Things have been rough in our home lately. It feels like the kids are more often than not very contentious and critical of each other, and oftentimes I chime in with cutting remarks to counter theirs. This evening, while attempting to have dinner, one son was chasing another with a broom and a third one got involved and got clawed by his angry brother. We called everyone over to try to sort things out and calm them down, but one by one the kids were "casting in" their own "stones". I felt like I was looking at a group of feral, injured animals, all ready to pounce and inflict more wounds. My frustration turned to sadness. Though my son's scratches were only surface level, I felt a tenderness towards this often unruly son and with it a desire to gently put band aids on his arm. Then quietly I opened to one of the most poignant passages of scripture, Alma 7:11-12, And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and ...