Persuasion and Trust

In one of the most famous passages on how to use Priesthood power, we read that “No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned”  (D&C 121:41).  One place that I think we see an excellent example of this is in Paul’s letter to Philemon. 

Paul wrote in hopes of convincing Philemon to forgive his slave, Onesimus, who had run away.  This former slave had since joined the Church and become as a “son” to Paul (Philemon 1:10).  Paul sent this letter to Philemon by way of Onesimus himself, and given Paul’s authority as an apostle and the fact that Philemon was a member of the Church, Paul could have been “much bold in Christ to enjoin” Philemon to do as he wished (Philemon 1:8).  But instead of trying to use his authority to force Philemon to forgive Onesimus, he instead turned to persuasion and love in hopes that this would convince Philemon to make the right choice in how he would receive Onesimus.  He wrote, “Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee… for my son Onesimus” (Philemon 1:9-10).  Paul wrote of how Onesimus had changed and would be “profitable” and a “brother beloved” to Philemon.  He used reasoning and the power of his friendship to seek to shape Philemon’s decision, but Paul did not resort to force.  Paul also showed great trust in Philemon because he actually sent the letter with Onesimus, and the owner certainly could have disregarded Paul’s request and given the slave great punishment.  This approach of persuasion and trust is the same that others in the scriptures also used.  When Corianton committed grievous sin on his missionary labors, Alma taught him the doctrines of the plan of salvation and then sent him back on a mission with a trust that he would not repeat his mistakes.  When the woman accused of adultery was brought before the Savior, He taught her simply and trusted her to “go and sin on more” instead of condemning her (John 8:11).  When the prophet Joseph Smith made his mistake regarding the lost manuscript pages, the Lord invited him to repent and told him, “thou art still chosen, and art again called to the work” (D&C 3:10).  He gave Joseph a second chance and put great trust in him that he would not be careless again regarding the translation of the Book of Mormon.  These and other examples show that the right way to seek to get others to change is not to use coercion or force like Satan but to employ gospel instruction, persuasion, and ultimately trust.