Stop It!

First, a side note.  I wonder if we'll consider the 2010's as the decade of the internet memes... I first heard the word meme a couple of years ago.  From Wikipedia:

 A meme ( /ˈmiːm/; meem)^[1] is "an idea, behavior or style that spreads from person to person within a culture."^[2] A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols or practices, which can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals or other imitable phenomena. Supporters of the concept regard memes as cultural analogues to genes in that they self-replicate, mutate and respond to selective pressures.^[3]

Most of that selectivity and replication and self-replication is on Facebook.  The originals all were an image with a black border and a brief phrase below, like a motivational poster.  Then they were superimposed dialogue on interesting pictures.  Then there was the "What you think you do/what your mom thinks you do... etc" and the simple vintage-style line drawings with a housewife and a caption.

Well the context for my thinking about this is when I was reviewing the LDS General Conference talk given in October 2012 by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf entitled "The Merciful Obtain Mercy." The talk was wonderfully pointed and motivational to the end of forgiving those who offend us, avoiding casting judgement, and seeing our fellow man from the perspective that God sees them.  The main punchline was that the solution to these ills is "STOP IT!"  (Elder Uchtdorf always has quotable quotes.)  You can see where this is headed.

And sure enough there are many to choose from.  Here's one that highlights the main take-away of the talk:

Here's another designer's version.  Briefer, to the point.

I like this one, too, as it is simple, direct, to the point.  I could envision this being framed art or wall art or passed around on Facebook.

You want more choices?  Google with keywords 'stop it Uchtdorf' or some combination thereof, and you get a whole host of options.  Honestly!  People must have really felt motivated by those words!  It's not that they are so interesting or remarkable or intricate; the secret to extending mercy is to simply stop judging. 

Please review the talk for all its simplicity.  If you want to see what a living prophet of God looks like, you can watch this two minute snippet.

Highlights?

Forgiving ourselves and others is not easy. In fact, for most of us it requires a major change in our attitude and way of thinking—even a change of heart. But there is good news. This “mighty change”⁸ of heart is exactly what the gospel of Jesus Christ is designed to bring into our lives.

How is it done? Through the love of God.

When our hearts are filled with the love of God, something good and pure happens to us. We “keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.”⁹

The more we allow the love of God to govern our minds and emotions—the more we allow our love for our Heavenly Father to swell within our hearts—the easier it is to love others with the pure love of Christ. As we open our hearts to the glowing dawn of the love of God, the darkness and cold of animosity and envy will eventually fade.

 Then jumping to the end: 

Brothers and sisters, there is enough heartache and sorrow in this life without our adding to it through our own stubbornness, bitterness, and resentment. We are not perfect. The people around us are not perfect.¹⁹ People do things that annoy, disappoint, and anger. In this mortal life it will always be that way.

Nevertheless, we must let go of our grievances. Part of the purpose of mortality is to learn how to let go of such things. That is the Lord’s way.Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive.

Lay your burden at the Savior’s feet. Let go of judgment. Allow Christ’s Atonement to change and heal your heart. Love one another. Forgive one another. The merciful will obtain mercy.

Of this I testify in the name of the One who loved so well and so completely that He gave His life for us, His friends—in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 I am Joseph Jackson and I approve of this message.  (Isn't it remarkably simple, yet true?)