I am grateful for the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. His love for each one of us is beyond our comprehension and He has asked us to “love one another.” He called it a new commandment:
“That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”[1]
As we study the New Testament, we can see the Savior love others. It’s evident in the way He spoke with individuals and groups. He shows it in His service – providing both physical and spiritual nourishment. He healed countless of the sick and afflicted, lightening their burden. He was kind to those who were different, weren’t “chosen”, or treated Him poorly. He forgave those who crucified Him. Using the parable of the Good Samaritan, he taught what it meant to be a neighbor – to serve and help those who society may say should be our enemies.
The Apostle Paul taught:
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”[2]
I love what a modern Apostle of Jesus Christ taught regarding kindness. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said:
“Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known…It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.”[3]
We can feel that greatness that comes from kindness as we read the account of Jesus washing the dusty feet of His apostles and the way He lovingly ministered to those in Bountiful as recorded in the Book of Mormon.[4]
Along with a commandment “to love one another” as He loves us, the Savior has also commanded us to be one. He was quite direct in the commandment:
“I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.”[5]
The adversary is making it particularly difficult at this time in history for us to be:
“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” and to be of “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”[6]
Today, along with all of our normal disagreements, we are faced with polarized opinions about how to deal with a global pandemic and significant racial issues. Social media, rather than strengthening our ties, is in many cases the platform for callousness, cruelty, meanness, impatience, contention, provocation, and pride. Too many individuals engage with the intent of proving one another wrong rather than to have a meaningful discussion. Social media makes it easy for us to forget that we can be right about an issue, but still be wrong in how we treat one another. I worry that we’re trading our love, kindness and unity for the sake of winning arguments.
The Lord gave us the perfect instructions on how to influence one another His way. (I’m not going to lie, His way is difficult but actually effective.)
“No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood,[7] only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
“By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
“That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.
“Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith…”[8]
The Lord sets a high bar. Frequently I find myself coming up short. Too often I find myself reviewing what I said or wanted to say or write and realizing that my approach or my words don’t measure up to the Lord’s standard.[9] With each failing, I hope to do a little better.
We have historical and scriptural proof that the Lord’s people can truly be one. Remember the City of Enoch?
“And the Lord called his people ZION, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.”[10]
I can only imagine the sheer effort it took for them to achieve this, the amount of patience it took to have meaningful and productive conversations about topics such as helping the poor. How did they do it? Going back to the words of Elder Wirthlin, he said:
“Kindness should permeate all of our words and actions at work, at school, at church, and especially in our homes.”[11]
I am grateful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and for the fellowship of the Saints. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve, worship and learn with individuals, children of God, who come from different backgrounds and experiences and have different views of the world. I enjoy the opportunity to learn from them. I hope and pray that I can find the strength to be more patient, long-suffering, gentle, meek, kind and loving in my communications. If I do so, the Spirit will bless those communications and relationships. And, if the Spirit is present, by revelation eternal truths “shall distill upon [our] souls as the dews from heaven”.[12]
As we prepare to gather together again for sacrament meetings under the directions of our bishops, I pray that we can set aside differences and disagreements. I pray that we can be patient and forgiving. I pray that we can support, sustain, and uplift one another in our efforts to become like our Savior.
[1] John 13:34-35.
[2] Ephesians 4:32.
[4] 3 Nephi 11:17.
[5] Doctrine and Covenants 38:27.
[6] Ephesians 4:3, 5.
[7] Note: Our priesthood office, Church callings, and gospel-understanding don’t automatically make us right on every other issue. Even if we are correct about a particular issue, that doesn’t mean we should force our thoughts and opinions on others. One, it’s not kind; and two, if we are right, it’s not an effective method for changing hearts and minds.
[8] Doctrine & Covenants 121:41-45
[9] Note: Looking back, I can see that I have never won a heated argument on social media. I’ve only lost.
[10] Moses 7:18.
[11] See Wirthlin.
[12] Note: I expect to find out over and over that my thoughts and opinions are wrong on a number of issues. While I know the Restored Gospel is true, I can’t even comprehend how little I actually know about anything in mortality. I’ll do my best based on eternal principles and hope and trust that I will be taught and learn as I progress.
