Treat people as they are

My thoughts have been wrapped up in how treating people, affects who they become. I have met too many people who have been told that they consistently are "not good enough", "not capable enough" or that they "should just give up." And because they hear this so often, they internalize it, and do just what they've been told. But, what if these people had been told that they are good enough, that the can do hard things, that they can try again, or had just been treated with a little kindness? I am willing to believe that these people would have been more successful, happier, acted differently, and reached their potential.

I think this is why Heavenly Father is eager to tell us that we are His children. Think about that for a second.You are a child of God. A child of the most powerful and perfect being that has ever existed, and that will exist. President Uchtdorf said, "God Himself said we are the reason He created the universe! His work and glory—the purpose for this magnificent universe—is to save and exalt mankind. In other words, the vast expanse of eternity, the glories and mysteries of infinite space and time are all built for the benefit of ordinary mortals like you and me. Our Heavenly Father created the universe that we might reach our potential as His sons and daughters." Knowing our heritage, we too know that we can become like our Heavenly Father. "For we are also his offspring. (Acts 17:28)" We are good enough, and have potential like we have never imagined. Every single person needs to know that, that they are more than what they can see in themselves right now.


Now, we know that "God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34)." He doesn't love me, or you anymore than he loves your next door neighbor, or the person sitting next to you on the bus. He loves us all equally and perfectly. Meaning we too need to treat others the way they are meant to be treated, as children of our Heavenly Father. Joseph B. Wirthlin, an apostle of the Lord, has asked us to develop the virtue of kindness. He said, "When we are filled with kindness, we are not judgmental. The Savior taught, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.” ⁴ He also taught that “with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” ⁵

“But,” you ask, “what if people are rude?”

Love them.

“If they are obnoxious?”

Love them.

“But what if they offend? Surely I must do something then?”

Love them.

“Wayward?”

The answer is the same. Be kind. Love them.

Why? In the scriptures Jude taught, “And of some have compassion, making a difference.” ⁶

Who can tell what far-reaching impact we can have if we are only kind?

 I have over and over again in my own life seen the impact of kindness. When I have felt that I am not good enough or have expressed discouragement, I have been encouraged with kind words of my parents and friends. Often, it was simple encouragement like "you can do hard things", or "just keep trying." That kindness went a long way for me and I know it is the same with others. May we resolve to be a little kinder, love a little deeper, and treat others as we are, children of our Heavenly Father.