Isaiah, prophesying the mission of the Saviour Jesus Christ, said: ‘he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn’.1
Alma, having fled from the priests of King Noah, went about continuing to preach the gospel in private. Those who believed went with him to the waters of Mormon where many expressed the desire to be baptised. Alma then explains what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ; ……bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light……. to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.2
These similar messages both illustrate that our mortal experience would bring challenges and heartache for each one of us, and that we have a sacred responsibility to care for each other during those times.
Many years ago, our four-year-old son was involved in a serious accident away from home. When he was well enough to be transferred to a local hospital, we found a letter through our door from a dear sister in our ward listing who would bring meals on which days, who would collect our other children to and from school, and who would do our laundry, etc. A few days later my wife was also in hospital giving birth to our youngest son. With her in one end of the hospital, our son in the other end of the hospital, and four other children to care for, this sister anticipating our needs and reaching out was so, so much, appreciated over those six difficult weeks.
But what about those times that we are asked to love and care for those whom we don’t know, who are different to us, who might live in ways we don’t agree with? What about those who may appear undeserving of our help? In those situations, President M. Russell Ballard reminded us “We need to embrace God's children compassionately and eliminate any prejudice, including racism, sexism and nationalism.”3
I was recently reading a social media post about a local politician in another part of the world who had passed away prematurely from cancer. Some comments expressed sincere regret, and others who had clearly disagreed with her policies, commented with less sympathetic words. Then someone wrote the following which I found profound. “We don't have empathy for people because of who they are. We have empathy for people because of who we are. If you lack empathy it speaks of your character, not theirs.” Wise counsel indeed.
Our world seems increasingly inclined to focus on self, is quick to judge and equally quick to berate and attack those with different opinions. Yet, when asked which was the most important commandment, the Saviour responded ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.’ Note that although he called it the second commandment, he also said it was ‘like unto the first’.4 Elder William R. Bradford of the Seventy once said: “Of all influences that cause men to choose wrong, selfishness is undoubtedly the strongest. Where there is selfishness, the Spirit of the Lord is absent.”5
For those who truly seek to follow Jesus Christ, looking outwards and caring for those in need is perhaps the most fundamental characteristic we need to develop to be a true disciple. Developing empathy, or charity, towards all of God’s children irrespective of who they are, where they come from or what they believe, will allow us to stand with confidence before God.6
May we all seek to develop these characteristics, to care for those in need and to always behave with grace, humility and kindness towards all of God’s children.
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Isaiah 61:1-2
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Mosiah 18:8-9
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M. Russell Ballard “The Trek Continues!”, General Conference October 2017
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Matthew 22:37-39
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Elder William R. Bradford BYU Speeches 3rd June 2003
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Doctrine & Covenants 121:45