gently; expressing disapproval.

Betimes—speedily; early; before it is too late.

Sharpness—clarity.

When Moved Upon by the Holy Ghost

“An inspired, loving rebuke can be an invitation to unity. Failure to give it when moved upon by the Holy Ghost will lead to discord.”

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, “Be One,” Liahona, Sept. 2008, 6; Ensign, Sept. 2008, 8.

Editors’ note: This page is not meant to be a comprehensive explanation of the selected scripture verses, only a starting point for your own study.

Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail, by Greg Olsen