LDS Freedom Forum

Mark 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

In 3rd Nephi chapter 11, when Christ appears to the multitude in Bountiful, it begins with him first introducing himself and inviting them to behold and feel the prints in his hands and feet. He then ordains Nephi and others to baptize in his name. Immediately after those important tasks, these are his words:

28 And according as I have commanded you thus shall ye baptize. And there shall be no adisputations among you, as there have hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been.

29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

30 Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.

Following his forty days of fasting, Jesus comes to Galilee and calls disciples. One of the first things he does after doing so is to teach the Sermon on the Mount. These are the first words he speaks, found in Matthew 5:

1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Both at the beginning of his earthly ministry, and the first thing he taught the Nephites at Bountiful, had to deal with how people treated others. One of the most vital parts of his ministry was doing away with the Mosaic Law and introducing a higher law. The first and great commandments of that law were to love God, and to love thy neighbor as thyself.

During Christ's ministry he not only taught constantly of forgiveness and other laws concerning how we should deal with our neighbors, but he lived by example. At his feet were the outcasts of society, the lepers, the prostitutes, the tax collectors. He turned no one away from his open arms. Among his final acts on earth was to beg his Father's forgiveness for the soldiers who killed him and drew lots on his possessions.

Simply put, Christ's message on earth involved how we treated others. As latter day saints, we are the Church of Jesus Christ restored upon this earth.

Yet oddly enough, as time goes on I've seen less and less of an emphasis on how we treat others in Gospel doctrine. The big issues in Church now deal with personal sins and temptations. Alcohol, drugs, pornography, lying, stealing, violence and murder. Sexual worthiness. All the things you're asked in a temple recommend interview. And yet, as vital as these things are to our individual salvation, nowhere to be found in such issues are the very teachings of Christ when he came to this earth.

To me it feels like a huge, gaping wound in the perspectives of many latter day saints. They focus so much on their own sins, and the sins of others, that they've completely forgotten Christ's message.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 5:44

Perhaps this is why so many latter day saints support unjust wars. Perhaps this is why so many latter day saints care so much about the personal sins and weaknesses of others, and believe that such weaknesses and sins should be violently punished and controlled. Perhaps this is why they're willing to cast out and condemn those who believe or act differently than them.

If we all lived perfectly alone on this earth than the only issue we'd be facing would be our own personal worthiness. But since we share this earth with our brothers and sisters, there is no message more important than that we should love our neighbors. Christ had plenty to say on the subject. Oddly enough he said far, far more about how we should treat others than he said about dealing with our own individual sins.

Excellent post and good points! Matthew 25 is a great example of what you say. Aside from this, we ought not ignore our personal worthiness and work out our salvation "with fear and trembling." The gospel of Jesus Christ is one of repentance unto baptism. If we are as charitable as can be toward our neighbors, but deny ourselves the opportunity to enter in at the gate, then all is vain as well.

You forget the fact that when you are breaking commandments you are hurting others. There is no commandment you can break that only effects yourself. People who keep the commandments naturally treat other people better.

Our regrets in life are always how we treated someone else.

I didn't mean to imply in any way that we should ignore our own personal worthiness. I was more trying to say that far too many reach that point, the "temple recommend" point, and think they're home free. They ignore the plight of others and quarrel with their neighbors, all the while studiously avoiding sin and gossiping about the mistakes others in their wards have made.

Personal worthiness is a difficult goal, and achieving perfection in it is next to impossible in this life. I agree that we should all be striving for that goal. But I think far too many people miss the point that how we treat others factors heavily into our personal worthiness, even if it's not discussed in the temple recommend interview.

May 1992
The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword

Elder Marvin J. Ashton

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

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When King David was pleading for mercy in the fifty-seventh Psalm, he cried: “My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.” (Ps. 57:4.)

In the world today we are victims of many who use their tongues as sharp swords. The misuse of our tongues seems to add intrigue and destruction as the media and private persons indulge in this pastime. In the vernacular of the day, this destructive activity is called bashing. The dictionary reports that to bash is to strike with a heavy, crushing blow.

