Bridling passions - Church News

Counseling his son Shiblon in words that have timeless application, the prophet Alma charged, "See that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love" (Alma 38:12). As is often the case with scripture, it is useful to examine the context of this passage and thereby seek greater understanding, perspective and insight.

It is evident from this chapter that Alma had substantial reason to be pleased with Shiblon. He commended him for his "steadiness" and "faithfulness unto God," for having commenced in his youth to look to the Lord. (See verse 2.) We learn that Shiblon had endured persecution during his ministry among the Zoramites, but by exercising faith and patience he had been delivered and preserved by the Almighty. (See verses 3-4.)

We picture Shiblon as a bold and energetic proclaimer of the gospel and a vigorous defender of the faith. Like some of us today, perhaps he was tempted at times to be carried away in his zeal, even to the point of defiance and contention. That he encountered provocation for such excess is clear from the fact that he was subjected to persecution for his faith, hence the admonition from a wise father speaking from a wealth of experience:

"See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength.

"Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love" (Verses 12-13).

Why was this counsel preserved for us today and made a part of our scriptural canon? What insights can we gain from it?

Use of the term bridle, of course, brings to mind the imagery of a horse or other animal, one that has been tamed and trained for beneficent service. One dictionary provides this definition for the word bridle as a verb: "To curb or control with or as with a bridle." To bridle a horse is not to kill it or to suppress or weaken its strength and energy; rather it is to control, channel and apply those qualities to useful ends.

It would seem the Lord does not condemn passions per se, only the untempered, uncontrolled, ungodly and potentially harmful expression of them. We are to hold our passions in check as we would a strong and spirited service animal. Failure to do so hinders us from being filled with the love we are commanded to have for mankind and having the spirit by which we are to carry forth the work of the Lord and minister to the inhabitants of the earth.

Occasionally, we see the doctrines and principles of the restored gospel misrepresented and the ordained servants of God maligned. It is natural at such times to feel hot indignation well up within our souls, and we may be tempted to respond in kind. Or perhaps from a sense of urgency and a fervent conviction of the truth, we may be disposed to express it in terms and ways that are less than courteous or do not give due consideration to what a person already believes and embraces that is true and good. At such times, we would do well to remember the counsel of Alma to Shiblon: We must be bold but not overbearing. Or, as the Lord admonished His servants in this dispensation:

"Thou shalt declare glad tidings, yea, publish it upon the mountains, and upon every high place, and among every people that thou shalt be permitted to see.

"And thou shalt do it with all humility, trusting in me, reviling not against revilers" (Doctrine and Covenants 19:29-30).

In that spirit the Prophet Joseph Smith on one occasion cautioned departing missionaries "to go in all meekness, in sobriety, and preach Christ and Him crucified; not to contend with others on account of their faith or systems of religion, but pursue a steady course. This I delivered by way of commandment; and all who observe it not, will pull down persecution upon their heads, while those who do, shall always be filled with the Holy Ghost; this I pronounced as a prophecy" (History of the Church 2:431).

Ours has been called the information age. By virtue of the Internet and other mass media, public discourse about the Church of Jesus Christ, both true and false, is more accessible and pervasive today than ever. For this reason, there is perhaps a greater need than ever for articulate voices to declare the truth with knowledge, intelligence, skill and boldness.

In all endeavors to defend the faith, however, let us remember the underlying character of that faith, it being centered in the gospel of the Lord, Who commanded:

"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:44-45).

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