Changes

177:2.1 In the [[course]] of this day's [[visiting]] with [[John Mark]], [[Jesus]] spent considerable [[time]] [[comparing]] their early [[childhood]] and later boyhood [[experiences]]. Although [[John Mark|John]]'s [[parents]] possessed more [[Wealth|of this world's goods]] than had [[Jesus]]' [[parents]], there was much [[experience]] in their boyhood which was very similar. [[Jesus]] said many things which helped [[John Mark|John]] better to [[understand]] his [[parents]] and other members of his [[family]]. When the lad asked [[the Master]] how he could know that he would turn out to be a " mighty [[messenger]] of [[the kingdom]], " [[Jesus]] said:

177:2.1 In the [[course]] of this day's [[visiting]] with [[John Mark]], [[Jesus]] spent considerable [[time]] [[comparing]] their early [[childhood]] and later boyhood [[experiences]]. Although [[John Mark|John]]'s [[parents]] possessed more [[Wealth|of this world's goods]] than had [[Jesus]]' [[parents]], there was much [[experience]] in their boyhood which was very similar. [[Jesus]] said many things which helped [[John Mark|John]] better to [[understand]] his [[parents]] and other members of his [[family]]. When the lad asked [[the Master]] how he could know that he would turn out to be a " mighty [[messenger]] of [[the kingdom]], " [[Jesus]] said:

177:2.2 " I know you will [[prove]] [[loyal]] to the [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]] because I can depend upon your present [[faith]] and [[love]] when these [[qualities]] are grounded upon such an early [[training]] as has been your portion at [[home]]. You are the product of a [[home]] where the [[parents]] bear each other a [[sincere]] [[affection]], and therefore you have not been overloved so as injuriously to exalt your [[concept]] of [[self]]-importance. Neither has your [[personality]] suffered [[distortion]] in [[consequence]] of your [[parents]]' loveless [[Competition|maneuvering]] for your [[confidence]] and [[loyalty]], the one against the other. You have [[enjoyed]] that parental [[love]] which insures laudable [[self]]-[[confidence]] and which fosters [[normal]] [[feelings]] of [[security]]. But you have also been fortunate in that your [[parents]] possessed [[wisdom]] as well as [[love]]; and it was [[wisdom]] which led them to withhold most forms of indulgence and many [[luxuries]] which [[wealth]] can buy while they sent you to the [[synagogue]] [[school]] along with your [[neighborhood]] playfellows, and they also [[encouraged]] you to [[learn]] how to live in this world by [[permitting]] you to have [[original]] [[experience]]. You came over to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethabara Jordan], where we [[preached]] and [[John the Baptist|John]]'s [[disciples]] [[baptized]], with your young [[friend]] Amos. Both of you [[desired]] to go with us. When you returned to [[Jerusalem]], your [[parents]] consented; Amos's parents refused; they [[loved]] their son so much that they [[denied]] him the [[blessed]] [[experience]] which you have had, even such as you this day [[enjoy]]. By running away from [[home]], Amos could have joined us, but in so doing he would have wounded [[love]] and [[sacrificed]] [[loyalty]]. Even if such a [[course]] had been [[wise]], it would have been a terrible price to pay for [[experience]], [[independence]], and [[liberty]]. [[Wise]] [[parents]], such as yours, see to it that their [[children]] do not have to wound [[love]] or stifle [[loyalty]] in order to [[develop]] [[independence]] and [[enjoy]] [[invigorating]] [[liberty]] when they have grown up to your age.

177:2.2 " I know you will [[prove]] [[loyal]] to the [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]] because I can depend upon your present [[faith]] and [[love]] when these [[qualities]] are grounded upon such an early [[training]] as has been your portion at [[home]]. You are the product of a [[home]] where the [[parents]] bear each other a [[sincere]] [[affection]], and therefore you have not been overloved so as injuriously to exalt your [[concept]] of [[self]]-importance. Neither has your [[personality]] suffered [[distortion]] in [[consequence]] of your [[parents]]' loveless [[Competition|maneuvering]] for your [[confidence]] and [[loyalty]], the one against the other. You have [[enjoyed]] that parental [[love]] which insures laudable [[self]]-[[confidence]] and which fosters [[normal]] [[feelings]] of [[security]]. But you have also been fortunate in that your [[parents]] possessed [[wisdom]] as well as [[love]]; and it was [[wisdom]] which led them to withhold most forms of indulgence and many [[luxuries]] which [[wealth]] can buy while they sent you to the [[synagogue]] [[school]] along with your [[neighborhood]] playfellows, and they also [[encouraged]] you to [[learn]] how to live in this world by [[permitting]] you to have [[original]] [[experience]]. You came over to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethabara Jordan], where we [[preached]] and [[John the Baptist|John]]'s [[disciples]] [[baptized]], with your young [[friend]] Amos. Both of you [[desired]] to go with us. When you returned to [[Jerusalem]], your [[parents]] consented; Amos's parents refused; they [[loved]] their son so much that they [[Prohibition|denied]] him the [[blessed]] [[experience]] which you have had, even such as you this day [[enjoy]]. By running away from [[home]], Amos could have joined us, but in so doing he would have wounded [[love]] and [[sacrificed]] [[loyalty]]. Even if such a [[course]] had been [[wise]], it would have been a terrible price to pay for [[experience]], [[independence]], and [[liberty]]. [[Wise]] [[parents]], such as yours, see to it that their [[children]] do not have to wound [[love]] or stifle [[loyalty]] in order to [[develop]] [[independence]] and [[enjoy]] [[invigorating]] [[liberty]] when they have grown up to your age.

177:2.3 " [[Love]], John, is the [[supreme]] [[reality]] of the [[universe]] when [[bestowed]] by all-[[wise]] [[beings]], but it is a [[dangerous]] and oftentimes semi[[selfish]] [[trait]] as it is [[manifested]] in the [[experience]] of [[mortal]] [[parents]]. When you get [[married]] and have [[children]] of your own to rear, make sure that your [[love]] is [[admonished]] by [[wisdom]] and [[guided]] by [[intelligence]].

177:2.3 " [[Love]], John, is the [[supreme]] [[reality]] of the [[universe]] when [[bestowed]] by all-[[wise]] [[beings]], but it is a [[dangerous]] and oftentimes semi[[selfish]] [[trait]] as it is [[manifested]] in the [[experience]] of [[mortal]] [[parents]]. When you get [[married]] and have [[children]] of your own to rear, make sure that your [[love]] is [[admonished]] by [[wisdom]] and [[guided]] by [[intelligence]].