A Need for Greater Kindness- Gordon B. Hinckley April 2006 Conference
This is a topic that seems endless. Which makes it hard to identify the starting line. There is no point when you can say “I have reached the maximum kindness for today.” Which is not necessarily a bad thing. Humans are equipped with certain weaknesses that help to humble us President Hinckley stated “ Being Humble means recognizing we are not on this earth to see how important we can become, but to see how much difference we can make in the lives of others”. We are not reminded of this weakness to be hard on ourselves. President Hinckley also encouraged us to “Not dwell on the critical or the negative.” He said “Let us pray for strength. Let us pray for capacity and desire to assist others. Let us radiate the light of the Gospel at all times and all places. That the spirit of the Redeemer may radiate from us.”
There is always someone to help and always someone to look to for guidance. My Sweet Aunt Mary was a wonderful example of Christ like love. One Thanksgiving she had gone to the corner store to pick up some ice and returned with the news she had just met two lovely men who did not have a dinner planned that night, she added “They might bring beer...so enjoy!”. We often joke in our family about that specific occurrence. Instead of being consumed with the rush of the dinner that needed to be prepared, and family that needed to be entertained, she took the time to see someone in need.
Joseph B Wirthlin explained in his Talk ‘Concern for the one’ that “ True Disciples of Jesus Christ have always been concerned for the one. Jesus Christ is our greatest example. He was surrounded by multitudes and spoke to thousands, yet He always had concern for the one. “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost,” He said. “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?”
Being able to help the one means that we need to be aware of our surroundings. How can we notice someone in need if our eyes never reach above the floor. President Monson once mentioned that it is much better to look up. Take the time to ponder those people who surround you. Pray for chances to lift another, to know of ways to help and strengthen homes and communities.
We are often preoccupied with busy schedules, it may not always be the case that you can volunteer time. However we can volunteer our heart’s. Giving someone the benefit of the doubt, or directing a conversation away from criticism are ways that we can show kindness. Many of us participated in “Light the World.” This gave us ideas to spread Christ’s love. For December 25th the Brethren challenged us to take one of the day’s action and bring it into the New Year by making a Resolution. Try to take these lessons and apply them to daily life, have daily reminders to keep Jesus Christ in the forefront of your life. These challenges were not made to fill up your twitter feed. They are true and righteous ways that we can progress toward a happier and more fulfilled Christ like life. There is no other way but through him, and his teachings.
My brother is currently serving a full time mission in Arkansas. I am touched and amazed at his ability to love and have concern for the one. Each investigator that progresses is met with abundant joy and overwhelming love. On the other hand each one who decides to discontinue discussions, their loss is greatly felt. I am sure that those who have served missions have had similar experiences.
President Monson has shared many inspiring quotes and poems over the years. One in particular is by C.B. Gibson
“I have wept in the night
At my shortness of sight
That to others' needs made me blind,
But I never have yet
Had a twinge of regret
For being a little too kind.”
― C.R. Gibson
When Jesus visited the America’s all the people were converted and lived the gospel to it’s fullest. It was said of them that “ Surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.” Living by the commandment of God and his continual guidance is a tried and true way to bring happiness into your life. The popular song “ Am I a Child of God.” was originally written to say “ Teach me all that I must know.” Later, after Pres. Kimball’s suggestion, it was changed to “ Teach me all that I must DO.” Having good intent may not always make the cut. Let Heavenly Father and others know of your love through word and deed. Though perfection cannot be achieved improvement can. President Hinckley once commented “ Without hard work nothing grows but weeds.” in another address he said “ You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others.”
One of my favorite Hymns: Have I done any good in the world today. Is a song of self reflection. The way we live our lives, Our goals, and weaknesses are ultimately between us and our Heavenly Father. He understand perfectly how hard it may be to get out of bed Monday morning, or the frustration we may feel when we don’t get everything done over the break that we wanted to. Often he is more forgiving and encouraging than we are with ourselves. We should never be ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help. Whether it be for final exams or help remembering to say our prayers. He listens, He is aware of us, and he cares. After we have taken the time to come to Heavenly Father we must find the strength to get out of our comfort zone and reach out to those who may not ask for help.
It is important to bring the motivation to do good that we feel around Christmas into everyday after that. The greatest example of Kindness is of course of Savior. His compassion and kindness toward others is often named charity. As we learn of Jesus Christ and strive to become like Him, we will begin to feel the effect of His pure love in our lives and be prompted to love and serve others as He would. “Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down,” said President Thomas S. Monson. “It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others.”