Such a popular behavior is indulged in by far too many who bash a neighbor, a family member, a public servant, a community, a country, a church. It is alarming also how often we find children bashing parents and parents bashing children.

We as members of the Church need to be reminded that the words “Nay, speak no ill” are more than a phrase in a musical context but a recommended way of life. (See Hymns, no. 233.) We need to be reminded more than ever before that “if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” (A of F 1:13.) If we follow that admonition, there is no time for the dastardly hobby of bashing instead of building.

Some think the only way to get even, to get attention or advantage, or to win is to bash people. This kind of behavior is never appropriate. Oftentimes character and reputation and almost always self-esteem are destroyed under the hammer of this vicious practice.

How far adrift we have allowed ourselves to go from the simple teaching “If you can’t say something good about someone or something, don’t say anything” to where we now too often find ourselves involved in the bash business.

Even though reports and rumors pertaining to misconduct and misbehavior are readily available and can make good ammunition for those who would injure, bash, or damage, the Savior reminds us that he who is without sin may cast the first stone. (See John 8:7.) Ugly reports and conversations are always available to those who would promote the sordid and sensational. None of us are yet perfect. We each have failings that aren’t terribly difficult to detect—especially if that is the aim. Through microscopic examination one can find in almost every life incidents or traits that can be destructive when they are magnified.

We need to get back to basic principles of recognizing the good and the praiseworthy within the family. Home evening needs to be reemphasized and used as a tool or foundation for wholesome communication and teaching, but never as an opportunity to bash other family members, neighbors, teachers, or Church leaders. Family loyalty will emerge when we reinforce the good and the positive and bridle our negative thoughts as we seek after those things that are of good report.

There will always be those in the days ahead who will be inclined to bash ourselves and others, but we cannot allow a heavy, crushing blow to destroy us or to deter our personal or church progress.

Bernard Baruch, an adviser to six United States presidents, was once asked whether he was ever disturbed by attacks from enemies. He said, “No man can humiliate or disturb me. I won’t let him.”

We are reminded that Jesus Christ, the only perfect person to ever walk the earth, taught us through quiet example to say nothing or to be silent in stressful times in our lives rather than to spend time and energy bashing for whatever purpose.

So what is the antidote for this bashing that hurts feelings, demeans others, destroys relationships, and harms self-esteem? Bashing should be replaced with charity. Moroni described it this way:

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all. …

“Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever.” (Moro. 7:46–47.)

Charity is, perhaps, in many ways a misunderstood word. We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more.

Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. It makes the thought of being a basher repulsive.

Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.

None of us need one more person bashing or pointing out where we have failed or fallen short. Most of us are already well aware of the areas in which we are weak. What each of us does need is family, friends, employers, and brothers and sisters who support us, who have the patience to teach us, who believe in us, and who believe we’re trying to do the best we can, in spite of our weaknesses. What ever happened to giving each other the benefit of the doubt? What ever happened to hoping that another person would succeed or achieve? What ever happened to rooting for each other?

Good comments. These kinds if talks are very mportant.


I appreciate Pres. Uchtdorf's recent conference talk on forgiveness . There were several talks on service.

I find I treat people better and have more patience with others when I have the Holy Ghost with me. However, when I lose the Holy Ghost through sin, it's much more difficult to be patient and loving.

davedan wrote:Good comments. These kinds if talks are very mportant.


I appreciate Pres. Uchtdorf's recent conference talk on forgiveness . There were several talks on service.

I find I treat people better and have more patience with others when I have the Holy Ghost with me. However, when I lose the Holy Ghost through sin, it's much more difficult to be patient and loving.

I find reading the Book Of Mormon daily makes me softer, kinder person. If I miss for a couple of days, I can sure tell.

We are each going to need a healthy dose of the 2nd commandment here soon. Sharing with your neighbor gets you through the hard times.

Thought for the day:

"You can always tell how you are progressing spiritually by how you feel about others, because how you feel about others is a reflection of how you feel about yourself."

I am very low of time this week and wasn't going to even read this thread, but felt prompted to do so. I am so glad I did!

