Anger is a primal emotion. It seeks a target, but it begins with pain. The stories of Lamoni's father and the unbelieving Lamanites illustrate that the target of our anger can change. It is better to calm our anger rather than act on it.
Passing Through the Midst of Them
What makes people respond to offenses with physical violence? How can we avoid overreacting when we feel attacked in some way? (1) Never instigate or escalate. (2) Be aware of your natural self. (3) Step away from the mob.
“Doest Thou Well to Be Angry?”
Can our feelings be harmful? Absolutely. Like an undisciplined child, they may need to be trained, guided, and coaxed in the right direction. We need not be slaves to our emotions; we ought to be their master. Jonah was unhappy when God showed mercy to the people of Ninevah. Like the brother of the prodigal... Continue Reading →
Haman
We are all susceptible to those feelings which, if left unchecked, can lead to anger. We experience displeasure or irritation or antagonism, and if we so choose, we lose our temper and become angry with others.Thomas S. Monson, "School Thy Feelings, O My Brother," General Conference, October 2009 Why couldn't Haman be happy? He had... Continue Reading →
“Be Not Grieved, Nor Angry with Yourselves”
Joseph's brothers had plenty of reasons to be unhappy with themselves. They had treated Joseph badly—threatening him with death and selling him into slavery—and had never fully reckoned with the consequences of their actions. The guilt they carried with them colored their reaction to the adversity they were now experiencing in a time of famine.... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Anger?
As we've discussed the last couple of days: We feel sadness when something bad happens to us or to someone we love. We feel fear when we think something bad is likely to happen to us or to someone we love. Anger is also triggered by a negative experience. But unlike sadness and fear, anger... Continue Reading →
Whosoever Is Angry with His Brother – 3 Nephi 12:21-22
21 Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, and it is also written before you, that thou shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment of God; 22 But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in... Continue Reading →
Why Seest Thou This Man…Revile Against This People and Against Our Law? – Helaman 8:1-3
1 And now it came to pass that when Nephi had said these words, behold, there were men who were judges, who also belonged to the secret band of Gadianton, and they were angry, and they cried out against him, saying unto the people: Why do ye not seize upon this man and bring him... Continue Reading →
Amlici Did Stir up Those Who Were in His Favor – Alma 2:7-10
7 And it came to pass that the voice of the people came against Amlici, that he was not made king over the people. 8 Now this did cause much joy in the hearts of those who were against him; but Amlici did stir up those who were in his favor to anger against those... Continue Reading →
Those Lamanites Were More Angry – Alma 25:1-2
1 And behold, now it came to pass that those Lamanites were more angry because they had slain their brethren; therefore they swore vengeance upon the Nephites; and they did no more attempt to slay the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi at that time. 2 But they took their armies and went over into the borders of... Continue Reading →