On 5 November 1937 at the New York Times Book Fair, author and editor Henry A. Wallace (who later went on to be Vice-president of the United States) stated the following while speaking on the subject "Good books of the Nineteenth Century":
"Of all the American religious books of the nineteenth century it seems probable that 'The Book of Mormon' was the most powerful. it reached perhaps only one percent of the people of the United States, but it affected this one percent so powerfully and lastingly that all the people of the United States have been affected."
The Book of Mormon is "others' words"in the greatest sense. First of all, it is a compilation of the words of numerous prophets. More important, however, is the fact (and millions upon millions have now testified to its truth) that it is the word of God. His words should have the utmost presidence when discussing "others' words."
I know the Book of Mormon to be true. It is the word of God and contains the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It has changed my life and is powerful. Mr. Wallace hit an important point, but, in my opinion, was extreme litotes.
Let me throw several interesting little events at you. I'm going to deviate a little from the way I thought I was going to write this entry.
1) Not long ago, I saw a poster advertizing a movie entitled "That's What I Am." I don't know a thing about the movie (except that Ed Harris might be in it. Man, he's getting old.) but the title struck me. I thought of some wonderful conversations I had with a very good friend of mine in which we discussed that very idea. Who and what are we? We had a very simple conclusion: "We are Pure Potential."
2) As I've thought lately about how to overcome my personal struggles and difficulties, I read once again this quote from the profoundly honest Abe:
"Is is difficult to make a man miserable when he feels he is worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him."
This made me think of another of my favorites, from the powerfully humble and humbly powerful Ezra Taft Benson:
"Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar His face is to us."
3) Usually when I begin to write a blog, I look for a Church-produced video that goes along with the theme for the day. Sometimes I have to search for just the right one. Today, I got on to the Church's Youtube channel and found that this video had been added 7 hours ago.
All these little things have been adding up around me this week. In the words of one of my favorite hymns of all time, "how can I keep from singing?" I know that I am a child of the creator of worlds without number. I know that we all are. I feel that our separation from Him in this mortal life, is our opportunity to come to appreciate that reality more fully. He is constantly showing us evidence of His existence, of His love, and of our relationship to Him. We are pure potential. Simply to realize that allows us to tap into it.
In others' words... "To see things in the seed. That is genius." -Lao Tzu
I think too often, we think of charity as this grand thing that is only put into action by large-scale demonstrations. We seem to place simple love out of our own reach. But, as Neal A. Maxwell said, even God's love is "macro-love with micro-manifestations!"
None of us has true charity as Jesus Christ did, and I don't think we will any time soon. But that doesn't absolve us from the duty, and from the privilege of putting our "widow's mite" in the coffer. A smile? A handshake? Giving the benefit of the doubt?
Maybe we're don't have perfect love. But He does. I know He's more than willing to give it to us if we agree to pass it along.
Can't we just be a little...kind?
In others' words...
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." -Dalai Lama
The best portion of a good man's life - his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.
-William Wordsworth
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle."
-Plato
The Book of Mormon is "others' words" in the greatest sense. First of all, it is a compilation of the words of numerous prophets. More important, however, is the fact (and millions upon millions have now testified to its truth) that it is the word of God. His words should have the utmost presidence when discussing "others' words." 
