Respect and the Golden Rule – January 17, 1999
Treating others with respect is an important and timeless virtue. Beginning with something as fundamental as the Golden Rule, respect is among the most essential values of life. It is known by many names: common courtesy, civility, esteem; but the simple definition taught to children is perhaps the most meaningful—treat others as you’d like to be treated.
Such respect acknowledges the dignity of the human soul and the inherent rights of every person. But where does it all begin? asked Eleanor Roosevelt many years ago. “In small places, close to home—so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any map of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person: the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere.”1
And so, in our earliest years we begin to learn about respect. Good parents teach how and why to live the Golden Rule. They show their children respect—and earn it themselves—as they demonstrate understanding, love, and consideration. By precept and example, they endeavor to instill in the hearts of their children the wonder and potential of each unique person and the respect he or she deserves.
We have daily opportunities to choose how to treat others, how to show our esteem for them—for their thoughts, their feelings, and their beliefs. We can choose kindness over sarcasm, patience over retaliation, humility over arrogance, forgiveness over hardheartedness. Person to person, these are significant occasions we have to recognize the rights and dignity of all.
Recently, a physician was troubled by the belligerent behavior of one of his patients. The doctor didn’t know why the man was always so sullen, angry, and hostile; but instead of avoiding the patient, the doctor decided to confront him and respectfully ask forgiveness of him. Not sure how the apology would be received, the doctor extended his hand, said that he was sorry, and asked to be his friend. The patient, though surprised, seemed touched by the respect shown him and also apologized. A few days later the doctor received a kind note from the man. Respect and the Golden Rule had turned a full circle.
Truly, “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”2 As His sons and daughters, we affirm the inherent worth of His children by treating each other with respect.
Program #3622
1Remarks at presentation of booklet on human rights, In Your Hands, to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, United Nations, New York, March 27, 1958.
2Doctrine and Covenants 18:10.