[RROVINCIALISM - PERSECUTION - PERFECTION (Neal A. Maxwell)

I am sure that Neal A. Maxwell never felt virtue being drained from his body as I touched the edge of his suit coat. I never sat mesmerized at his feet on a mountain side, nor did I meander for hours on the beach while soaking up morsels of his wisdom, but I did hear him speak on numerous occasions. Ultimately, his becoming a major mentor in my life came about mainly because of the abundance of his writings I was able to digest.

My admiration of his teachings must have been pretty apparent to those with whom I was able to share my own classroom experiences, because as I glance at the bookshelves behind me while I am writing this morning, I notice that I have duplicates of many of his books which I am sure were gifts from kind and well-meaning students. Either that or the memory lapses which come with aging started long before I thought.

One of the concepts which I know Elder Maxwell introduced me to was that of provincialism. He always used the word in one of its secondary meanings identifying ‘a person of local or restricted interests or outlook.’ It was obvious that he did not regard this as a positive attribute, but felt it was something that one needed to avoid or overcome.

A summary of Brother Maxwell’s thoughts on this subject might go something like: Too often we find that the value we place on individuals and their ideas is restricted by our provincial propensities.

Some of my thoughts which stem from Maxwell’s words on PROVINCIALISM:

Acts of goodness are not limited by the origins of one’s ancestors or the hue of the pigmentation their skin.

Proclamations of truths are not solely confined to one’s place of worship or to the pundits who occupy pulpits.

Feelings of being close to Divinity are not the exclusive providence of one’s place of worship be it Temple, Mosque, Synagogue, Chapel, Cathedral, Home or Hill Top.

The Universal brotherhood of mankind must not be bound by the artificial barriers instituted by governments and lines on maps.
Another of the concepts gleaned from my exhaustive readings of Elder Maxwell’s writings were his interesting views on PERSECUTION.

Some of my thoughts which stem from Maxwell’s words on persecution:

Sadly, persecution always seems to be something that others do to me and seldom has anything to do with what I do to others.

When I am being critical of others I am trying to strengthen them, but when others are critical of me I am being persecuted.

Since what I say of others in their absence will never be known by them it cannot be considered as an unkind act.

Although cyber bullying was not a popular pastime while Elder Maxwell did his mortal walk, I am sure he would have considered it as one of the ugliest forms of persecution.

The last of the ideals of Elder Maxwell’s I will briefly cover in this Thought is on the principle of PERFECTION.
Some of my thoughts which stem from Maxwell’s words on PERFECTION:

Although the Savior admonished us to be perfect, even as He and His Father are perfect, we will leave mortality with that task largely unfulfilled.

Since our understanding is limited by our finiteness and perfection is an infinite quality, we will not be capable of perfection until the limits are lifted from our understanding.

Our task during our mortal sojourn is not to achieve perfection, but to make as many steps toward it as possible.

If we but overcome our telestial propensities toward worldliness and put on some of the terrestrial attributes of brotherly love and kindness we will have achieved a great deal during our lives.

I know it is just a sampling, and what Neal A. Maxwell has contributed to the foundations of my beliefs could once again fill the volumes he wrote I wanted to write this Thought as a thank you to him for all he said and for all he was.