The power of language

January 11, 2014

We spent the afternoon in a beautiful baptism activity. Hailey, our granddaughter, (David and Susan’s oldest daughter) was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Each time I have the opportunity to be part of an experience in which our Savior, Jesus Christ also participated I feel particularly blessed. This spiritual feast was especially amazing because it brought together a significant number of family members from both Susan and David’s families. Unlike other families, we are not all perfect.

We actually like each other but sometimes I hear little vibrations that lead me to believe some hidden agendas are alive and well within the framework of our family structure. In the beautiful blessing our son David gave Hailey after her confirmation he pleaded with the Lord to give Hailey and each of us the strength and the wisdom to rise above petty differences and love everyone. After the baptism we had a delightful munch and mingle and I talked and listened to many wonderful people. I couldn’t help but think of those who have already passed through the veil. One individual that I missed was Susan’s father. He was a quiet and unassuming man, but when he had an opportunity to share his testimony he would rise to the occasion and share some of the most powerful, spirit-heightening thoughts on our Savior and the blessings we look forward to as we gather once again on the other side of the veil.

My mother was another who would have been there had she not also gone ahead to prepare a place for us. She used very few words to share her love for life and for our Savior. Her greatest attribute was her example. Lucy Baca Livermore Jacobs was a true saint. She loved her family, her brother and sisters; she loved her extended family – her nieces and nephews and her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She never tired of thanking God for her good life and experiences. No, she wasn’t perfect either, but she probably came as close as anyone I know in this life. She did have a little way of letting you know that someone had something that was not quite in keeping with her perspective. She would say, “. . .bless his heart”, then go on to share what she perceived to be a slight, or other minor “sin”.

An offensive part of any language is potty jokes and plain old fashioned swearing. Unfortunately, most modern writers and commentators feel absolutely obligated to throw in dirty language just to spice things us so people will think they are on the cutting edge. A recent movie is said to have the abbreviation for “Fornication Under Crown of King” stated clearly in loud, bold obnoxious bursts every fifty nine seconds. It is not bad enough that these high priced smut pushers get paid for sharing their uncouth, offensive language and call it art, many who worship these anti-christs emulate them in their daily speech, on the internet, facebook and any other place they feel so inclined thinking they will also be considered “cool”. In fact, they simply share with the world that their language skills are insufficient to allow them to take care of the most minimal experiences without showing their utter disrespect for those around them.

One young man with whom I have frequent occasion to visit has this problem. Nothing or no one seems to be immune from his nasty side. Unfortunately, most of the things we share on digital waves such as my weekly blog; will be recorded in the archives of our minds for eons to come. People who share their ignorance through such disrespect will find that the friends, the family, the business or other associations which they experience will all be colored by such nonsense.

My plea for each of us is to do as the first rule of carpentry dictates. Measure twice and cut once. Translating that to language; think twice then share carefully. Love everyone; think about the consequences of what you share way before you share it. Like it or not, we are all very tender and take things very directly and very personally.

God bless each of us as we try to live our very imperfect lives in ways that will lift and encourage those around us.

Duane Jacobs, grandfather, father, brother, uncle, cousins and friend