Ephesians 4:31-32

"It is said that wisdom has 2 parts: 1) having a lot to say and 2) not saying it."

Gossip and words said out of anger or in haste will always lead to regret and sorrow.

There is enough grief and troubles in this world without us adding to it by putting down another person, regardless of whether we think they deserve it or not. The Savior said it best when He commanded (not merely suggested or hinted at) us to "Love one another as [He] ha[s] loved [us]." The phrase "walk a mile in my shoes" can be best exemplified, again, by our Savior, when He did just that, and more, for each of us. Indeed He has walked our entire lives in our shoes. He knows perfectly how we feel and He knows perfectly how to help us. Both the offendee and the offender can find access to His love, mercy, and forgiveness as they repent and seek to be better.

Remember, the Savior taught: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40) The Savior paid the price for everything that has happened or will happen in our lives. Every heartache, every trial, every pain, sickness, sin, loneliness, EVERYTHING has been felt and atoned by Him. I testify that that is true and that no sin or guilt ever need be permanent. All that is wrong about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We just have to have faith in Him (which is more than just a passive belief in Him; we have to be willing to act, to follow Him, to repent/change in order to be like Him). And as we do, we can choose to be more willing to forgive others and then we can be forgiven. I know that The Lord will NEVER leave us comfortless, alone, or forsaken. He has promised it. (See John 14:18)

Therefore, let us all be slow to take offense. Let us forgive one another and forgive ourselves. Let us "come unto Christ, and be perfected in him." (Moroni 10:32) Only then can we find joy and peace in this life and eternal life in the next. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

-Sister Reid