Foibles

 

One of my husband's most prized possessions is his sword he brought from Toledo (Spain, not Ohio) after his brother's wedding.

It is part of our home security system.  At our old house it hung at the top of the stairs and he was ready to charge down them to defeat any intruders.  

Swords forged from Toledo steel have been coveted and feared for centuries and were used by Hannibal, the Roman Legions, Muslims, the Japanese and of course by The Three Musketeers.  

Made of superb alloys of soft and hard steel at a precise melting point of 1454 degrees F, this allowed for a super strong steel blade with a bit of give.

But even if you have the very best sword that can be produced, every sword blade has three parts.  

The forte, or strongest part, is just above the hilt, or handle.

The middle region is ingeniously called "the middle".  Even I should remember that.

But the part from the middle to the tip, is called the foible. The is the part where a weakness may lie.  It is the part of the blade most likely to

bend or break when dealt a blow.  The part most likely to give under pressure.

In Joseph Smith History 1:28 he confesses that he, like every other human, is afflicted with "the foibles of human nature" that led him to be tempted.  He wasn't perfect because he was human.

We all have those areas that are most easy for us to bend or break under.  To assume that we are made like Toledo steel and able to withstand anything is a foible in and of itself.  

He also says that it was made worse because of those who he felt should have been his friends and been more kindly, but instead persecuted him. 

So many questions come to mind here.  

What are my foibles of human nature? Am I aware of them? Do I plan for and protect from

them?

Who are my friends who know of these but help me avoid temptations? Who stands by me and with affection helps me stay the line? 

How am I doing as a friend when it comes to the weaknesses of others? Do I make it easier or harder for them to give into temptation? 

We are indeed made by a Master Craftsman, each and every one of us.  He is aware of our foibles and knows just how to help us make them our strengths.  He has given us friends to help one another.  Together we can be battle ready.