Don’t Miss This Devotional
3 Ways We Can Be the Good That the World Needs
From her devotional address, “Go About Doing Good,” given at Brigham Young University–Idaho on July 6, 2021. For the full address, visit byui.edu/devotionals.
With the world growing increasingly darker, we can share goodness and light with all of Heavenly Father’s children.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once said:
“The Lord did not people the earth with a vibrant orchestra of personalities only to value the piccolos of the world. Every instrument is precious and adds to the complex beauty of the symphony. All of Heavenly Father’s children are different in some degree, yet each has his own beautiful sound that adds depth and richness to the whole. …
“Brothers and sisters, if only we had more compassion for those who are different from us, it would lighten many of the problems and sorrows in the world today.”1
Every person we know—and every person we do not know—has someone who loves them. They have someone who is praying for them. Brothers and sisters, we are never to judge one another, for the very person we may think to judge may be the one who is most in need of our help or may be the source of help for us when we are in need.
1. We can look for those who could use extra love.
During my time as a head resident on campus, I made acquaintance with a young female student who struggled with shyness and self-confidence. She was shy to the point of always keeping her head down when she walked. If she was on the same sidewalk as you were, she would cross to a different sidewalk so she could avoid any interaction. When people said hi to her in passing, she would give a little nod with her head still down and would quickly move out of the way. I tried to help her but to no avail.
However, six months after meeting her, I began noticing little changes in her. Instead of nodding and keeping her head down when someone said hi to her, she began to lift her head up and give a quick nod. And, instead of crossing the sidewalk to avoid conversation with those she recognized, she would now stay on the same sidewalk. She then went from keeping her head down and nodding to giving a quick smile when someone would say hi to her. These improvements of confidence continued on for a few more months until finally she no longer lowered her head and she would stay on the same sidewalk, smile and say hi to others, and even stop to interact with them. Her transformation was quite the sight to behold, and her countenance was filled with joy and the most beautiful smile.
One day I asked her, “How did this transformation take place?” She responded by saying she had been blessed with good roommates who cared for her, loved her, and never gave up on her. They included her, though it took some time for her to gather the courage to join them. Gradually, she accepted their invitations to participate, whether it was hanging out, having dinner, or watching movies. She knew that they were genuine in their kindness and love for her, which helped her act on their invitations.
This young woman ended up serving a mission. I bumped into her a year after she got home, and to be honest, I did not recognize her. She exuded confidence, and the light in her eyes was so bright. The acts of kindness, love, and inclusiveness shown by these roommates literally changed the direction of her life!
Elder Marvin J. Ashton (1915–94) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counseled each of us to “be one who nurtures and who builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them. …
“If we could look into each other’s hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care.”2
My invitation to you is to think of someone you know who could use your nurturing and building. Who may be in need of your inclusiveness, kindness, and love? Think about those in your apartment, your ward, and your classes and family members, coworkers, and others you come in contact with. Whom can you help? Whom can you include? Whom can you serve? Make this a matter of prayer and counsel with the Lord.
2. We can choose to be kind even when it’s hard.
Now, it is also important to remember that sometimes our efforts to help others may not be accepted, as was the case for me with this girl as my invitations to include and involve her went nowhere. For those who are trying to help others and aren’t succeeding, don’t give up.
President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) taught, “We must remember that those mortals we meet in parking lots, offices, elevators, and elsewhere are that portion of mankind God has given us to love and to serve.”3
I love this direction given to us by President Kimball. Every day we have been given the task to love and serve those people around us. Our Heavenly Father has trusted us to be kind, to smile, to speak kindly, and to extend invitations. We never know whom we might be able to bless, lift, or serve during our daily routines.
Do you realize the power you have to influence and change the world by loving and serving the people whom God has put in your path? I invite you to pray for and seek this power in your life. The next time you are at work, at a store, in a parking lot, in an elevator, or elsewhere, remember you can have a great and lasting impact on those around you. When your food order is wrong or your cashier seems to be curt or the driver in front of you cuts you off, be kind. Smile anyway. Be patient.
The kindness you show to others often has a rippling effect. Showing kindness versus anger and disdain may help others to try harder and extend kindness and forgiveness to others when they are wronged.
One of my favorite talks was given by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, entitled “The Virtue of Kindness.” He said:
“Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.
“Kind words not only lift our spirits in the moment they are given, but they can linger with us over the years.”4
Elder Wirthlin then went on to talk about a man seven years older than him who had complimented him on his performance and sportsmanship after a football game. Elder Wirthlin talked about how that compliment stayed with him for more than 60 years. He doubted that the person who gave the compliment ever remembered giving it, but Elder Wirthlin always remembered it. (The man who complimented him on his performance was President Gordon B. Hinckley.)5
Elder Wirthlin went on to say: “Kindness is the essence of a celestial life. Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others. Kindness should permeate all of our words and actions at work, at school, at church, and especially in our homes.”6
3. We can minister as the Savior did.
Our Savior is the perfect example of kindness and compassion. He spent His life ministering and being kind to those around Him. As Peter described in Acts, Jesus “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). A few examples of Christ’s acts of kindness include healing the soldier’s ear cut off by Peter before Christ was taken away at the Garden of Gethsemane; performing the miracle of wine at a wedding as requested by His mother; healing the lepers; healing the woman who touched His robe; healing a lame man at the pool of Bethesda; raising Jairus’s daughter from the dead; forgiving the adulteress; and pleading on behalf of those who nailed Him to a cross, saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
Christ is the perfect example of kindness and compassion. And in our world today, there is a greater need for us to become more like our Savior.
I bear testimony that as we are kind and love those around us, we will become better disciples of Jesus Christ. I also testify that we can be the Lord’s hands on earth and change people’s lives.