The Power of Kindness

Relief Society Lesson I taught on November 11, 2012

From Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Lesson 21

My Favorite Quotes from the Lesson:

I pray that the love of the gospel of our Lord will burn in our souls and enrich our lives, that it will cause husbands to be kinder to wives, and wives to be kinder to husbands, parents to children, and children to parents because of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is a gospel of love and kindness.

Remember all the days of your life that you can find good in everyone if you will but look for it.  

Every influence for peace ought to be exercised.  

The Spirit of the Lord is a spirt of kindness; it is a spirit of patience; it is a spirit of charity and love and forbearance and long suffering; and there are none of us who do not need all these virtues that are the result of the possession of the Spirit of our Heavenly Parents.

As a people we are advised not to be critical, not to be unking, not to speak harshly of those with whom we associate.  We ought to be the greatest exemplars in all the world in that regard.  

My favorite Scriptures from the Lesson:

Love is of God… If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us… God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in god, and God in him…  There is no fear in love… And this commandment have we from him, That she who loveth God love her sister also. 1 John 4:7, 12, 16, 18, 21

Questions to Ask Ourselves:

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in they sister’s eye, but considers not the beam that is in thine own eye. Matthew 7:1-4.  It is oftentimes easier to see the failings and mistakes of others than it is to see my own.  However, Christ being without sin and therefore entitled to condemn, chose a different path when dealing with the woman taken in adultery.  He not only risked his reputation and stood up for her, protecting her – he also forgave her.  Why then do I, who have sinned, often feel justified in placing judgment on others I see as mistaken or failing?

When dealing with our own mistakes, we often crave and appreciate empathy from others.  Can I commit to keeping this at the forefront of my life as I come into contact with others who crave and appreciate similar sentiments?

The word “judgement” has many definitions.  So what does it mean when the Lord exhorts us to not judge one another?  “The capacity to assess situations in order to draw sound conclusions” is different than “the act of disapproving or condemning a person.” (thefreedictionary.com)

I often find myself in a position where I will need to be a guidance to children.  How does the principle of kindness help me in those relationships as well?

Am I using anything in this lesson against myself?  How can I reframe my thoughts to allow for progress I’d like to make while celebrating how far I’ve already come?

It was interesting that this lesson was taught at the height of the political elections taking place so we also discussed the church’s respectful and kind response to Obama’s win:

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/statement-on-election-result