Throw Down Your Weapons of War

In the scriptures there are many references to the Nephites having mercy on the Lamanites who throw down their weapons of war. I've read and re-read this message, never thinking of any way to apply it to myself. Today, when I was reading about Teancum and Moroni and the armies of Lehi taking back the city of Mulek, it occurred to me that I too need to throw down my weapons. Not my weapons of physical war, I don't even own any weapons, but the weapons of war that I cause in our household. I am often critical and quick to pass judgement on my husband. My nagging and sharp tongue can't be bringing us closer together. I know that if I have something to say, I need to cast aside my turmoil causing words and find a more gentle way to handle the situation.

It is better to speak softly, like that story of the wind and the sun, which I found on the Internet. It so befitting to what I'm trying to say.

The Sun and the Wind

An Aesop's Fable
As Retold by Ms.Holly


Once long ago the Sun and the Wind made a bet. It happened on one summers day long long ago...and this is how it came about....

The Wind said boastfully "I am far stronger than you are."

The Sun just looked at the wind and said nothing.

So the Wind went on to say, "I am so much stronger than you are that look down at that traveler on the road. I bet I can make him take off his cloak before you can."

The Sun just kept looking and said nothing still.

So the Wind then said, "So I will go first as I know you will never be able to do that." So the Wind proceeded to blow and blow and blow. But all the traveler did was clutch his cloak tighter to himself. Finally the Wind was so tired he gave up, saying, "Well if I could not do it then surely you cannot...So there is not really any sense in you trying to remove his cloak."

The entire time this had been going on the Sun had decided to hide behind a cloud. So the sun then came out and began to beam. Very slowly it began to get warmer so much so that the traveler when he came to a stream took off his cloak and all his clothes to go swimming.

Moral: Gentle persuasion is often more effective than brute force.