And Nothing Shall Offend Them

Through the strengthening power of the atonement
An offense is over-ruled. We triumph
We can live together with at-one-ment
If we petition in prayer for guidance

Keeping covenants requires dedication
And, of the many who've left their covenants
They are in need of our inspiration
We need prayer to break down walls of offense

Why have they not been participating
In the blessings and programs of the church?
Offtimes they're lifestyles are dissipating
And, grievances have turned them away hurt

These are some of the reasons some have cited:
Some felt excluded and without a friend.
Until some have moved or died
Some vow to not set foot in again

With commandments they struggled to live within
They avoided change and went another way
Do they remember the spirit given?
Do they remember what the scriptures say?

Where once they might have viewed us severely
We pray that they might feel of our concern
If we'd visit and ask them sincerely
Perhaps the spirit might help them return

One of the Lord's disciples has proclaimed
It is time to stop feeling offended
Each of us do things of which we're ashamed
It's time for the lost sheep to feel tended

All must act and not be acted upon
As free agents we can choose for our good
It is time to find the faith that we stand on
The Holy Ghost will witness how we should

[Verse 1] Through the strengthening power Of the atonement An offense is overruled We triumph We can live together With at-one-ment If we petition in prayer For guidance Keeping covenants Requires dedication [Pre-Chorus] And of the many who've left Their covenants They are in need Of our inspiration We need prayer To break down walls Of offense [Chorus] It is time To stop feeling offended It is time To stop feeling offended We can heal We can come back together We can heal If we turn and believe [Verse 2] Why have they not been participating In the blessings and programs Of the church? Offtimes their lifestyles Are dissipating And grievances Have turned them away hurt These are some Of the reasons Some have cited Some felt excluded And without a friend Until some have moved Or died Some vow To not set foot in again [Pre-Chorus] With commandments They struggled to live within They avoided change And went another way Do they remember The spirit given? Do they remember What the scriptures say? [Chorus] It is time To stop feeling offended It is time To stop feeling offended We can heal We can come back together We can heal If we turn and believe [Bridge] Where once they might have Viewed us severely We pray that they might feel Of our concern If we'd visit And ask them sincerely Perhaps the spirit Might help them return One of the Lord's disciples Has proclaimed Each of us do things Of which we're ashamed It is time For the lost sheep To feel tended [Chorus] It is time To stop feeling offended It is time To stop feeling offended All must act And not be acted upon As free agents We can choose for our good It is time To find the faith that we stand on The Holy Ghost Will witness how we should

Elder David A. Bednar
“And Nothing Shall Offend Them,”
Liahona, Nov 2006, 89–92