2011
Doctrine and Covenants 121:41–43
June 2011


“Doctrine and Covenants 121:41–43,” Liahona, June 2011, 51

Line upon Line

Doctrine and Covenants 121:41–43

Joseph Smith taught the Lord’s way of exercising priesthood authority.

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy.

Persuasion

Persuasion—encouraging others to believe or do something by reasoning or pleading with them.

Long-Suffering

Long-suffering—patience.

Gentleness and Meekness

Here are some things the scriptures teach us about gentleness and meekness:

Love Unfeigned

Unfeigned—genuine; not faked or pretended.

Has someone shown you genuine love recently? How can you show that kind of love to others? Write about it in your journal.

Without Hypocrisy and without Guile

Hypocrisy—pretending to be something you are not.

Guile—deceitful; cunning.

Reproving Betimes with Sharpness

Reproving—scolding or correcting gently; expressing disapproval.

Betimes—speedily; early; before it is too late.

Sharpness—clarity.

When Moved Upon by the Holy Ghost

Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail, by Greg Olsen