It all started when my YCLs (I was YCL leader this year) did a morning cheer that made fun of the 4th years. OK, I was not proud of that and I stopped them all on their way to breakfast to tell them there was one way out of this to avoid war with the 4th years - an obsequious apology. (No, I didn't use the word obsequious with them.) At the first opportunity they needed to do a cheer or sing a song expressing how wonderful the 4th years are. Nothing makes your enemy look worse to others than being nice to them. So they sang a "We love you song" to the 4th years and I thought we were done.
Until the next night some candy was taken from the YCL cabin. And the next day when the cabin was TP'd and more candy taken. (Can I mention that this kind of stuff is strictly forbidden at our girls camp?) I was worried about what the response would be from my girls. Would they escalate the war? Certainly some of them were upset.
At evening flag their response was clear - they did a peppy cheer about themselves and then sang a verse of "I'm trying to be like Jesus." I got tearful looking at these 18 girls from all over the stake and thinking how much I love them and how proud I was of their behavior. In that moment they really turned the other cheek and loved their enemy.Choosing the higher path and enjoying the blessings of eternal salvation is the best revenge. Even better, though, is when those despitefully use you choose the higher path and get to enjoy eternal salvation with you.
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