Developing Temperance

This spiritual thought is particularly for those who - like me - are working on the bridling of their temper, anger, patience and love.

I begin with Elder Kent D Watson's story, as shared in the October 2009 general conference.

"A few years ago, I was driving home from work when a large semitruck, traveling in the opposite direction, lost one of its dual tires. The tire flew over the median separating our lanes. It came bouncing down my side of the freeway. Cars were swerving in both directions, drivers not knowing which direction the tire would bounce next. I dodged left when I should have dodged right, and the tire took its final bounce right on the corner of my windshield.

"A friend called my wife to inform her of the accident. She told me later that her first thought was of lacerations from shattered glass. Indeed, I was covered with beads of broken glass but did not suffer a single scratch. It was definitely not because of my driving skills; rather, it was because the windshield of my little car was made of tempered glass.

"Tempered glass, like tempered steel, undergoes a well-controlled heating process which increases strength. Thus, when tempered glass is under stress, it will not easily break into jagged shards that can injure.

"Likewise, a temperate soul—one who is humble and full of love—is also a person of increased spiritual strength. With increased spiritual strength, we are able to develop self-mastery and to live with moderation. We learn to control, or temper, our anger, vanity, and pride. With increased spiritual strength, we can protect ourselves from the dangerous excesses and destructive addictions of today’s world."

I, like Elder Watson, and all of us, wish I could be like that glass. In application of a previous spiritual thought I've shared, it is not a weakness of mine - it is a developing strength.

I am interested in Elder Watson's description of how glass is tempered.

Says he, "...tempered glass, like tempered steel, undergoes a well-controlled heating process which increases strength."

The moments in my life when I have been under pressure are moments that I could choose to see as an irritation from Satan.

Though, an eternal perspective provides this thought: Heavenly Father allowed Satan on this earth, to tempt us and to try us. Thus, this moment of temptation can be considered and perceived as the following:
• An opportunity to show my love for the Lord.
• An opportunity to grow my temperance.

Like the glass, I may break down in life, from the struggles I face. Though, such breaking down of mine can also be - by my choice - tempered.

Elder David A Bednar teaches of Christ's demonstration of this principle (Video excerpts for his published work: "Increase in Learning", "Act in Doctrine", " Power to Become" and other places).

He pointed out the agony Christ had suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane. He then speaks of the comparatively infinitesimal, minute suffering of the Roman guard after the apostle Peter's swift surgical removal of his ear.

Elder Bednar points out that if He were in Christ's place, he probably would not even notice the guard in pain.

The Christ demonstrated temperance to the point where, despite his own pain, He rescued another who was in need. He helped another who was in pain.

Christ had broken down in Gethsemane to the point where He - a God - asked His Father if there was another way. Yet He saw this suffering through to the end, and ministered to others in the midst of such suffering.

Let us be like Christ. Let us be temperate. Don't search for the trying times of temptation to be angered. They come when they come. Let us be ready in heart and mind for them when they come. They will provide the spiritual heat necessary for our growth.