Maturing Spiritually

November 20, 2013 by James Faulconer

Continued from Page 1

If we believe that, then we also believe that when we do our work in the church and it doesn't have the results we hoped for, or when those we thought we had helped backslide or continue on the same unfortunate path, if we fail to continue to work for and with those who need our help, then we have failed to love.

That doesn't mean that we must force our help on those who don't want it. It doesn't mean that we can never decide that we can no longer help a particular person who isn't responding to our attempts to help. As human beings, we have limited resources and must decide best how to use those resources in charitable work.

It does mean that the difficulty of bringing about change in lives, our own as well as others, cannot be an excuse for ceasing to work for that change. As the Doctrine and Covenants teaches, we must work "by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy and without guile" (D&C 121:41-42). Spiritual maturity can take a long time, and our spiritual maturity depends on recognizing that and living patiently with that fact.

Page: 2 of 2

12/2/2022 9:09:20 PM

Mormon

Speaking Silence

Sacred Texts

Spirituality

more at patheos

Reflections for Paschaltide 2026: The Paralytic Man

Henry Karlson

Meet Catholic Action Writer Declan Finn

Mark Wilson

Re: Rededicate

Fred Clark

Jesus Loves You, Now Shut Up

Stuart Delony

About James Faulconer

James Faulconer is a Richard L. Evans Professor of Religious Understanding at Brigham Young University, where he has taught philosophy since 1975.

Patheos Logo Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos