Week 12: Transitions in Marriage: Power Relations and Children

“The Spirit of God never generates contention”

Truth!

 No matter how we want to justify our point when we are involved in a brutal battle of words, contention is never the result of having the Spirit. These wise words of President Henry B. Eyring are a brutal but educational truth to help us discern where are heart really is. In his article titled That We May Be One from the April 1998 General Conference, he goes on to say:

“It (The Spirit of God) never generates the feelings of distinctions between people which lead to strife. It leads to personal peace and a feeling of union with others. It unifies souls. A unified family, a unified Church, and a world at peace depends on unified souls.”

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1998/04/that-we-may-be-one?lang=eng

Pride is the enemy to the goal we have to keep the Spirit of God with us in our family relationships. Pride offends the Spirit and repels it. Pride has a sneaky way of entering into our arguments. I have three teenage daughters. I love them with all my heart, but, I admit, there are times when my pride gets in the way of my attempts to parent. More often than not, it is when I find myself raising my voice after hearing the phrase “Mom, you just don’t get it!”  for what seems like the millionth time in a week timespan. My temper flares at the obvious call to my ignorance, and pride walks in the door. From that point on, the Spirit departs and unless I rally my temper and humble my heart, it will not return.

In his book titled Counseling with Our Councils by M. Russell Ballard he quotes Rulon G. Craven when he discusses his experiences as Executive Secretary to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He describes these inspired men discussing sensitive issues always with a feeling of peace and respect for each other. He talks about how these men are all from different backgrounds and have differing opinions, yet with the Spirit of God as their guide, they never allow contention to enter their hearts. They make decisions in unity, always respecting what another has to say, even if they disagree. What a beautiful sight that must be to see!

Taking that feeling as our guide, may we all strive to council with our families in just that way: with love, peace and unity, always inviting the Spirit to be our guide. With the companionship of the Holy Ghost and the humbling guidance he offers, we cannot go wrong.

Ashley Yarrington