From: Francis Harper
wbfrmsup@iowatelecom.net
Francis Harper Message for 4/17/2020
Conversations
The stewardship of our tongues is an awesome responsibility. I love the lines of a favorite hymn.
“Talk of the beautiful, talk of the true, tongues full of poison are whispering to you, answer them not with a tale-bearing word, only in blessing the voice should be heard, Talk of the beautiful, talk of thy Lord.” (Hymns of the Restoration. Look for the Beautiful. Hymn #226).
I can still remember, as a child gathering to Grandma Minnie Harper’s home to celebrate a baptism, or some other special occasion. I recall that the conversations were usually centered upon the Lord and his work. I suppose this was to be expected, since many of the men were preachers and teachers of the gospel. I pray that the Lord’s work will always remain a leading topic of conversation in the homes of our family and the families of the church.
The Lord is listening! “Then they that feared [love] the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (Malachi 3:16-17).
At a Woodbine Reunion in the late 1940’s, two teenage girls were enjoying an afternoon visit at the city park. They had selected a cool place in the shade of a large tree. As they sat on their soft blanket one of the girls shared a vulgar story. When she was scolded by her friend, she said, “We are the only ones who heard the story.” Her friend said, “God is always present and hears everything we say.” At this point, the story-teller said, “If he is everywhere I will take his picture.” She aimed her camera upward and snapped a picture. When the photograph was developed; The face of Jesus could be clearly seen in the arrangement of the leaves above them! My sister and I are living eye-witnesses of this experience of long ago. We were teenagers when this happened. Yes, the Lord is listening!
I do not believe I have ever heard any obscene language, curse words, an off-color joke or story, told by any of my family. May this always be true! An appropriate prayer for all of us was first uttered by David the Psalmist: “Set a watch, O’Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
James had this to say about our lips and tongues: “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26). “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a little fire kindleth! . . . the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the simlitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceeedth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? . . . who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” (James 3:5-11, 13).
Paul had this to say: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. . . . Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice” (Ephesians 4:29, 31). “That which doth not edify, is not of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:6-b).
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Dear Ones,
Most of us enjoy communicating with one another. The recent suggestion that we keep a safe distance from others to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus has been difficult for me. The Harper’s are talkers. My sister Hattie has been called “Chattie Hattie.”
Jesus enjoyed conversing with people. Now it came to pass . . . a certain woman received him into her house. And she had a sister, called Mary, who sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his words. But Martha was cumbered with much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part . . .” (Luke 10:39-43).
What are the topics of our conversations? Are we content to talk about the weather, markets, sports? Our conversations should be primarily upon things that matter most. Perhaps you will remember the hymn: “Sweet the time, exceeding sweet, when the Saints together meet, when the Savior is the theme, when they joy to sing [or speak] of him . . .” (Hymns of the Restoration. #55).
Paul instructed Timothy: “Shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase unto more ungodliness . . . foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes [arguments]. And the servant of the Lord must not strive [argue], but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach [at every opportunity] patient . . .” (2 Timothy 2:16, 23-24). We should speak of the things we know. We are called to declare the truth with soberness and love. See Acts 26:25.
We need to beware of too much levity. The Saints of the Restoration have been counseled to have “cheerful hearts and countenances; not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance” (Doctrine and Covenants 59:4-a). An occasional laugh is good for our mental health but silliness, an excess of laughter and idle thoughts are unbecoming for the people of God. See Doctrine and Covenants 85:19-a.
Apostle Edmund Briggs of the Reorganization described the demeanor of the elders before and after the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., “I do not remember their conversation, but their manner seemed to be light and frivolous . . . a great contrast to the humble, meek manner I had always observed in the ministers of the church before.” Early History of the Reorganization Briggs. pp 23-24).
The Lord obviously enjoyed his conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, while “his disciples were gone away into the city to buy meat” (John 4:10). When the disciples returned they said, “Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of” (John 4:33-34). He was saying, providing spiritual nourishment for our friends and neighbors gives us greater joy and lasting satisfaction than a quick meal at Arby’s.
I’m addicted to Divine Appointments. Nothing brings me greater joy than to have a divinely arranged, Spirit filled, conversation with one who has a hunger and thirst for truth and righteousness. I pray for these encounters. I recall the divine appointment of Paul and Lydia at the riverside near Philippi. Paul wrote: “And a certain woman named Lydia . . . heard us; whose heart the Lord opened . . . ” (Acts 16:14-15). Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God . . . and if it so be that you should labor all your days . . . and bring one soul . . . into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy . . .” (Doctrine and Covenants 16:3-e-f). Pray for Divine Appointments.
My Love to All,
High Priest Francis Harper
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