Bearing the Shame of the World

This is a letter in response to a letter from a friend.

One aspect of Meekness is to endure your personal crosses and to despise the shame of it (2 Nephi 9:18).  This could mean that you choose to eat what you want, get up when you want, go to bed when you want, tell others of your successes and how good you feel and let them shame you!  This might mean to “suffer his cross and bear the shame of  the world” (Jacob 1:8).   It is taking a stand for what you believe.  (Monson 1:1).  You do what you know to be right and you bear the shame of those who mock you.  You give them no heed (1 Nephi 8:33). 

I usually apply these scriptures to Christ-like attributes or the lack there of.  My goal is to heed them not when I choose to do the right thing in meekness being mocked by others.  Each person has different crosses to bear.  You bear the scorn of the world patiently.  This is the test.  To fight them or to withdraw in sadness is failing the test.  To torment them with what they should or shouldn’t do is wrong.  You first must love them and accept them.  Once they know you accept them and love them, you can then teach them.  Until then, no one will listen to you (or me or Jesus).  That is just how it is.  No coercion, no belittling, no taking seriously the negative comments (mocking) of others. 

The Pharisees smashed against the Rock and were broken up.  The Rock (in the last days) will grind the Gentiles to powder as they fight the truth of Gospel and its correct teachings.

This is hard doctrine for me.

Scott