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8/20/04
"Jesus taught the doctrine that we should pray for those that
despitefully
use us; that we should love our enemies; that we should do good to
them that do
evil to us; that we should not return evil for evil, but good for
evil. There is
no particular credit due to any person who returns good for good. Even
the
publicans and sinners did this, but it is somewhat difficult to return
good for
evil. Nevertheless to do so was enjoined by the commandments of the
Lord Jesus.
We are to love our enemies; do good to them that hate and persecute
us; and when
we are persecuted, persecute not again; when we are derided, deride
not in
return; if we are injured, seek not to injure those who injure us;
that which is
required at our hands is to establish peace on earth and good will to
man.
Hence, when we forget the object of our calling and step out of the
path of duty
to return blow for blow, to inflict evil for evil, to persecute
because we may
be persecuted, we forget the injunction of the Lord and the covenants
we have
made with God, to keep His commandments." - Joseph F. Smith,
"Journal
of Discourses, 26 vols." [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot,
1854-1886], 23:285-286
8/2/06
"It may seem natural to react to a situation by giving back what is
given to us. But it doesn't have to be that way. Reflecting on his
horrendous wartime experiences, Viktor Frankl recalled: 'We who lived
in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the
huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They
may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that
everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the
human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of
circumstances, to choose one's own way' (Man's Search for
Meaning [1985], 86; emphasis added).
"That is noble behavior and a high expectation, but Jesus expects no
less of us. 'Love your enemies,' He said, 'bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully
use you, and persecute you' (Matt.
5:44)." - Wayne S. Peterson, "Our
Actions Determine Our Character," Ensign (CR), November 2001,
p.83
9/9/06
"In the first section of the Doctrine and Covenants we read 'that the
Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his work, and
measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to
his fellow man.' (D&C
1:10.)
"This teaching deserves the most careful consideration, for on judgment
day the Lord will mete out to us precisely as we have dealt with our
fellowmen, unless we have fully repented. It is a staggering thought,
and yet it is an integral factor in the Lords method of judgment. Do we
realize its broad significance? Do we see how we shall reap what we sow?
"This principle, showing the manner by which God will judge us, puts a
new light upon the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves, and
should persuade us to take that law seriously.
"It also helps us to understand the deep meaning of the Golden Rule:
'All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so
to them.' This is a commandment, and to further emphasize it the Lord
said: 'This is the law and the prophets.' (3
Ne. 14:12.)" - Mark E. Petersen, "Do
Unto Others...," Ensign (CR), May 1977, p.73
2/4/09
"As siblings, we must see that
our Heavenly Father loves His children equally, as any good earthly
father would. Courtesy, kindness, generosity, and forgiveness are all
elements of proper conduct among family members. Imagine the
disappointment of a perfect, loving Father who sees His children
treating each other badly."
- James M. Dunn, "Words to Live By," Ensign (CR), May 2003,
p.35
3/20/09
"'It is a full-time job to be
decent'—to be decent to
everybody all the time. To be decent is to cease bitterness jealousy,
and hate, to refrain from gossip, refrain from backbiting, and from
passing on untrue comments and unreliable stories about another, to be
considerate, thoughtful, and sympathetic. After all, everyone that I
know of already has a very heavy load to carry."
- Thorpe B. Isaacson, "Conference Report," April 1959, Second
Day—Morning Meeting, p.65
7/2/09
“Brothers and sisters, if we are obedient to the commandment of love,
there will be no disputations, contention, nor hatred between nor
among us. We will not speak ill of one another but will treat each
other with kindness and respect, realizing that each of us is a child
of God. There will be no Nephites, Lamanites, nor other ‘ites’ among
us, and every man, woman, and child will deal justly one with
another.” - Robert F. Orton, "The First and
Great Commandment", Ensign (CR), November 2001, p. 81
5/18/10
"The attitude of revenge is completely counterproductive. It creates a
vicious cycle: If you break off my tooth, then, so help me, I will
break off your tooth! If carried to the extreme, such retribution can
escalate and stretch out to infinity and even lead to a spirit of
destruction. This is apparently the attitude that the wicked reached
in
the time of Mormon's last battle. Only when someone is strong enough,
through meekness, to break this chain can the spirit of retaliation
stop. By refusing to seek revenge, those who are meek stimulate peace
within themselves and in society in general, a peace that can lead to
the survival of individuals and of nations." - Robert
E. Wells, "The Mount and the Master," p. 40
7/28/10
"A man who is too busy to notice a neighbor also has no time to smell
the flowers. Smallness of soul keeps us from contemplating both bird
and brother, when God would have us exult over all his creations." - "The
Neal A. Maxwell Quote Book," p. 226
12/14/11
Are we our brothers’ keepers? In other
words, are we responsible to look after the well-being of our neighbors
as we seek to earn our daily bread? The Savior’s Golden Rule says we
are. Satan says we are not. - Dallin
H. Oaks, "Brother's
Keeper," Ensign (CR) October 1986