Rumors

As a missionary, although you would think it would not be so; I hear a lot of rumors about people, places, things; some good, and some are bad. Sadly, such talk, however harmless it must seem to the user, may infact be a deadly poisoun that destroys the target with blinding speed. as it says in James 3:8-9 from what we can see of this scripture, the tongue is indeed an unruly thing, it is full of deadly poisoun. Many may ask themselves, well is it really cursing man if i'm not really saying anything directly to him? The answer is still yes! Just because you don't say directly to the person what you think of them, when you voice it to others it is just as bad!

Through this evil source, you may find the destruction of whole nations, but not just nations alone, but the individuals that inhabit them. I have found, that more often then not, when you spread a rumor here, or a rumor there, it spreads; and just like a plague of locust swarming in on the crops, they will eventually multiply. The saddest part about it, is that the people effected by such action usually go completely unaware of whats happening untill it grows too late! Sure, they may notice the snickering, or maybe even the people that act so strangely around them, but most of the time they will just brush it aside, as mere coincidence, or maybe they'll begin to think something is wrong with them, losing all hope of recieving the love and respect of their peers! I shouldn't have to remind anyone, that people like sheep or goats are herd animals, they require friendship, love, and the interactions of others to feel complete. To find a good lesson to remember, one need look no further then the churches own history. JS-H 1:1 Rumors began to circulate about our beloved prophet Joseph Smith even from the beggining of the churches devolopment. Due to this fact he was forced to publish this letter known as the wentworth letters to "Disabuse the public mind" as it were, or to silence the rumors that had arisen.

It is sad but it is also true, when an unkind thought it communicated one against another, the the rumor, no matter how harmless it seems, destroys the lives and lively hood of a person. They poisoun the mind, and can damage the reputation of one, who may not even be guilty of the act. Inconclusion, I would exhort you, if you have heard a rumor about someone, ignore it; or tell the person that has told you that although you respect their opinion, but you cannot believe that untill you know it for yourself. Then ask the affected person about themselves, get to know them; you will soon find that the shadows of the cloak of rumors, can only be parted by simple an honest communication. Its truth, it can part any cloak, that may cast darkness upon someone who may or may not be innocent, let us all walk a little closer to the lord. Let us attempt to bind up the broken hearted, not hurt needlesly destroy the already hurt!