The Wisdom of Age

One thing that age affords you is experience. Experience, when properly analyzed and applied turns into wisdom. I've met very wise old people. I've met very unwise old people. I've met wise young people. And many, many unwise young people.

For the most part wisdom does come with age. As I grew up, I learned that running in to "use the bathroom" when it was time to clean the kitchen after dinner only lead to me having to do more work in scrubbing out the pots and pans before they went in the dishwasher, as opposed to my older sister who would simply clear out the dishwasher and call her half of the chore complete. I became wise with respect to procrastinating that job and what it would mean for me in the end - I would still have to do the work, and usually more of it. So, my newfound wisdom allowed me to rationally see the job and divide equally with my sister the nights of the week when I would clear out the dishes from the dishwasher and the nights she would.

Also, for the most part, wisdom is not frequently found the younger people are. There are plenty of exceptions to this statement. In fact, I have been amazed at some of the tremendous tidbits of wisdom I have received from young AtP. He's no Baxter, but he's good nonetheless.

In the general sense, wisdom does come from experience. Wisdom helps you make better decisions. Wisdom helps you to not overreact when faced with something you don't understand or disagree with. Wisdom helps you to be able to take a step back in those situations and say, "Okay, what is really going on here? What is the big picture?" Wisdom grants you patience. Wisdom keeps your anger in check.

I'm glad I didn't really do anything about my SSA until I was in my 30s. Being older has made me wiser in the Gospel. Wiser in the Plan of Salvation. Wiser in how to recognize the influence of the Spirit. Wiser in making decisions for eternity, rather than just my mortal life. I'm wise enough to have been able to take a step back in those situations that were placed in front of me over the last several months and not falter in what I knew to be the correct decision. I'm wise enough to actually believe in my testimony.

I see much wisdom in the new pamphlet. For example, I even see the wisdom where it controversially states "It is better to choose as friends those who do not publicly display their homosexual feelings." It doesn't say "Don't choose friends who publicly display their homosexual feelings." All of us Mohos have our various effeminate characteristics that are constantly on display because that's just how we naturally are. Yet, I will still choose to be friends with you and that is not an unwise choice. But it is a tremendous temptation to not choose the right if you are close friends with the 100% fags out there. You will be sorely tempted to adopt their lifestyle rather than carry on a life of righteousness. It's hard enough to keep yourself in check with other people who are also trying to live the gospel (just look at my experience with John), let alone those who despise it.

Don't get angry at the pamphlet. Don't overreact. There are some parts that could be written better, as L as so eloquently expounded upon, but as a whole the pamphlet is very uplifting and very helpful.

O be wise; what can I say more?