Although the moral standards of this world are declining more and more, many people today don't intend on being your enemy, especially when you use kind words.
I remember, almost two years ago, I had multiple experiences with people that I had never known before. I was going to The 2010 National Scout Jamboree. On this trip, there were many people with standards that were not my own, and many people that did not share the understanding of the importance I felt my standards held.
I feel kind of lame saying this, but it was the first time I had gone "all offense" on what I consider to be destructive. You see, my fellow scouts had problems with their language, moral standards and habits, and code of conduct. Honestly, I wondered how they thought they could maintain the title of "Scout".
The first day of the trip was the worst. The profanity was near unbearable and I couldn't take another day of it, not to mention my younger brother, my cousin, and my uncle were all there with me, having their ears corrupted as well.
When I woke up the next day, I said my prayers, asking my Father in Heaven to help me have the courage to say what needed to be said for their hearts to be softened.
For the next... two hours?? (I think it was about that length of time.) I was contemplating how and what I would say, when I realized that all I needed to do was open my mouth and God would take care of the rest.
I walked up to a group of four of the thirty or so youth that had come with us and said, "Hey guys, you all know my little brother is here. I've been trying to set as good of an example for him as possible. Do you think you could help me?" a chorus of "Of course! What do you need us to do?' went up, and I stood there knowing that I could finish the rest myself, because I had been given what I needed to bring up the issue without putting them on the defensive about it.
To my suprise, those four young men went through the rest of the camp and asked everyone to watch their language and behave reverently while we were on this adventure.
Throughout the rest of those two weeks, I and my family stood out as examples and ended up becoming very good friends with each of those thirty-odd boys.
I know that sometimes you may feel it hard to stand up for what you believe in, but others watch you and judge you (even though they shouldn't) by what you say you believe in and your actions.
"He does not believe that does not live according to his belief." ~Thomas Fowler
People will judge your character off whether or not you live your belief.
I hope we all stand for something, for if we don't, we will surely be brought down with the majority, for it is man's nature to be selfish, reactive, and carnal, and we must rise above our nature and become better, if not for religious reasons, then just because the world will be a better place.
I believe we are all courageous enough, we just need to know that we have our own courage and strength and that it is improved by our faith and our willingness to do what is right.
Your friend and brother,
Dallin H.
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