document.getElementById("MsgContainer").innerHTML='x0dx0ax0dx0ax3cmeta http-equivx3dContent-Type contentx3dx22textx2fhtmlx3b charsetx3dunicodex22x3ex0dx0ax3cmeta namex3dGenerator contentx3dx22Microsoft SafeHTMLx22x3ex0dx0ax0dx0ax0dx0ax3cstylex3ex0dx0ax3cx2fstylex3ex0dx0ax0dx0a x0dx0ax3cdivx3ex3cfont facex3dArial sizex3d2x3ex0dx0ax3cpx3ex3cbx3eFood for thoughtx3ax3cx2fpx3ex3cx2fbx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eLies and gossip which harm reputations, are scattered like seeds of a x0dx0adandelion , neither the seeds or the gossip can be gathered in. x5bSpencer W. x0dx0aKimball ,The Miracle of Forgivenessx5d x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eGood morning Brothers and Sisters,x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eThis morning I been asked to speak on x3cbx3ex3cux3ex26quotx3bNot Gossipingx26quotx3b x3cx2fbx3ex3cx2fux3e.Yes x0dx0aweu2019ve had this talk many times before. It seems that Heavenly Father created us x0dx0ain such a way that we learn about the important things when they are x0dx0arepeated.x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eWe have been counselled many times x3cbx3eNot x3cx2fbx3eto participate in x0dx0ax3cbx3egossipx3cx2fbx3e. In the scriptures, by the first Presidency in conferences, in x0dx0aarticles in the Ensign, on Sundays in our classes and by our Branch x0dx0aPresidency.x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eAll of these people speak for the Lord . They are his servants. And so when x0dx0awe gossip when we are asked not to, we are really being disobedient to Him. Not x0dx0aonly do we hurt the person we are talking about but we also hurt our Heavenly x0dx0aFather and our Savior. Have we not caused him enough painx3fx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eSo why do we do itx3f I would like to think that it is because we donu2019t really x0dx0aunderstand what gossiping is and where it comes from.x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eI guess the first thing we need to do is find out where it comes from and x0dx0awhat it is. Why you askx3f. Because if we donu2019t know then we canu2019t have the desire x0dx0ato stop and when we know we are accountable for our actions. And the Lord x0dx0ax3cbx3ewillx3cx2fbx3e hold us accountable for the hurt that we cause .x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eThe best place to start is the scriptures . It is in thex3cbx3e scripturesx3cx2fbx3e x0dx0athat we will find the truth.x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eSome words in scriptures used are x3aBabbling, Backbitting, Lying, Slander, x0dx0aTaletelling ,Busybody.x3cx2fpx3ex3cbx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eIn Proverbs 18x3a8x3cx2fpx3ex3cx2fbx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eit also say in Proverbs 18 verse 5 that x26quotx3bIt is not good to accept the person x0dx0aof the x3cbx3ewickedx3cx2fbx3e, to overthrow the righteous in judgementx26quotx3bx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3ev6 says x26quotx3bA x3cbx3efoolx3cx2fbx3eu2019s lips enter in to x3cbx3econtentionx3cx2fbx3ex26quotx3bx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3ev7 says x26quotx3bA x3cbx3efoolx3cx2fbx3eu2019s mouth is his x3cbx3edestructionx3cx2fbx3ex26quotx3b and x26quotx3bhis lips are x0dx0athe x3cbx3esnare of his soulx3cx2fbx3ex26quotx3b x3cx2fpx3ex3cbx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eProverbs 26x3a20 - 22x3cx2fpx3ex3cx2fbx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eGossiping hurts everybody and it can destroy lives. We have had some pretty x0dx0acold weather lately -25 and lower in places. It isnu2019t very nice. Well gossip is x0dx0alike that fridge cold. It has a chilling effect on those who bear the brunt of x0dx0ait. Our reputations are important to us .There is an unfairness about labels x0dx0agiven or rumors spread when we are not able to defend ourselves. We must be x0dx0acareful how and what we say about others. x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eIn Matthew 12x3a36 it tells us that x26quotx3bevery idle word that we shall speak ,we x0dx0ashall give an account thereof in the day of judgementx26quotx3b. Few words are more idle x0dx0athan those spoken critically about others . Especially when we are Latter-day x0dx0aSaints and understand the important part we play in x26quotx3bLoving one x0dx0aanotherx26quotx3bx5bx3cbx3eDx26ampx3bC 88x3a123x3cx2fbx3ex5dand to u2018succor the weak and lift up the