Temperate As Christ

TEMPERATE AS CHRIST

What stands out to you in the example that the Savior set for us as he lived his life? How did he control His physical passions – words, appetites, actions? How can you do better and let your light shine to those around you?

1 Corinthians 9:25
Alma 7:23
Alma 38:10
D&C 88:69
Matthew 5:16 3 Nephi 12:16
1 Peter 2:21
2 Nephi 31:16
3 Nephi 18:16
3 Nephi 27:21

TEMPERATE AS CHRIST QUOTES

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES

Titus 1:7-8	Not self-willed or soon angry
Alma 38:12	Bridle your passions
Thessalonians 5:22	Abstain from the appearance of evil
Matt 16:26 JST	Deny oneself of worldliness

 THE EXAMPLE OF THE SAVIOR

“In a spiritual sense, temperance is a divine attribute of Jesus Christ. He desires for each of us to develop this attribute. Learning to be temperate in all things is a spiritual gift available through the Holy Ghost.”[1]

“What better example do we have of temperance than our Savior, Jesus Christ? When our hearts are stirred to anger by disputation and contention, the Savior taught that we should “repent, and become as a little child.”[2] We should be reconciled with our brother and come to the Savior with full purpose of heart.[3] When others are unkind, Jesus taught that “my kindness shall not depart from thee.”[4] When we are confronted with affliction, He said: “Be patient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile. Govern your house in meekness, and be steadfast.”[5] When we are oppressed, we can be comforted in knowing “he was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.”[6] “Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.”[7] When Jesus Christ, the greatest of all, suffered for us to the extent that He bled from every pore, He did not express anger or revile in suffering. With unsurpassed self-restraint, or temperance, His thoughts were not of Himself but of you and of me. And then, in humility and full of love, He said, “Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.”[8]”[9]

TEMPERANCE IS…

“Temperance suggests sobriety and self-restraint in action. It reminds one of covenants made.”[10]

“[An] attribute described by Peter as being part of the divine nature is temperance. A priesthood holder is temperate. This means he is restrained in his emotions and verbal expressions. He does things in moderation and is not given to overindulgence. In a word, he has self-control. He is the master of his emotions, not the other way around.”[11]

“In its simplest terms, self-mastery is doing those things we should do and not doing those things we should not do. It requires strength, willpower, and honesty.”[12]

““Spirit over body.” That is self-mastery.”[13]

THE NEED FOR SELF-MASTERY

“Temperance is required.”[14]

“The height of a man’s success is gauged by his self-mastery; the depth of his failure by his self-abandonment. There is no other limitation in either direction and this law is the expression of eternal justice. He who cannot establish a dominion over himself will have no dominion over others.  He who masters himself shall be king.”[15]

“If a man does not control his temper, it is a sad admission that he is not in control of his thoughts. He then becomes a victim of his own passions and emotions, which lead him to actions that are totally unfit for civilized behavior, let alone behavior for a priesthood holder.”[16]

“A man who cannot control his temper is not very likely to control his passion, and no matter what his pretensions in religion, he moves in daily life very close to the animal plane”.[17]

“A man may receive the priesthood and all its privileges and blessings, but until he learns to overcome the flesh, his temper, his tongue, his disposition to indulge in the things God has forbidden, he cannot come into the celestial kingdom of God – he must overcome either in this life or in the life to come. But this life is the time in which men are to repent. Do not let any of us imagine that we can go down to the grave not having overcome the corruptions of the flesh and then lose in the grave all our sins and evil tendencies. They will be with us. They will be with the spirit when separated from the body.”[18]

“No man is safe unless he is master of himself; and there is no tyrant more merciless or more to be dreaded than an uncontrollable appetite or passion. We will find that if we give way to the groveling appetites of the flesh and follow them up, that the end will be invariably bitter, injurious and sorrowful, both to the individual and society. It is hurtful in example as well as in its individual effects; dangerous and hurtful to the unwary; while the denial of these appetites … and an aspiration for something noble; whenever possible, doing good to our fellow creatures, hoping for the future, laying up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust cannot corrupt, and where thieves cannot break through and steal[19]—all these things will bring everlasting happiness; happiness for this world and the world to come.”[20]

