A friend of mine posted a few days ago a quote by Elder David A. Bednar a member of the quorum of the 12 apostles that said "To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else."
I was reading in the book of Mormon and in the Old Testament and also the New Testament, how Heavenly Father's people will love and serve Him for a time but inevitably fall away into sin and apostasy. But why? What happens to them that in such a short period of time desires to do whats right and a love for our Father in Heaven disappear. Well the Book of Mormon gives us insight into what takes place. I won't quote any scripture because there are too many. Every time they become wicked it tells the same story as to why and this is it, because of contentions and dissensions among them. Well what does that mean. They argue, they disagree, sometimes about doctrines, but they begin to disagree and then THEY TAKE OFFENSE. And Satan starts to work and soon they are no longer doing those things that brought them happiness and peace (which is what righteous living brings to you.)
So as I was pondering today about what is going to make me different. How do I keep my testimony burning bright and stay converted to the gospel when all of these people couldn't. The answer came as this. Besides "watching and praying always, "I CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE OFFENSE." When the choice is laid before me I have to choose love and understanding not anger and offense. The price of taking offense is too high. It leads to feelings of dislike, then hate, then loss of the spirit, then loss of any desire to do right, then loss of testimony and ultimately I am left to navigate through the trials and temptations of the last days with my own knowledge and abilities. I am left without power from on high, and without that I can only fail. The price is too high.
