President Dallin H. Oaks on the importance of kindness

President Dallin H. Oaks (born August 12, 1932) served as president of BYU from 1971-1980.  He was then appointed as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court, and resigned when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 1984. He became President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles and also 1st Counselor in the First Presidency in January 2018.

"Be kind to others. Kindness is something many of our youth are doing already. Some groups of youth in some communities have shown the way for all of us. We have been inspired by our young people’s acts of kindness to those in need of love and help. In many ways, you give that help and show that love to one another. We wish all would follow your example.

"At the same time, we know that the adversary tempts all of us to be unkind, and there are still many examples of this, even among children and youth. Persistent unkindness is known by many names, such as bullying, ganging up on someone, or joining together to reject others. These examples deliberately inflict pain on classmates or friends. My young sisters, it is not pleasing to the Lord if we are cruel or mean to others."

- Dallin H. Oaks, "Parents and Children," General Conference October 2018
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Speaking to the General Women's Session of the recent conference, and addressing remarks to the young women in the audience and in the Church, President Oaks gave some general reminders of counsel that would encourage them as they strive to do what's right. We live in a time when the virtue of kindness seems to be fading, and so this was timely:

The phrase "simple acts of kindness" has become common in recent years, but perhaps the deeds themselves need to be more common. The phrase emphasizes that it doesn't take much effort to be kind. There are so many ways our little acts of service and love can make a difference. This is a good reminder for us all.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)