“Murmuring consists of three steps, each leading to the next
in a descending path to disobedience.” First, people begin to question. They
question “first in their own minds,” and then they plant questions “in the
minds of others.” Second, those who murmur begin to “rationalize and excuse
themselves from doing what they [have] been instructed to do. … Thus, they
[make] an excuse for disobedience.” Their excuses lead to the third step:
“Slothfulness in following the commandment of the Master. …“I invite you to
focus on the commandment from living prophets that bothers you the most. Do you
question whether the commandment is applicable to you? Do you find ready
excuses why you cannot now comply with the commandment? Do you feel frustrated
or irritated with those who remind you of the commandment? Are you slothful in
keeping it? Beware of the deception of the adversary. Beware of murmuring”
(Elder H. Ross Workman “Beware of Murmuring,” General Conference, Oct.
2001).
