No, Thank You!
Be Honest With Yourself:No, Thank You!
How should you answer the person who invites you to “take a cigarette” or “have a drink” — or do anything which is against your conscience or contrary to the teachings of your Heavenly Father?
What should you say? How much do you need to explain or apologize? When, if ever, should you compromise just a little for the sake of appearance?
The answer is easy. Just say “No — no, thank you.” Don’t waver. Don’t worry about how others may think or act. Be your own natural, honest self. Everyone admires sincerity.
If the invitation to indulge in something you don’t believe in comes from a host or hostess while you are a guest, your answer will come even easier. The obligation of courtesy is not that of the guest but of the host.
The gracious host will never press you, never question your right to be yourself in matters of conscience. He will admire you for your forthright stand.
It’s natural to want to be liked by the crowd. But compromising with principles is always wrong, often dangerous.
What is right? What is wrong? Fortunately, there are ways for members of the Church to recognize right from wrong. Read the Scriptures; listen to the teachings of your Church leaders. And listen, also, to the whisperings of that “still, small voice.” When it whispers: “It’s wrong; don’t do it!” — say firmly, honestly, finally: “No, thank you — no!”
BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF.
Comments
jenny
My brother-in-law and his wife were at a doctor do once with a Russian theme. At the top of each place setting was a shot glass already filled with vodka. A friend of theirs–a bit of a dim bulb–trilled, “Oooh! I wonder what this is?…” She polished it off in one enthusiastic swig, but once the burn started she finally made the connection.
I think that when the time came for refills, the best she probably could have managed would have been a great sucking in of oxygen and a raspy, choking “…can’t…breathe!…” But I’m sure that she was thinking in her head a firm, honest, “No, thank you - no!”