Words Matter
Words Matter
President Quinn’s Weekly Message
California Santa Rosa Mission
May 5th, 2024
We extend a warm welcome to our six missionaries who joined us last Friday. Sister Quinn and I had the opportunity of meeting with them on Friday and Saturday. They are impressive missionaries! We look forward to serving with them in CASRM.
I take my message this week from Elder Rasband’s talk in April General Conference, Words Matter.
Last Thursday was transfer day. I know many of you feel great anxiety as a transfer approaches. This anxiety often comes with the prospect of living 24/7 with a new companion – someone you may not know well or with whom you have very little in common. It can be stressful. I get it.
Elder Rasband offered some advice I believe can be helpful in a new companionship. He taught:
“Our words can be supportive or angry, joyful or mean, compassionate or tossed aside. In the heat of the moment, words can sting and sink painfully deep into the soul—and stay there. …Let me suggest three simple phrases that we can use to take the sting out of difficulties and differences, lift, and reassure each other: “Thank you.” “I am sorry.” And “I love you.””
In Proverbs we are taught:
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)
There are so many things I love, adore, and admire about Sister Quinn. One of these is her ability to use words to respond with softness and kindness. Many times I have watched Sister Quinn turn a potentially contentious conversation into a unifying and building one. She uses words and phrases like those shared by Elder Rasband. It is a gift of hers I deeply admire.
As you begin this new transfer, please remember how important words are in building and forging love and respect in your companionship. Please remember the phrase I often quote from John Bytheway:
“Praise is one thing we shouldn’t keep to ourselves.”
I encourage you to find opportunities each day to use the three phrases presented above by Elder Rasband in your companionship. Please find opportunities to give sincere praise to your companion and fellow missionaries. I know there is something to love and admire in every missionary. Let CASRM be a mission where our words matter – where our words communicate love and build each other. I promise that as you use words of love with each other, you will be blessed with the Spirit in your life and companionship.
We look forward to seeing you in zone conferences this week. Thank you for contributing to our mission culture of high love and high expectations – a culture centered on discipleship to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Love,
President Quinn
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