We are all familiar with the parable of the good Samaritan. As a man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho, he was robbed and left for dead. Seeing him, a priest crossed the road and passed on the other side, so as not to encounter the man. A Levite also passed by, offering no help. But when the Samaritan saw him, “he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” Jesus then posed this question, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among thieves?” The answer, of course, was the one who showed compassion. To which the Savior said, “Go, and do thou likewise.”1
Of this parable, M. Russell Ballard says, “I am impressed with its power and its simplicity. But have you ever wondered why the Savior chose to make the hero of this story a Samaritan? There was considerable antipathy between the Jews and the Samaritans at the time of Christ. Under normal circumstances, these two groups avoided association with each other. It would still be a good, instructive parable if the man who fell among thieves had been rescued by a brother Jew. His deliberate use of Jews and Samaritans clearly teaches that we are all neighbors and that we should love, esteem, respect, and serve one another despite our deepest differences—including religious, political, and cultural differences.”2
What a great reminder this parable is as we study Chapter 20, Fellowship With Those Who are Not of Our Faith. In the lesson, Gordon B. Hinckley teaches, “We must never forget that we live in a world of great diversity. The people of the earth are all our Father’s children and are of many and varied religious persuasions. We must cultivate tolerance and appreciation and respect one another. …We must never adopt a holier-than-thou attitude. We must not be self-righteous. We must be magnanimous and open and friendly. We can keep our faith. We can practice our religion. We can cherish our method of worship without being offensive to others. I take this occasion to plead for a spirit of tolerance and neighborliness, of friendship and love toward those of other faiths.”
When my children were swimming competitively, I had the pleasure to become acquainted with a wonderful woman. Although our children swam for different teams, we would see each regularly. Through the years, we would often sit together and talk. We became good friends. During one of the meets, she shared with me how her son was being ridiculed and teased incessantly by the “Mormon” boys on his team. I was sad to learn that their mothers had also excluded my friend and treated her poorly. Even more unfortunate was the fact that this seemed to be a common experience for them. I told my friend that I, too, was a Mormon. And I explained that that kind of behavior was not what our religion taught. In fact, it was completely contrary to what we believe. Although she has moved to another state, we have remained friends. I have often hoped she is having better interactions with members of the Church there than when she lived here.
Unfortunately, that was not my only experience having to explain that excluding others is not what we are taught. I have a friend whose son invited several boys from school to his birthday party. Only one came. When her son saw his best friend at school the Monday after the party, he asked him why he hadn’t come. His friend told him that his mother wouldn’t let him because he wasn’t a Mormon. My friend’s son was devastated! My friend did not know how to explain that kind of thinking to her son. And understandably so! I told her that from the pulpit of general conference we have been taught NOT to do that and expressed my embarrassment, shame and sadness that her family had to deal with that kind of mistreatment from members of my church! Gratefully my friend has had some very positive experiences with members of the Church, particularly when she was younger and lived in another state. But that doesn’t diminish the hurt that is being caused by careless members now.
Elder Ballard specifically addressed both of these situations when he said, “Occasionally I hear of members offending those of other faiths by overlooking them and leaving them out. This can occur especially in communities where our members are the majority. I have heard about narrow-minded parents who tell children that they cannot play with a particular child in the neighborhood simply because his or her family does not belong to our Church. This kind of behavior is not in keeping with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. I cannot comprehend why any member of our Church would allow these kinds of things to happen. I have been a member of this Church my entire life. I have been a full-time missionary, twice a bishop, a mission president, a Seventy, and now an Apostle. I have never taught—nor have I ever heard taught—a doctrine of exclusion. I have never heard the members of this Church urged to be anything but loving, kind, tolerant, and benevolent to our friends and neighbors of other faiths.”2
Similar counsel has been given by many of our prophets and apostles. I list just a few.
