My dear brethren, I am honored by the privilege
to address you in this worldwide gathering of faithful holders
of the priesthood of God.
This evening I reference a topic about which
I have spoken before.
The prophet Mormon outlined one of the key characteristics
of the Savior and which is to be emulated by His disciples.
Said he:
"And if a man be meek and lowly in heart,
and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost
that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs
have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing;
wherefore he must needs have charity.
"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not,
and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own,
is not easily provoked.
...
"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,
for all things must fail--
"But charity is the pure love of Christ,
and it endureth forever; and whoso
is found possessed of it at the last day,
it shall be well with him."
Brethren, we do not honor the priesthood of God
if we are not kind to others.
My dear friend and associate Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
was truly a kind man.
Said he:
"Kindness is the essence of a celestial life.
Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others.
Kindness should permeate all of our words and actions
at work, at school, at church, and especially in our homes.
"Jesus, our Savior, was the epitome
of kindness and compassion."
The scriptures teach us that the righteous exercise
of the priesthood is dependent upon our living
the principles of kindness, charity, and love.
In the Doctrine and Covenants we read:
"No power or influence can or ought to be maintained
by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, ...
by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
"By kindness, and pure knowledge,
which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy,
and without guile."
Brethren, let us examine our lives
and determine to follow the Savior's example by being
kind, loving, and charitable.
As we do so, we will be in a better position
to call down the powers of heaven
for ourselves, for our families, and for our fellow travelers
in this sometimes difficult journey
back to our heavenly home.
I so pray in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord, amen.