Powerfully Meek

I saw my son correct a new deacon into the right place in the sacrament line-up by grabbing him by the shoulder and moving him into place.

Afterwards I told him to try asking.  I said that a man should be as powerful as he can but also have his power as under restraint as he can.

That is I think the right answer, but I’ve just been reading about the cultures of early America so I reflected that my answer wasn’t the answer that everyone would give.

Some of the earnest, pious settler groups would emphasize the meekness and restraint only.  Some of the more hard-bitten groups would emphasize the power only.

And while I think my advice to my son is right, it isn’t perfect and it can’t be perfect.  Nothing mortal can capture the fulness of the truth.  There are situations where power is called for that only the unrelenting focus on power, with all its faults, is going to be equal to.  There are situations where meekness and restraint are called for that only the relatively pure emphasis on meekness and restraint will have prepared a man for.  Every approach leaves money on the table.  Every approach folds on winning hands, and matches bets with no cards worth betting.

All we can do is muddle through.