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LDS teacher, American, but most of all a

I heard this story today, I have the feeling that I heard it somewhere else before but I thought I would share it with you here...

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An LDS active guy, a teacher,  is in Iran teaching two teenage children privately. In the course of their instruction the teacher mentions why he does not drink, or smoke, etc. He reveals to them the Word of Wisdom and points out that he keeps this law.

Later on the kids become impressed with the standards of this teacher and with the permission of their father invite him home for dinner with the family. During the course of dinner the father offers the teacher an alcoholic drink. The teacher refuses which causes a face of displeasure to the father who keeps on insisting. Finally the teacher gives in, fearing that he may be seen unfriendly because of the customs of the house or Iran. The teacher drinks and it makes the father happy, however the children look on with a somber face.

Next day, class begins and the children have a sad face. The teacher worried, wonders what happened. The children ask the teacher why he took the drink. The teacher explained that he did not want to, but he did not want to insult their father by refusing. The children are now shocked by that response and say to him that before he came for dinner they would always tell the father how honorable a teacher they had, he has such high standards and they explained the Word of Wisdom. Father would always respond not to believe what the Americans say because they are not of their word, but the children did not believe. That night when you came our father wanted to prove us wrong, and he did, because you took the drink.

After that the teacher himself became somber and felt like a failure because he lowered his standards out of fear. The children then became less likely to believe any other 'principles' thought by the teacher and their concept about Americans was also changed.

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Think about this story...
What are your thoughts? I am sure it makes you ponder now as your own may be at war. What do you feel about it?

a of most American teacher LDS

I thought I replied to this message earlier today, but apparently I got interrupted and didn't post it.

Anyway, I think this is exactly the kind of thing I mean when in other posts recently I have said we are too concerned about what others might think of us. We don't want to offend anyone. If the choice is between offending Heavenly Father or a man on this earth. The choice shouldn't be to do what the man wants, but what Heavenly Father has told us.

To drink alcohol knowingly in this situation was wrong. It wasn't a matter of survival. I don't know what I would do if I thought my life was on the line, but this was just a case of not wanting to offend the host!

To top it all off, this was a test and this guy failed it. Not only did he fail, and let down the Lord, he let down those kids as well.