Fairminded wrote:Yet oddly enough, as time goes on I've seen less and less of an emphasis on how we treat others in Gospel doctrine. The big issues in Church now deal with personal sins and temptations. Alcohol, drugs, pornography, lying, stealing, violence and murder. Sexual worthiness. All the things you're asked in a temple recommend interview. And yet, as vital as these things are to our individual salvation, nowhere to be found in such issues are the very teachings of Christ when he came to this earth.

This is the Law of Carnal Commandments part of the "Preparatory Gospel". Thou shalt do X. Commandments given to a people incapable of governing themselves. Remember the "Teach correct principles and let them govern themselves" idea? We are so far removed from that. Because we are steeping in the lower law. Now it's "Tell them what to do because they can't govern themselves."

What age can we date? What age can we dance? How many earrings can a person wear? How many times a day should I pray? Oh, know, I broke one of the laws, what should I do? How do I repent? etc...

Remember, as you stated in different words, "Love fulfills ALL of the laws and the prophets". He who has Charity needs no laws becauce Charity is the Pure Love OF Christ.

This is a GREAT thread! Thanks for bringing it up...

The word "OF" can be correctly interpreted to mean all of the following:

• the Pure Love FROM Christ
• the Pure Love FOR Christ
• the Pure Love LIKE Christ

All of the physical carnal laws and commandments are signposts and symbols pointing to Charity. They attempt to force people to mimic love, but do not produce love. In fact contrary to Love, they produce greater SELFISHNESS, and the need for more laws.

Quoting another C&E'r I know from another Forum - Seeker:

In raising our children we wanted love to be their highest focus. So we incorporated a number of inspired principles which the common parrent doesn't. In the case of our oldest daughter, if she hit someone or hurt someone at a young age, rather than bringing down the hard law of punishment and focusing on the her for hitting, we focused on the one she hurt and poured out sympathy, love and compassion entirely ignoring her action of hitting the person. She saw us making things right and how to treat others. Compassion in action. When the other person was "OK", then we simply when on with our business not bringing any attention to our young daughter.

We were over joyed when we began to see the fruits of our labors! At 4 years old, she was playing with 2 of her cousins. One of her cousins got hurt, (nothing major, just bonked her head). The other Cousin immediately jumped up and ran to his parents yelling "I didn't do it! I didn't do it!" in an effort to circumvent any punishment he might receive being under the law. We all looked to see what was happening and there was my daughter comforting her cousin, helping her, and loving on her without a thought for her own well being. My wife and I were overjoyed with this simple success and greatfull to see the stark contrast between those who are raised under the law and those who aren't.

The law produces a "What's in it for me" mentality and teaches us to make decisions based on what someone will do to us. For example, if breaking the law was the moral thing to do, would you break the law to do what was right at the risk of the punishment from the law?

The atonement is a natural solution which helps us to overcome all these problems created by being under the law, including the ones above.

Fairminded wrote:"To me it feels like a huge, gaping wound in the perspectives of many latter day saints. They focus so much on their own sins, and the sins of others, that they've completely forgotten Christ's message."

Another natural result of being under the law. Judging themselves and judging others. Just as the natural problems are created by the law, the natural solution again is, The Atonement.

Thank you so much for your post, Amonhi. I feel like you said what I was trying to say, but much more clearly and better supported. (As well as without the judgmental attitude I can't seem to avoid when I post.)

I think you're dead on about being under the law. As I was doing my chores this morning I was thinking about this thread, trying to find a way to express what I wanted to say more clearly. I was thinking about the "every man for himself" mentality towards salvation that seems to be becoming more prevalent among the saints. As if not only is it possible to be saved all alone, but that the only impact others can have towards a person's salvation is in the form of impediments, by their sins and actions etc. Almost like, outside of obvious priesthood authorities like ward and stake leadership and the general authorities, nobody else matters towards salvation.

I guess it may be a consequence of growing wickedness in the world and even among members of the Church. When the higher laws are rejected, the Law of Moses is fallen back on as the only law the people are willing or able to follow. The other higher laws and teachings are still there, but most have yet to reach the point where they're ready to learn them.

Perhaps that's why it seems like more and more the words of the brethren at all levels is focusing on individual actions, consequences, and worthiness. It's all the people are able to hear at this time.