The Wisdom of Ruby Landis
The choices we make and the reasons for those choices have been uppermost on my mind of late.
Some make choices based on their friends and associates (love me, love my dog), while others try to make choices based on the principles they believe in and hold most dear.
All of us fall short of the mark in attempting to live up to our principles, but perhaps the Doctrine and Covenants of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Sainys (LDS Church) says it best, and in Christ's own words: "The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh..." (D&C 1:19).
This reminds me of a situation many years ago, when someone of my LDS faith in Cumberland, Maryland was much offended by inadvertent and insensitive actions by another, so much so that he vowed never to return to the fellowship of the Saints.
In the midst of those hurt feelings and wounded egos, Ruby Landis, a lady of much faith and humility, remarked that she wouldn't allow anybody to stand between her and Christ's own Church, and that, even if the offending person stood to block her way at the front entrance of the (former) LDS Meetinghouse on Columbia Street, she just would run around to the back and climb in through the kitchen window.
Ruby was a lady of more than average girth and the kitchen window was not much larger than a transom, so the mental picture she painted for my mind was an amusing yet effective image of perseverance in following what you know is right.
Ruby is gone from our midst now, but I am so grateful for Ruby and others like her, and especially for the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ in teaching me to always do my best to stand up for what I know is right, regardless of the opinions of others and regardless of the consequences.
For more information about the principles and purpose of life, call 1-800-438-7557.
Some make choices based on their friends and associates (love me, love my dog), while others try to make choices based on the principles they believe in and hold most dear.
All of us fall short of the mark in attempting to live up to our principles, but perhaps the Doctrine and Covenants of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Sainys (LDS Church) says it best, and in Christ's own words: "The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh..." (D&C 1:19).
This reminds me of a situation many years ago, when someone of my LDS faith in Cumberland, Maryland was much offended by inadvertent and insensitive actions by another, so much so that he vowed never to return to the fellowship of the Saints.
In the midst of those hurt feelings and wounded egos, Ruby Landis, a lady of much faith and humility, remarked that she wouldn't allow anybody to stand between her and Christ's own Church, and that, even if the offending person stood to block her way at the front entrance of the (former) LDS Meetinghouse on Columbia Street, she just would run around to the back and climb in through the kitchen window.
Ruby was a lady of more than average girth and the kitchen window was not much larger than a transom, so the mental picture she painted for my mind was an amusing yet effective image of perseverance in following what you know is right.
Ruby is gone from our midst now, but I am so grateful for Ruby and others like her, and especially for the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ in teaching me to always do my best to stand up for what I know is right, regardless of the opinions of others and regardless of the consequences.
For more information about the principles and purpose of life, call 1-800-438-7557.
posted by Larry D Kump | 7:28 PM
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