Being a longstanding worker, and having held assignments of responsibility there, the first thing my shift coordinators had me doing was "shadowing" a brother officiating for the first time in an endowment session, to be there to monitor and assist should he have questions or issues. During the session an issue arose that I needed to have a couple of the patrons in the session step out of the room with me to have something adjusted that was better to deal with outside of the view of the rest of the company. We always seek to avoid embarrasing our patrons whenever possible, but in this case the problem needed to be addressed and both brothers needed to make the adjustment, which would mean changing a piece of clothing.
The brothers were most amenable when the issue was explained, we had a little light moment about it. They both made the adjustment and we returned to the company.
As I thought about the incident later, it occurred to me that we all (well, most of us) find it easier to be corrected in the temple, and for my part, I find it much more pleasant to assist others with their issues there. I naturally make the assumption that they are doing their best. It makes it almost a joy to assist them in improving their performance.
Then I got that spiritual slug...you know, where the Holy Ghost slaps your spirit and gives you a spiritual insight about your personal performance. In this case it was "So why is it you do not carry this assumption about others with you when you leave the temple?" Wow. Talk about your basic spiritual undressing. I stood there naked. I have no defense. With few exceptions, the Great Exemplar made this assumption with those of His brothers and sister with whom he interacted while on the planet. Why can't I?
So here is my New Year's challenge...to bring that assumption and the love and attitude that comes with it to my everyday life. To assume that family, friends and the folks who call me with their computer issues all are doing the best they can, and deserve my loving assistance with their issues. Its WJWD....what Jesus would do.
