This devotional will be just a little different. It is taken from an Ensign article from August 1977 by President Marion G. Romney. Instead of talking about what he says- I am going to simply quote him as he quotes various other sources. My prayer is that we can all read what he says and take to heart those things that apply to us:

My appeal in this message is that we control our tongues, and by speaking kind words to each other emulate in our relationships with each other the loving kindness the Lord has for his people, as expressed by Isaiah when he said:

"I will mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses." (Isa. 63:7.)

"Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." (Luke 6:35-36.)

And for His crucifiers, he prayed, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34.)

Paul, in his epistle to the Ephesians, said:

"I . beseech you . with all lowliness and meekness . to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Eph. 4:1-3, 29, 31-32.)

In his general epistle, the apostle James gives this counsel:

"Be swift to hear, but slow to speak." (James 1:19.)

In America, King Benjamin instructed parents not to suffer their children to "fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness." (Mosiah 4:14.)

"Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence" (D&C 4:6; italics added)-thus identifying these virtues as essential to missionary service.

Let us, therefore, resolve to control our tongues and by speaking kind words to each other emulate the loving kindness of our Lord.

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