Be Kind

By President Dallin H. Oaks

First Counselor in the First Presidency

Adapted from “Parents and Children,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 61–67.

I know of a young man who was a refugee. A group of other young people teased him for being different. They teased him for speaking a different language. It is not pleasing to Heavenly Father if we are unkind or mean to others. It is unkind to bully another person, to gang up on them, or to reject them.

Dear children, our world needs your goodness and love. Be kind to one another. Jesus taught us to treat others as we want to be treated. As we try our best to be kind, we draw closer to Him.

If you are unkind to anyone—individually or with a group—make up your mind now to change. Encourage others to change too.

I testify of Jesus Christ, our Savior, who taught us to love one another as He loved us. I pray that we will do so.

How to Make a New Friend

How do you show kindness to someone new? What if they’re from a different country? For each step, fill in an idea of your own.

Smile and say hello.
- “Hi! What’s your name?”
- “I’m glad you’re in our class.”
- ________________________________
Think of how they might feel:
- Shy because they don’t have friends yet or they speak a different language.
- Sad because they miss their home.
- Worried because ______________________.
Invite them.
- “Do you want to play with us?”
- “Let’s sit together.”
- ____________________________
Be kind and helpful.
- “I can show you where we eat lunch.”
- “This is what we do next.”
- _______________________________
Learn from them.
- “What’s your favorite game?”
- “How do you say that in your language?”
- _________________________________
If you see them being treated unkindly:
- Speak up for them.
- Talk to them or play with them.
- ____________________________