Richard L. Evans
The Spoken Word
4 December 1966

WORDS AND VOICES

There are words that mean much. There are voices that make them mean much more.

There are words— and voices— of urgency, of kindliness, of pleading, of persuasion. There are words that hurt and words that heal.

And of those that heal, there are words of the Master of mankind, of him who said: “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” The words of him who said: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

A voice pleading for repentance: “… how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”

Words that heal the hearts of those who have lost loved ones, words to soften the sorrow: “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. … that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Words that chided: “… he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me. …” — the voice of him who said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”

The words, the voice of our Savior of whom it was said: “… and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it … did pierce them that did hear to the center …”

And what of our words and voices: “Those … who are sensitive to voices and the beauty of words,” said Celia Cole, “know how a voice can hit a word and bruise it, or touch it … and make it glow. … Oh, touch the … spirit [of this day] beautifully … [not] a harsh word, [not] grudgingness, [not marred by the] memory of an old wrong. …There is one thing each of us can give: … a … promise … never to shatter hope. Never to hurt love.”

Don’t let words bruise; let them heal, and never shatter hope or hurt love. Oh, let us love our loved ones, and others also. Let there be and abide in our hearts and homes the spirit of him who said: “Peace I leave with you. … Let not your heart be troubled. …”