Sixteen Maple Leaves

 “I invite you to learn about and apply the Savior’s teachings about interactions and episodes that can be construed as offensive. ‘I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.’ ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.’ Interestingly, the admonition to ‘be ye therefore perfect’ is immediately preceded by counsel about how we should act in response to wrongdoing and offense. Clearly, the rigorous requirements that lead to the perfecting of the Saints include assignments that test and challenge us. If a person says or does something that we consider offensive, our first obligation is to refuse to take offense and then to communicate privately, honestly, and directly with that individual. Such an approach invites inspiration from the Holy Ghost and permits misconceptions to be clarified and true intent to be understood.” – David A. Bednar