Today we have the wonderful pleasure of hearing from Sis Olsen for our lesson today - Chapter 21 - The Power of Kindness
By being kind and patient, we can soften hearts and encourage others to live righteously.
Pres. Smith always treated others with kindness. One reason why is this belief that there is innate goodness in everyone.
Elder Cowley said of President Smith:
“He
loved everyone because he could see the good within them. He did not
look upon sin with the least degree of allowance, but he loved the
sinner because he knew that God was love, and that it is God’s love that regenerates human souls and may, by that process, transform the sinner into a saint."
Sis. Olsen asked, "When you have seen an act of kindness soften someone's heart?"
The spirit of the Lord is a spirit of kindness, not harshness and criticism.
I feel sad sometimes when I hear the unkind things that are spoken, not
only of people in our Church, but of people in the world. Unkind things
are not usually said under the inspiration of the Lord. The Spirit of
the Lord is a spirit 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 Father.
In Matthew 7: 1 - 4 we are told judge not....
As a people we are asked not to be critical, not to be unkind, not to speak harshly of those with whom we associate. We ought to be the greatest exemplars in the world in the regard.
Sis Olsen asked, "Why is harsh criticism and judgement so harmful?"
She shared the story from President Monson about laundry and dirty windows. Are you looking through a window at others that needs cleaned?
The manual says, "if we have the spirit of fault finding, of pointing out the weaknesses and failings of others in a destructive manner, that never comes as a result of the companionship of the Spirit of our Heavenly Father and is always harmful...What a joy, what a comfort, what a satisfaction can be added to the
lives of our neighbors and friends through kindness. How I would like to
write that word in capital letters and emblazon it in the air. Kindness
is the power that God has given us to unlock hard hearts and subdue
stubborn souls and bring them to an understanding of His purposes.
Live in such a way, in love and kindness, that peace and prayer and thanksgiving will be in your homes together...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.
Thank you Sis Olsen. Everyone was richly blessed to hear your lesson and feel of your spirit.