Love them

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Saturday Afternoon Session of the April 2005 Conference.

I've been thinking about how much it helps me to be kind and serve my children (and others) if I almost forget the child and think about Jesus Christ instead. Not that I actually forget the child, of course; I can't and shouldn't—but I just mean that instead of thinking about how my service is received—if it's appreciated, if it's deserved, if it's discarded, if it's even noticed—I can instead reflect on the fact that I am truly attempting to serve my Savior above all. And He receives my service with love, blessings, and gratitude no matter how it is received here on earth! And He deserves the most loving, constant, heartfelt service I can offer because of all that He has done for me!

So, my favorite part of this session was in Elder Wirthlin's talk about kindness:

“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.…

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

My brothers and sisters, the gospel of Jesus Christ transcends mortality. Our work here is but a shadow of greater and unimaginable things to come.…

As our Heavenly Father loves us, we also should love His children.

May we be models of kindness. May we ever live up to the words of the Savior: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”