hands x0dx0awhich hang down, and strengthen the feeble kneesx26quotx3bx3cbx3ex5bDx26ampx3bC 81x3a5x5dx3cx2fpx3ex3cx2fbx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eu00a0x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eu00a0 x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eWhen we gossip , it is amazing how often the person we talk about finds out x0dx0awhat we have said, kind of. You can be sure that by the time the person hears x0dx0aabout it, the story has grown. x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eLike the liar, we feel a need to look over our shoulders after having x0dx0aparticipated in gossip.x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eGossiping doesnu2019t just effect the person that is being talked about , it x0dx0aeffects the one that is doing the talking. Our feelings of x3cbx3eworthx3cx2fbx3e and our x0dx0aoutlook on life are affected, as we expect others to talk about us with the same x0dx0alack of regard. We feel that we cannot be x3cbx3eanything but perfect x3cx2fbx3ebecause x0dx0aothers might talk about us. After all how can we expect others to act more nobly x0dx0athan we ourselves are acting. But what is worse than anything else I think, is x0dx0athat we x3cbx3epull away x3cx2fbx3efrom our x3cbx3eHeavenly Fatherx3cx2fbx3e and cannot feel the x0dx0awarmth of his approval or the companionship of the Holy Ghost, when we are being x0dx0aunkind to his other children , our brothers and sisters. We x3cbx3ealienate x0dx0aourselves spiritually x3cx2fbx3eand thusx3cbx3e feel more shut outx3cx2fbx3e.x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eSO what to dox3f Well, here are a few questions for you to consider, to think x0dx0aabout, to ponder. Maybe even talk about in x3cbx3eFamily Home Eveningx3cx2fbx3ex3ax3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3e1. How does gossip affect the individual who spreads itx3fx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3e2. In what ways does gossip damage our ability to serve in our Church x0dx0acallingsx3fx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3e3. What are helpful ways to respond when others around us engage in x0dx0agossipx3fx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3e4. Does it make the person look good or badx3fx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3e5. Do you feel uplifted or degraded after hearing it x2fsaying itx3fx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eGossip can become an addiction if you allow it to. Here are a few ways that x0dx0amight help you to kick the habitx3ax3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cdirx3ex0dx0ax3cdirx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eTHINK about how x3cbx3eyoux3cx2fbx3e feel after youu2019ve passed along a rumor. Do you x0dx0afeel good about your selfx3f How do you feel when you say something nicex3fx3cx2fpx3ex3cbx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3ePray and Study the scriptures x3cx2fbx3eto feel the x3cbx3elove of Heavenly Fatherx3cx2fbx3e. x0dx0aWe often gossip because we feel bad x5blow self-esteemx5d about ourselves.x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eLook for your motives. Are you talking about them because you care about that x0dx0aperson or because you want to put them down to make yourself look betterx3fx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eRealize that x3cbx3ex3cux3eyou are not perfect eitherx3cx2fux3e.x3cx2fbx3e Think about the x0dx0anegative things others x3cix3ecouldx3cx2fix3e say about you if they wanted to. Wouldnu2019t x0dx0ayou rather leave those things unsaidx3fx3cx2fpx3ex3cx2fdirx3ex3cx2fdirx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eBy x3cbx3enot gossiping x3cx2fbx3ewex3ax3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cdirx3ex0dx0ax3cdirx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eshow loyalty and goodwill to our brothers and sisters. x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eprovide a warm shelter were people can come and talk and know that it will x0dx0anot go any further. x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3ewe gain trust. From our leaders, our friends, our families and from our x0dx0aHeavenly Father.x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3ecan uplift and edify those that are downx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3ecan have the Holy Ghost as our constant companionx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3ecan have great