“Self-mastery is essential to invoke the power of the priesthood of God. This is because this great, divine agency can only be exercised in righteousness. Self-mastery requires self-determination and strength of character. It enhances our own gifts and talents in a remarkable way. It is the power of noble manhood.”[21]

“Self-mastery is a challenge for every individual. Only we can control our appetites and passions. Self-mastery cannot be bought by money or fame. It is the ultimate test of our character. It requires climbing out of the deep valleys of our lives and scaling our own Mount Everest’s.”[22]

“Not an age in life passes without temptation, trial, or torment experienced through your physical body. But as you prayerfully develop self-mastery, desires of the flesh may be subdued”[23]

“We should not look for excuses when we lose our self-control. Even though our circumstances may be challenging, we can all strive for self-mastery. Great blessings of personal satisfaction come from doing so. Self-mastery is related to spirituality, which is the central quest of mortality.”[24]

SEEKING SELF-MASTERY

“In seeking self-control, we will find great power in prayer and fasting. Both are exercises in self-control and bring to our aid the powers of heaven. Indeed, much of what the Lord asks of us can help us master ourselves.”[25]

 “To be able to take from [one’s] purse one-tenth of all that [one] has earned and turn it over to leaders to redispense is a test of faith. To fast is self-mastery. … To be unselfish totally, always thinking of others before one’s self, is a great step toward self-mastery. To forgive one who is mean and offensive is the act of one near to perfection”[26]

 “Certainly self-mastery is a continuous program—a journey, not a single start. Men do not suddenly become righteous any more than a tiny acorn suddenly becomes an oak. Advancement to perfection can nevertheless be rapid if one resolutely strides toward the goal”.[27]

BLESSINGS OF TEMPERANCE

“Temperance can protect each of us from the aftermath of excess.”[28]

“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.”[29]

“Spirituality is the consciousness of victory over self, and of communion with the Infinite. Spirituality impels one to conquer difficulties and acquire more and more strength. To feel one’s faculties unfolding and truth expanding the soul is one of life’s sublimest experiences.”[30]

“As you prayerfully develop self-mastery, desires of the flesh may be subdued. And when that has been achieved, you may have the strength to submit to your Heavenly Father, as did Jesus, who said, “Not my will, but thine, be done.”[31] … Christ is our great Exemplar… We develop self-mastery as we become like him.”[32]

TEMPERANCE IN MUSIC

“Now, let the Saints of God rejoice and be merry. Not in excess, nor in boisterous or disorderly speech or action, but with that temperance and moderation that bring no regrettable results.”[33]

“The scriptures caution us to avoid excess in all things. Temperance is one of the virtues extolled by the Savior, so excess is definitely not desirable in the music we choose to listen to. So when does loudness exceed its honorable purpose and become a liability to our spiritual senses? ... When loudness becomes a cover—an all-encompassing influence that blocks out all touch with reality and normal reason—a normally temperate person becomes intemperate in his or her dance, speech, and general behavior. There is a feeling that no one will know or care what you may say or do. Anyone who has experienced a prolonged exposure to excessively loud, ear-splitting rock music knows that there is a sudden feeling that anything goes. A moral apathy pervades the performers and the audience as the Spirit of the Lord withdraws. The loudness so overloads us with physical sensation that it blocks out all other senses, overcomes us, and changes our thinking and our actions while we are exposed to it. We are not speaking here of the kind of loudness that most of us at times enjoy while listening to a particular piece of music we like and that we want to enjoy to the fullest for a moment. We are speaking of the kind of loudness that has no purpose but to become our only concern, at the exclusion of thought and reason and temperance.”[34]

LET US CONQUER OURSELVES[35]

STATEMENTS:

·         Amusement is not the purpose of life but only to give variety.

