This story was taken from a talk given by Bishop Vaughn J. Featherstone in the November 1975 New Era. It has such a wonderful message that I just had to share it.
Many years ago I heard the story of the son of King Louis XVI of France. King Louis had been taken from his throne and imprisoned. His young son, the prince, was taken by those who dethroned the king. They thought that inasmuch as the king’s son was heir to the throne, if they could destroy him morally, he would never realize the great and grand destiny that life had bestowed upon him.
They took him to a community far away, and there they exposed the lad to every filthy and vile thing that life could offer. They exposed him to foods the richness of which would quickly make him a slave to appetite. They used vile language around him constantly. They exposed him to lewd and lusting women. They exposed him to dishonor and distrust. He was surrounded 24 hours a day by everything that could drag the soul of a man as low as one could slip. For over six months he had this treatment—but not once did the young lad buckle under pressure. Finally, after intensive temptation, they questioned him. Why had he not submitted himself to these things—why had he not partaken? These things would provide pleasure, satisfy his lusts, and were desirable; they were all his. The boy said, “I cannot do what you ask for I was born to be a king.”
Our father is a king and we were all born to be kingʻs and queenʻs. How wonderful life would be if we truly understood our nobility and conducted ourselves accordingly despite the filth, degradation, and pervertedness that may come our way. This world would be a different place if everyone acted and treated one another with the knowledge of our divine potential.
This is powerful. I sometimes forget that we are sons and daughters of a king. It just makes me think of how I should be acting and also be treating others (expecially my kids) because it would be a little different. I would be kinder, more patient, understanding, more respectful, and all those other awesome qualities.
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