Sometimes we think of loving our neighbors in abstract terms. But we should strive to love others personally, especially when they’re different from us. In her 2018 BYU devotional, “Loving Our Neighbors,” Professor D. Carolina Núñez speaks about the importance of loving the people around us. She explains, though, that… Continue reading
When others are sad, we want to take their sorrow away. But we need to try to understand their feelings rather than try to fix them. When other people feel sad, our instincts tell us that we need to somehow make them happy again. Our society views sadness as a disease that… Continue reading
As disciples of Christ, we must show empathy and compassion for those driven from their homes—because Christ taught us to relieve human suffering. As a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I taught the gospel to Cambodian Americans in Tacoma, Washington. They were the most welcoming… Continue reading
Sometimes we feel like we’re the only ones who’ve faced our particular challenges. Luckily, we can look to examples of wise, strong, and courageous women who have overcome enormous challenges themselves. When I was younger, the women in my ward guided, served, and loved me with astounding strength and wisdom.… Continue reading
Life can be unfair, painful, and uncertain. When we or our loved ones find ourselves in those times of grief or frustration, we can rely on the Savior and his perfect example of empathy. In his BYU devotional, “Hard Sayings and Safe Spaces: Making Room for Struggle as Well as… Continue reading
“You are surrounded by people. You pass them on the street, visit them in their homes, and travel among them. They are all children of God.” (Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service, 2018). In Elder Jorge T. Becerra’s April 2021 general conference talk, “Poor Little Ones,” he shares… Continue reading
As we reach out to one another in empathy and love, our diversity can unite us. I love Berlin. Of all the wonderful places in the world, it’s one of my favorites because of its rich human diversity. While living in Berlin, I brushed shoulders with people from all over… Continue reading
When we practice empathy, we actually practice loving in a divine way. In a world enamored with contention and discord, it can be difficult to feel God’s inclusive love for all of His children. Between cancel culture, competing media, and increasingly polarized views, we can find ourselves “othering,” or alienating,… Continue reading
Through our suffering, we learn to have Christlike empathy for others. If God loves us, why do we suffer? Most of us have had to face this question, and modern revelation provides sound, intellectual answers. But when we’re struggling through trials, sometimes the intellectual answer isn’t enough to carry our… Continue reading
