2025-11-08_email_lights-camera-action
From: jason.heywood@gmail.com To: kaitlynn.heywood@missionary.org CC: kaitlynn.heywood@gmail.com Date: 2025-11-08 Subject: Lights camera ...ACTION
Yapo
- When we are faced with criticism, it is best to respond, not react.
- Seek the Spirit Before You Speak or React
- Focus on Eternal Principles, Not Petty Disputes
- Respond with Meekness and Quiet Confidence
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Our next principle in our journey through responding to criticism is this:
5. Let Your Works and Integrity Speak for Themselves
This one is rather simple but I feel it is also profound. They say actions speak louder than words. Well, it's true.
Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." — Matthew 5:16
One of the reasons I love Mom is because she makes me want to be better simply by being Mom. She lives her life with intention, she does her best, she makes mistakes, she repents daily, she prays all the time, she works hard, she does SO MANY THINGS. She doesn't sit back and tell me, you need to pray more, you need to do this/that. She makes me want to be more simply by her being her. (Which is one important thing you should look for in your future eternal comp).
Taking that same principle into the mission, don't worry about what others are doing. Be happy, regardless of others choices. Be happy because of YOUR choices. Don't judge others for their bad choices - you be you, and be happy that you are you. If others don't do what you do, well, they probably don't have a testimony about it. You do.
Conversely, if you are feeling attacked - let it slide, not stick. Ask yourself, was what they said true? If so, learn from it and be humble. If it was not true - don't worry about it. Think about it this way, if you were wearing a yellow shirt, and someone insulted your blue shirt - you would think they were an idiot because you are clearly wearing a yellow shirt. Their insults would only show their own ignorance. Your shirt (your actions/works/integrity) are clear, and if they cannot see it, the problem is not with you, it is with them. In many cases, It may actually make you feel bad for the person because they are short sided and just can't see what is in front of them. It would elicit feelings of mercy and encouragement as opposed to feelings of retribution.
D&C 124:15 15 And again, verily I say unto you, blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith; for I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right before me, saith the Lord.
I hope I can live someday so the Lord will be able to say something like that about me.
Examples:
This passage comes after the Anti-Nephi-Lehies (later called the people of Ammon) flee from persecution and are given some land from the Nephites. They had covenanted never to take up arms again after converting to the gospel.
Alma 27:26–27 "And it came to pass that it did cause great joy among them. And they went down into the land of Jershon, and took possession of the land of Jershon And they were among the people of Nephi, and also numbered among the people who were of the church of God. And they were also distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end."
Their integrity was so consistent and genuine that others could see it. They didn't need to defend their faith with words—their actions and humility bore powerful witness.
3 Nephi 12:16
When Jesus appeared to the Nephites: "Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Letting your works speak means that your quiet acts of righteousness direct people to God, not to yourself. It's not about impressing others—it's about glorifying the Father.
Alma 5:27–28
Alma the Younger was speaking to the people of Zarahemla. "Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ…Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God."
True integrity begins in our heart. Rather than boasting or justifying ourselves when attacked, Alma shows us to quietly ensure that our standing before God is clean—that speaks louder than any outward defense.
What other scriptures can you think of? What are scenarios that letting your works speak for themselves would be helpful?
Yesterday was a busy day. I went for a 3 mile walk at about 5:30 AM, came home and studied the principles I sent you in the letter, then wrote and sent that letter. I went into the office for a couple hours, then came home for a couple hours before going to lunch with Dave Petersen, and then going to my 1 month follow up from my Lasik procedure. The cool thing - I now have 20/15 vision in my Lasik eye. My other eye is completely retarded though, so I guess my good eye knows how Mom feels when she has to compensate for me :). Mom went to Southern Utah yesterday afternoon to spend some time with her folks, and then go through the temple with Danika today. She's coming home later this afternoon and bringing Aunt Kathi with her.
Today I'm going to the wood store with Dave. I had a dream that BYU lost today 32-36. We'll see.
Here is a picture I took after my walk yesterday morning.
When I was at lunch the Elders cam. It seriously looked like one was 12 years old, so we laughed and I took their picture.
This picture shows how close to Christmas it is getting.
Haha. I love you. Have a good day. Let your actions speak for themselves. Don't let trivial pinpricks stick. Choose to be happy, choose to respond, or not. Take truth when it is given to you in an ugly poo ball, or in a beautiful diamond. Either scenario, it's a gift that can make you better. If it is not truth then you don't have to spend a second in correction - your actions will do that for themselves.
The church is true! Jesus Loves you!!
Dad
Attachments: IMG_7672.jpeg, IMG_7674.jpeg, IMG_7675.jpeg (not downloaded)