Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf on treating others with love and forgiveness

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf (born November 6, 1940) served as a Seventy from 1994-2004, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve.  He served as second counselor in the First Presidency from 2008 to 2018.

"This topic of judging others could actually be taught in a two-word sermon. When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following:

"Stop it!

"It’s that simple. We simply have to stop judging others and replace judgmental thoughts and feelings with a heart full of love for God and His children. God is our Father. We are His children. We are all brothers and sisters. I don’t know exactly how to articulate this point of not judging others with sufficient eloquence, passion, and persuasion to make it stick. I can quote scripture, I can try to expound doctrine, and I will even quote a bumper sticker I recently saw. It was attached to the back of a car whose driver appeared to be a little rough around the edges, but the words on the sticker taught an insightful lesson. It read, 'Don’t judge me because I sin differently than you.'

"We must recognize that we are all imperfect—that we are beggars before God. Haven’t we all, at one time or another, meekly approached the mercy seat and pleaded for grace? Haven’t we wished with all the energy of our souls for mercy—to be forgiven for the mistakes we have made and the sins we have committed?

"Because we all depend on the mercy of God, how can we deny to others any measure of the grace we so desperately desire for ourselves? My beloved brothers and sisters, should we not forgive as we wish to be forgiven?"

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Merciful Obtain Mercy," General Conference April 2012
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While serving as a member of the First Presidency, President Uchtdorf shared many powerful messages, and this is a very memorable one. He encouraged us to consider our relationships with one another and to think about the need for love and forgiveness in those interactions. Too often we hold on to grudges and disagreements, as well as treating others with less respect than they deserve; and his advice was very simple: "Stop it!"

When we truly have "a heart full of love for God and His children" it will change our interactions with each other, and we will be more accepting, loving, and forgiving. We depend on mercy from God; we must offer it freely to one another.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)