Despise is to "look down on with contempt or aversion. And to regard as negligible, worthless, or distasteful." (Merriam-Webster). At a time when there are so many people talking about acceptance of others, or the need to be tolerant, none of us want to put ourselves in the category of being one who "despises". But I ask, are you? This is a hard question to ask oneself. It is something we must each ponder individually and then be totally honest with ourselves about our own behavior. I love that Mormon asks if we not only despise the children of God, but also, do we despise the works of God? How are you doing in that category? This statement, made by a prophet of God, is a good one to ponder about gender: "Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose" (The Family: a Proclamation to the World). Do we despise this work of the Lord? How about marriage between a man and a woman? These are good questions to ask ourselves and seek for God's help in understanding them and all of His works.
The word wonder also caught my attention. It isn't wander, like being lost. It is wonder, as in doubt and uncertainty (see Merriam-Webster). Those who despise or hate or dislike the works of God or the children of God will wonder- they will doubt and be uncertain and shall "perish". Do you "wonder" if there is a God? If so, how do you seek to know if He is there? It's not wrong to have doubts, but it's what we do with our doubts and how we address them that make all the difference.
So what is the solution to wondering and despising? The next verse has a wonderful answer. It reads: "O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before Him." (Mormon 9:27)
We are being invited to "despise not, and wonder not" and replace those behaviors with the action to "hearken" - which is to "give respectful attention, to give heed to" (Merriam-Webster). Mormon also invites us to "ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever we shall stand in need". Ask! He doesn't say, quit thinking, just obey. Rather he invites us to the best solution- which is to ask for the things we need. Sometimes the things we need are compassion, understanding, kindness, patience, or perhaps even a new heart.
How often has someone whom you disagree with, invited you to ask for anything you stand in need and that it will be given to you? The way of God is to extend the hand of mercy, "His hand is stretched out still" (Isaiah 9:12). One must take notice of the footnote to this phrase. It says: "In spite of all, the Lord is available if they will turn to Him", (see also verses 17, 21). He is asking us to "come unto [Him]". He wants us to be able to feel His love for us as we come unto Him by serving and helping others, by making and keeping covenants. We all get to decide how we want to "work out" our salvation.
One last thought. God wants us to know, to understand, and to believe truth. In order to do this we must first let go of our doubts and open our hearts with faith, believing we will receive all that we desire for our good (see Mosiah 4:21, James 4:2-3). I love this encouragement from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith" (Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf). I love that he invites us to let faith lead us when we have doubts. I feel it takes a lot of courage to move forward when one has doubts. God will help us with anything we need clarity. Anything! That's pretty awesome, if you ask me.
