Don't Pull Weeds in Other People's Gardens.

Post 8 by Judy Rix...

One of the Savior's many exemplary attributes was the wise use of His agency. He chose to forgive even when the transgressor didn't request it. He chose to do good even when it wasn't appreciated.

When you're offering help and it's either misunderstood or not appreciated, do you ever feel like no good deed goes unpunished?

A friend was about to make what appeared to me to be a bad choice. Out of love and concern, I was wondering what I might do to help.

While I was thinking about what to do, I strolled past a lovely garden in our neighborhood. I noticed a couple of dandelions and couldn't resist pulling them out.

Immediately, the Lord spoke to my mind: "Don't pull weeds in other people's gardens."

I clearly understood the analogy for my own little dilemma: Other people's choices belong to them, not me. There might be factors I'm unaware of that affect their decisions. And perhaps, I might even concede their decisions could be wiser than mine.

Agency -- the freedom to choose -- is a fundamental part of God's plan of salvation. He allows us to decide our own course of action so we can learn and develop.

Sometimes, even though our intentions are good, intervening to help or rescue can possibly rob another person of their opportunity for growth. To be more like the Savior, we need to develop the humility to allow others their own freedom of choice.

Conclusion: Don't pull weeds in other peoples' gardens! We can strive for perfection in ourselves and allow others to seek it in their own way.

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Go to the Source -- What do the Scriptures and Respected Teachers Say?

"That every man may act in doctrine and principle … according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins." (D&C 101:78)

"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh...And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death according to the captivity and power of the devil." (BOM 2 Nephi 2:27)

“Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves — to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.” (2 Nephi 10:23)

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