eternal happinessx3cx2fpx3ex3cx2fdirx3ex3cx2fdirx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eIn closing I would like to share a couple of scriptures with youx3ax3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eRemember x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cdirx3ex0dx0ax3cdirx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3ex5bread x5dx3cbx3eMatthew 15x3a11x3cx2fbx3e x3cx2fpx3ex3cx2fdirx3ex3cx2fdirx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eGossiping is part of everything that is x3cbx3eevilx3cx2fbx3e andx3cbx3e negativex3cx2fbx3e in x0dx0aour worldx3ax3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cdirx3ex0dx0ax3cdirx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3ewickednessx3cx 2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3econtention x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3edestructionx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3esnare to the soulx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3elow self-esteemx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3elack companionship of the Holy ghost.x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3ecoldness x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3elonelinessx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3efearx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0 ax3cpx3egreat sadnessx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3edarknessx3cx2fpx3ex3cx2fdirx3ex3cx2fdirx3ex0d x0ax3cpx3eSo to answer our question of where does it come fromx3fx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cdirx3ex0dx0ax3cdirx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3ex5breadx5d x3cbx3eHel.16x3a22x3cx2fpx3ex3cx2fbx3ex3cx2fdirx3ex3cx2fdirx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eBy gossiping we are following x3cbx3ex3cix3ex3cux3eSATANx21 x3cx2fbx3ex3cx2fix3ex3cx2fux3eThese are his tools x0dx0ato x3cbx3ex3cix3etake us away x3cx2fbx3ex3cx2fix3efrom our x3cbx3eHeavenly Fatherx3cx2fbx3e. He is the author x0dx0aof all that is not good and dark, of misery and unhappiness.x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eThe other side of the coinx3cbx3e x26quotx3bNot gossipingx26quotx3b x3cx2fbx3ecanx3cbx3e x3cx2fbx3elead tox3a x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cdirx3ex0dx0ax3cdirx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3echarity, the x3cbx3ePure Love x3cx2fbx3eof x3cbx3eChristx3cx2fbx3e. x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eKnowledgex3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3ePeacex3cx2fpx3ex0dx0 ax3cpx3eHappinessx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eWarmthx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eServic e x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3ecompanionship of the Holy Ghostx3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3ea close x3cbx3erelationshipx3cx2fbx3e with our x3cbx3eHeavenly Fatherx3cx2fpx3ex3cx2fbx3ex3cbx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3e1Tim.6x3a11 -12x3cx2fpx3ex3cx2fbx3ex3cx2fdirx3ex3cx2fdirx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eI bear testimony that gossiping only hurts, x3cbx3eeveryonex3cx2fbx3e x21Having been at x0dx0athe receiving end of much gossip, untruth and misunderstanding because of lack x0dx0aof compassion and understanding, I know first hand, the pain of not being able x0dx0ato defend myself or my family. x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eIf this is an addiction that you are suffering from, please go to the Lord. x0dx0aRepent and overcome with His help and the love of your leaders .x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eI would invite you to read the words of x3cbx3eHymn x23260 x26quotx3bWhou2019s on the Lordu2019s x0dx0aSidex3cx2fbx3ex3f.x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eWhou2019s side are you going to be onx3f The Lordu2019s side or the other sidex3f There x0dx0aare only two choices. You cannot sit on the fence. One side will give you x0dx0aEternal Life, the other will bring you great sorrow and if you slide far enough, x0dx0ayou will be Satanu2019s ... Please choose the Lordu2019s side so that we can x3cbx3eallx3cx2fbx3e x0dx0abe together for all Eternity..as brothers and sisters, as familyx21x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3e.x3cx2fpx3ex0dx0ax3cpx3eI leave this with you in the name of our Savior, and redeemer, Jesus Christ. x0dx0aAmenx3cx2fpx3ex3cx2ffontx3ex3cx2fdivx3ex0dx0a';