How to Handle Differing Opinions and Be A Good Part of a Discussion

From the Institute Manual 

 

More of Virtue

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) encouraged us to “speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults” and to “more generously compliment virtue and effort.”

Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Continuing Pursuit of Truth,” Ensign, Apr. 1986, 4.

Complaining and whining

"Speak encouragingly, including about yourself. Try not to complain and moan incessantly.
... No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Tongue of Angels," Ensign, May 2007, 18.

The Adversary's Tactics

“The adversary would love to bind our tongues—anything to prevent us from expressing verbally the feelings of our hearts face to face. He delights in distance and distraction; he delights in noise; he delights in impersonal communication—anything that would prevent us from the warmth of a voice and the personal feelings that come from conversing eye to eye.”

Rosemary M. Wixom, From a Salt Lake City stake conference satellite broadcast address given on October 24, 2010. 

Families Together Forever

“If we desire our families to be together forever, we begin the process today. Spending time talking with our children is an investment in our eternal family as we walk the path toward eternal life together.”

Rosemary M. Wixom, From a Salt Lake City stake conference satellite broadcast address given on October 24, 2010. 

Communicate With Parents

“So replace any fear or apprehension you have now with faith—faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, faith in your father and your mothers. Stay close to them. You may be living a long way away from your mom and your dad. My counsel is that you stay constantly in touch with them. Communicate. You can do that easily now, and at no cost. It’s so important for you to keep that tie to your mother and your father wherever they may be.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard, “Preparing for the Future,” From an address given to young single adults at an April 28, 2011, meeting in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.