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How well do we receive criticism? How well do we respond? How often do we seek correction? 

Some examples of both good and bad responses come from the scriptures:

1. Laman and Lemuel smote Nephi and Sam with a rod. Then “an angel of the Lord came and stood before them, and he spake unto them, saying: Why do ye smite your younger brother with a rod? Know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him to be a ruler over you, and this because of your iniquities? Behold ye shall go up to Jerusalem again, and the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands.”1

How did Laman and Lemuel respond? “And after the angel had departed, Laman and Lemuel again began to murmur … “

2. How about another angelic visitation2, this time to Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah. They sought to destroy the church and lead astray the people of the Lord. The angel appeared and said: ” … Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more … “

How did Alma respond? “I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit.”3

3. How would we respond to a rebuke that is recorded in scripture for us?  In Doctrine and Covenants 93:41-50, the Lord commanded Frederick G. Williams, Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith, Jr., and Newel K. Whitney to teach their children light and truth and to set in order their houses.  

4. One time the Prophet Joseph Smith severely rebuked Brigham Young. Instead of being offended or defensive, Brigham simply said, “Joseph, what do you want me to do?”4

President (then Elder) D. Todd Christopherson taught that ” Our Heavenly Father is a God of high expectations. His expectations for us are expressed by His Son, Jesus Christ, in these words: “I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect” (3 Nephi 12:48). He proposes to make us holy so that we may “abide a celestial glory” (D&C 88:22) and “dwell in his presence” (Moses 6:57). He knows what is required, and so, to make our transformation possible, He provides His commandments and covenants, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and most important, the Atonement and Resurrection of His Beloved Son.”5

“In all of this,” President Christofferson continues, “God’s purpose is that we, His children, may be able to experience ultimate joy, to be with Him eternally, and to become even as He is.”6

So, if the Lord knows us, loves us, and wants us to return to Him and experience ultimate joy, how can we prepare and receive His counsel to do better and be better?

President Christofferson encourages us to adopt “one particular attitude and practice … if we are to meet our Heavenly Father’s high expectations. It is this: willingly to accept and even seek correction. 

He explained: “Divine chastening has at least three purposes: (1) to persuade us to repent, (2) to refine and sanctify us, and (3) at times to redirect our course in life to what God knows is a better path.”

Then President Christofferson described these sources of correction:

  1. Through prayer when the answer is no or different than we expected.
  2. During scripture study when we are reminded of deficiencies, disobedience, or simply matters neglected.
  3. Through others including apostles, prophets, patriarchs, bishops, and others.
  4. From our spouse.
  5. From our parents.

In group counseling, we learned that real change occurs when there is humility and integrity. Humility means I am willing to listen and consider how I can change and then make the change. Integrity means I will “walk the walk” not just “talk the talk.”

President Christofferson shares Moroni’s promise: “If ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is [God’s] grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ” (Moroni 10:32).

May the Lord bless us to humbly seek, accept, and apply correction – walk the walk – as we strive to be better disciples of our Savior Jesus Christ.  

1 1 Nephi 3:29, 31
2 Mosiah 27:8-24
3 Mosiah 27:24
4 Did You Know?, Liahona, February 2003 retrieved February 16, 2026 from
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2003/02/did-you-know?lang=eng
5 Christofferson, D. Todd, "As Many As I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten," General Conference, April 2011.
6 Ibid.