"...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.
We all seek peace of mind, and we all desire security and happiness for our families. If we look for silver linings in this past year’s economic downturn, perhaps the trials some have faced have taught us that peace of mind, security, and happiness do not come from buying a home or accumulating possessions for which the debt incurred is larger than our savings or income can afford…
Security for our families comes from learning self-control, avoiding the excesses of this world, and being temperate in all things. Peace of mind comes from strengthened faith in Jesus Christ. Happiness comes from being diligent in keeping covenants made at baptism and in the holy temples of the Lord.
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.”8 We should be reconciled with our brother and come to the Savior with full purpose of heart.9
When others are unkind, Jesus taught that “my kindness shall not depart from thee.”10
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.”11
When we are oppressed, we can be comforted in knowing “he was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.”12 “Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.”13
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.”14
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This is from my favorite talk from conference, Being Temperate in All Things by Elder Kent D. Watson of the Seventy. Lately it seems people are getting so bent out of shape by everything. I have been TRYING to bite my tongue, not comment on some stuff and to try to return anger with calm. I don't know how well I"m doing but I am trying. I think it's interesting there was this talk and another to the priesthood holders on curbing anger. Definitely a sign of what's going on in the world, lots of frustrated angry people.
