2 Chronicles 10 - 17

After the passing of Solomon, his son, Rehoboam reigned in his stead. Then –

“… Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying,
4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.” (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 10:3 - 4)

In answer the request, Rehoboam responds –

“…Come again unto me after three days…” (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 10:5)

He then pursues –

“…counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?” (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 10:6)

These “old men” had served many years and must have acquired a great deal of wisdom how to motivate and effectively govern people. Their counsel was –

“…If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.” (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 10:7)

Sounds like great counsel. Rehoboam also counsels with “young men” in what he should do. I’m sure these “young men” were his friends or his buddies. Knowing young men, I’m sure they looked at it from the point of view - how will this affect my own prosperity and good life. It was all about taxation and what they could do with thes funds. These young men counseled –

“…Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.
11 For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.” (Old Testament 2 Chronicles 10:10 - 11)

Being young, how could Rehobaom reject the counsel of “the buds”. He chooses to follow the counsel of the “young men” which led to the seceding of Israel and the dividing of two kingdoms. I’m sure the “young men” never received what that hoped for.

Elder Merrill Bateman made some interesting comments in a recent CES Fireside –

“As one experiences the downhill portion of later life, the inevitable aches and pains serve an important purpose. They help one put off King Benjamin’s “natural man [or woman]” as we learn to yield to the “enticings of the Holy Spirit” (Mosiah 3:19). The aches and pains of later life teach humility, the meaning of long-suffering, the importance of patience, and an appreciation for the qualities of kindness and love, and they help one learn moderation in all things. It’s interesting. These are the divine attributes. For the faithful, the slow deterioration of the body serves as a refining instrument for the spirit.”
In April 2006 General Priesthood Session, President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke of the need for greater kindness and said –

“…When a man grows old he develops a softer touch, a kindlier manner. I have thought of this much of late….”

He told of the Prophet Joseph Smith –

“William W. Phelps, who was close to the Prophet Joseph, betrayed him in 1838, which led to Joseph's incarceration in Missouri. Recognizing the great evil of the thing he had done, Brother Phelps wrote to the Prophet, asking forgiveness. The Prophet replied in part as follows:
"It is true, that we have suffered much in consequence of your behavior—the cup of gall, already full enough for mortals to drink, was indeed filled to overflowing when you turned against us. . . .
"However, the cup has been drunk, the will of our Father has been done, and we are yet alive, for which we thank the Lord. . . .
"Believing your confession to be real, and your repentance genuine, I shall be happy once again to give you the right hand of fellowship, and rejoice over the returning prodigal.
"Your letter was read to the Saints last Sunday, and an expression of their feeling was taken, when it was unanimously Resolved, That W. W. Phelps should be received into fellowship.
" 'Come on, dear brother, since the war is past,
" 'For friends at first, are friends again at last' " (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 165–66).

President Hinckley finished with –

“…There is no end to the good we can do, to the influence we can have with others. Let us not dwell on the critical or the negative. Let us pray for strength; let us pray for capacity and desire to assist others. Let us radiate the light of the gospel at all times and all places, that the Spirit of the Redeemer may radiate from us….”