“Never Suppress a Generous Thought.”

The main point that I take away from Sister Michelle D. Craig's talk, Divine Discontent, is a short saying that originally came from Sister Kimball, the wife of President Spencer W. Kimball: “Never suppress a generous thought.”

I love that! “Never suppress a generous thought.” Sometimes when I have an impression to do something for someone, I wonder if it was a prompting or just my own thoughts. But I am reminded that “that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.” (Moroni 7:13)

Whether they are direct promptings or just impulses to help, a good deed is never wasted, for “charity never faileth” (1 Corinthians 13:8)—and is never the wrong response.

I think I might adopt that saying as some kind of mantra. I am told that I often help people, and I do often help my family and friends, but there are also times when I have an opportunity to help strangers, and I sometimes let the opportunity pass, not wanting to make things awkward for either of us.

I also sometimes worry that I'm not as in tune with the Spirit as I should be. I often can't tell whether a thought in my head is divine inspiration or my mind playing tricks on me. However, in light of the scriptures Sister Craig has shared, that may not be a great concern. Whether the thought is divine or deranged, it is a good thought so long as it is a thought about doing good. "Every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good . . . is inspired of God."

So, it seems that every generous thought is actually inspired by God, making each generous thought a divine prompting — a direct and personal commandment from God. I think I ought to take my generous thoughts more seriously and act on them more often.