Doing A Little Better Through Editing

When President Gordon B. Hinckley said we can do a little better, he described the same mindset good editors use every day. Editing is not about shaming mistakes; it is about improving the message with patience and purpose. Living the gospel works the same way. I can look at my daily choices like a draft and ask what is unclear, what is missing, and what does not match what I believe. If I notice something like impatience or gossip showing up, I can treat it like an unnecessary sentence that weakens the whole piece and choose to remove it. Repentance becomes a form of revision where I am not rewriting my identity; I am refining it.

Editing principles also teach me to slow down and be intentional. A strong editor checks tone, accuracy, and fairness because words can either heal or harm. Applying that spiritually means I watch how I speak to family, classmates, coworkers, and even strangers online. If my words are sharp, I can revise them before they land. If someone hurts me, forgiveness can be my next draft instead of revenge being my final copy. Over time, small edits add up, and the message of my life becomes clearer, kinder, and more aligned with Christ.