Strengthen Your Brethren

Yesterday I went to a mountain bike event for two of my sons. They each raced, and one of them was in the last race of the day. He finished the course in about 48 minutes, and after that we were waiting to watch the awards since one of his friends made the top five. We waited for what seemed like a long time when finally they came over and announced that there would be no awards until the last racer had finished. Most of us did not realize there was anyone still riding, but there was one more racer on the course trying to finish those five miles. So the event organizers asked us who were standing there to come over to the finish line and cheer this athlete on as he came in. There were probably fifty of us at the finish line cheering his name as he came in 77^th out of 77 and over 25 minutes later than the next rider. I believe he had had a crash which is what had slowed him down so much, and I was impressed that he was determined to keep going. And it was really amazing to me to see everyone cheering him on as he crossed the finish line, the last person of the whole day. There were no booing or criticisms or comparing; everyone simply cheered for someone doing his best. Wouldn’t life be so much better if we could do that all the time to people around us? Instead of constantly criticizing and comparing and coveting what others do, what if we just congratulated and cheered them on? If we all followed this counsel from the Lord our world would be a much better place for us all: “Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings” (Doctrine and Covenants 108:7). In everything we do, we should try to strengthen and lift up those around us. 

               About two decades ago Elder Joseph Wirthlin gave a powerful talk in general conference on kindness. He gave this counsel, “The things you say, the tone of your voice, the anger or calm of your words—these things are noticed by your children and by others. They see and learn both the kind and the unkind things we say or do. Nothing exposes our true selves more than how we treat one another in the home. I often wonder why some feel they must be critical of others. It gets in their blood, I suppose, and it becomes so natural, they often don’t even think about it. They seem to criticize everyone—the way Sister Jones leads the music, the way Brother Smith teaches a lesson or plants his garden.” Elder Wirthlin also related this anecdote, “Even when we think we are doing no harm by our critical remarks, consequences often follow. I am reminded of a boy who handed a donation envelope to his bishop and told him it was for him. The bishop, using this as a teaching moment, explained to the boy that he should mark on the donation slip whether it was for tithing, fast offerings, or for something else. The boy insisted the money was for the bishop himself. When the bishop asked why, the boy replied, ‘Because my father says you’re one of the poorest bishops we’ve ever had.’” Though somewhat comical, that story reminds us that what we say matters, and criticism of others doesn’t build anyone up. I love the way that Elder Wirthlin summarized his message: “‘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.’” When we wonder how we can do something of value in the world, perhaps the answer is much simpler than we think: showing compassion, kindness, and love may make more of a difference than anything else we do.

One time when Jesus healed a leper, Mark recorded that the Savior did it because He was “moved with compassion” (Mark 1:41). On another occasion when He saw a multitude in need, Jesus “was moved with compassion” towards them and helped them (Matthew 9:36). Later when two blind men came to Him to be healed, “Jesus had compassion on them” and healed them (Matthew 20:34). When Jesus saw the widow of Nain burying her son, “He had compassion on her” and raised him from the dead (Luke 7:13). These are just a few of many examples from the life of the Savior that show the great compassion He had for others, and He invites us likewise to show compassion and love and kindness towards others. If we don’t, this powerful question may sometime haunt us, “Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?” (Matthew 18:33) I hope we can always be like the cheering crowd for that last rider yesterday as we interact with our brothers and sisters here on earth.