By Elder Hugh Tarrer

I would be remised without thoroughly addressing last week’s loss of perhaps my generation’s best artist, musician, arranger, and composer Prince Rogers Nelson. The New York Times obituary said it best “His music was a cornucopia of ideas triumphantly & brilliantly kaleidoscopic”, and I cannot express fully in this article how important and impactful his music and genius has been in my life. I think I can attest for millions of fans when I say it feels like we loss someone in our family last week. I lay around all weekend looking at videos, documentaries, and the blockbuster movie Purple Rain a few times. You have to admire and feel inspired for someone who maximized his godly gift to the absolute fiber of his being.

There may be some that say honoring a man like this is to much, what about Jesus. To them I say first, “really”.

To be plainly pragmatic the thought of honoring someone immediately brings me in the mind of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans 13:7 render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. The word honour in Greek translates to (time) pronounce tee’-may which means valuing by which the price is fixed. This explains euphemisms like spending all my time, or spending quality time. If one cannot honor a man and his accomplishment or things of virtue and praise. How then can he honor the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords? The bible has several scriptures about God being able, because it is His ability, and our works added that makes the world see an outward reflection of Him. For example if you show respect, God adds His able and you become respectable, if you show honor he then adds his able and you become honorable.

The bible re-affirms in Romans 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. Men and women who don’t, won’t or can’t do their reasonable service in honoring those worthy, or efforts, and accomplishments of others are socialistically afforded the title of “hater” in today’s society.

Jesus forewarned us of this John 15:18 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” There are people whom blow out your proverbial candle in hopes of making theirs brighter, but the brightness does not and will not come. Although, annoying and backwards the haters should be embraced and celebrated. Why you ask, because they are your motivators. Think back in your life and realize that nothing fuels you more than those who say “you CANT.”

In your lifetime your haters are your elevators. They are pessimistic dream- crushers who have a “them problem” not a “you problem”. They hated Jesus, so who are we? Personally, I’ve accepted the fact that you’re not really doing anything if you don’t have at least 3 or 4 haters in your life. So honor the greaters and embrace the haters, by striving for greater, then celebrate, and congratulate those who have accomplished and achieved it. Jesus is Lord, so every celebration and honor for man should pale in comparison to that which our Lord and Savior deserves. Because He is worthy and greatly to be praised. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the King 1 Peter 2:17.

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