·         Profanity and vulgarity are gross sins in the sight of God.

·         The desire to get something for nothing is pernicious.

·         Backbiting is contrary to the spirit of the gospel.

·         Immodesty should be frowned upon by all people.

·         Wholesome dancing is permitted among the Saints.

·         Books are companions for good or for bad.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

·         In what ways did the Savior set an example of self-mastery? What is the “enemy we will find within ourselves”?[36] How can we follow the Savior’s example in conquering this enemy?

·         When we are not masters of ourselves, how can we hurt ourselves and others? When we are masters of ourselves, how can we bless others?

·         How might amusements become a “ruling passion” in our lives? How might they reveal what we are? What role should amusements play in our lives?

·         Why is “using vulgarity and profanity … a gross sin in the sight of God”? If those around you are using profanity, how might you let them know that it is offensive to you?

·         Why is backbiting contrary to the spirit of the gospel? What course of action should we take rather than speaking about the faults of others?

·         How does dressing modestly encourage righteous living? How can some of today’s fashions be “suggestive of evil” and “demoralizing” in their effect?

·         In what ways is bravery required if we are to swim against “the currents of the world”?

·         How does drawing closer to the Savior help you master your thoughts, words, and deeds?

·         What scriptures or teachings of latter-day prophets have helped you gain self-mastery? What have you been able to change or improve?

TEMPERATE AS CHRIST - ADDITIONAL NOTES

---

[1] Kent D Watson, Ensign, Nov 2009, Temperate in All Things

[2] 3 Nephi 11:37.

[3] See 3 Nephi 12:24.

[4] 3 Nephi 22:10.

[5] D&C 31:9.

[6] Mosiah 14:7.

[7] Mosiah 14:4.

[8] D&C 19:19.

[9] Kent D Watson, Ensign, Nov 2009, Temperate in All Things

[10] Russell M Nelson, Ensign, Nov 1991, These.. Were our Examples

[11] Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Nov 1986, Godly Characteristics of the Master

[12] James E Faust, Ensign, May 2000, The Power of Self-Mastery

[13] Russell M Nelson, Ensign, Nov 1985, Self-Mastery

[14] Boyd K Packer, Ensign, Nov 1974, Where Much is Given Much is Required

[15] Anonymous as quoted by Spencer W Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness, 176

[16] Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Nov 1986, Godly Characteristics of the Master

[17] David O McKay, Improvement Era, June 1958, p. 407

[18] Melvin J Ballard, “The Three Degrees of Glory”

[19] see Matthew 6:19–20

[20] Joseph F Smith, Teachings of Presidents of the Church, Chapter 42: Let Us Conquer Ourselves.

[21] James E Faust, Ensign, May 2000, The Power of Self-Mastery

[22] James E Faust, Ensign, May 2000, The Power of Self-Mastery

[23] Russell M Nelson, Ensign, Nov 1985, Self-Mastery

[24] James E Faust, Ensign, May 2000, The Power of Self-Mastery

[25] Seeking Self-Control, Ensign, June 1999

[26] Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 204

[27] Spencer W Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 210

[28] Russell M Nelson, Ensign, Nov 1991, These... Were our Examples

[29] Kent D Watson, Ensign, Nov 2009, Temperate in All Things

[30] David O McKay, as quoted by James E Faust, Ensign, May 2000, The Power of Self-Mastery

[31] Luke 22:42

[32] Russell M Nelson, Ensign, Nov 1985, Self-Mastery

[33] Joseph F Smith, Deseret News on January 9, 1913

[34] Randal S Chase, New Era, July 1975, The Loudness Factor

[35] Joseph F Smith, Teachings of Presidents of the Church, Chapter 42: Let Us Conquer Ourselves.

[36] See also Mosiah 3:19