“Too often non-Mormons here in Utah have been offended and alienated by some of our members who will not allow their children to be friends with children of other faiths. Surely we can teach our children values and standards of behavior without having them distance themselves or show disrespect to any who are different.” Dallin H. Oaks3
“We must teach our children to be tolerant and friendly toward those not of our faith. … [W]e can teach our children effectively enough that we need not fear that they will lose their faith while being friendly and considerate with those who do not subscribe to the doctrine of this Church.” Gordon B. Hinckley4
“Many good and honest people of different faiths or of no faith at all are on the Lord’s side in seeking the betterment of their fellowmen and exerting a positive influence on society. … Be grateful for the good that people do everywhere, whether to serve society generally or in behalf of the Church. Always be tolerant and considerate of the views and beliefs of others, recognizing each one as a son or daughter of God.” Joseph B. Wirthlin5
“We must guard against bigotry that raises its ugly voice toward those who hold different opinions. Bigotry manifests itself, in part, in unwillingness to grant equal freedom of expression. Everyone, including people of religion, has the right to express his or her opinions in the public square. But no one has a license to be hateful toward others as those opinions are expressed. Church history gives ample evidence of our members being treated with hatred and bigotry. How ironically sad it would be if we were to treat others as we have been treated. … Jesus Christ set the example for us to follow—to show respect to all and hatred toward none. As His disciples, let us fully mirror His love and love one another so openly and completely that no one feels abandoned, alone, or hopeless.” Dale G. Renlund6
“Turn to the Savior to understand how to live a Christlike life while also showing fairness and love to others who do not share your beliefs. … [A]s you … reach out to others in a spirit of fairness, you will feel an increase in the Savior’s love for you and for all of Heavenly Father’s children. Your example of respect and fairness will open doors and create meaningful friendships that you will cherish throughout your life.” Ronald A. Rasband7
“I admonish you to be … good neighbors, reaching out to those of other faiths as well as to our own. May we be tolerant of, as well as kind and loving to, those who do not share our beliefs and our standards. The Savior brought to this earth a message of love and goodwill to all men and women. May we ever follow His example.” Thomas S. Monson8
Speaking to the Parliament of the World’s Religions, Russell M. Nelson said, “Members of our church often join with other like-minded citizens, regardless of religious persuasion, in support of worthy causes and humanitarian projects. This can be done without losing independent identity and strength. … [W]e should be models of tolerance of others whose sacred beliefs may differ from our own. We recognize that if one religion is persecuted, all are attacked.” He also shared with them a statement the First Presidency made several years earlier, “Our message is one of special love and concern for the eternal welfare of all men and women, regardless of religious belief, race, or nationality, knowing that we are truly brothers and sisters because we are the sons and daughters of the same eternal Father.”9
I love that sweet reminder! We are all sons and daughters of the same eternal Father!
We remember that the Savior taught that “by their fruits ye shall know them.”10 Some only know of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because of its response when a great need arises. The Church is exceptional in tending to the needs of all of God’s children. Recently we have seen that outpouring of love and support for those who have been so severely affected by the hurricanes, other natural disasters and tragedies. Surely the Church’s humanitarian efforts are some of its most recognized “fruits.”
What if I am the only Latter-day Saint someone knows. What do my “fruits” say about me? Are tolerance and kindness, love and acceptance some of those fruits? While it is true we cannot do anything about other people’s actions and reactions, we have complete control over our own.
As stated in one of the Articles of Faith, “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”11 President Hinckley reminded us of that when he said, “How very important that is—that while we believe in worshipping God according to our doctrine, we do not become arrogant or self-righteous or prideful but that we extend to others the privilege of worshipping according to their desires.”
One of my favorite scriptures is, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”12 As we offer love and friendship to all, we are letting our light shine. When we are “a little more tolerant, a little more kind, a little more outreaching to lift and help and sustain those among us,” we are letting our light shine. The Savior’s command to let our light shine is not exclusive to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! We would be wise to recognize the shining light of all good people.
While he was the prophet, President Hinckley was interviewed by Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes on national television. During the interview, he was asked how he viewed non-Mormons. His answer, “With love and respect. I have many non-Mormon friends. I respect them. I have the greatest of admiration for them. … To anybody who is not of this Church, I say we recognize all of the virtues and the good that you have. Bring it with you and see if we might add to it.” Can each of us say the same? I surely hope we can! May we emulate his example to treat all with love and respect. May we heed his prophetic counsel to “be less prone to stoop to those things which clearly are unbecoming us. We are children of God and we love Him. Act that way a little more.” Isn’t that really the message of parable of the Good Samaritan? Let us take every opportunity to “go, and do thou likewise.”
References:
2. Doctrine of Inclusion – M. Russell Ballard
3. Loving Others and Living With Differences – Dallin H. Oaks
4. Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley – Chapter 20
5. The Lord’s Side – Joseph B. Wirthlin
6. Our Good Shepherd – Dale G. Renlund
7. Religious Freedom and Fairness For All – Ronald A. Rasband
8. Until We Meet Again – Thomas S. Monson
9. Combatting Spiritual Drift—Our Global Pandemic – Russell M. Nelson
10. Matthew 7:20
11. The Articles of Faith 1:11
12. Matthew 5:16