Knit Hearts Together Regardless of Differences

 

Brothers and Sisters in Christ

By Elder Ulisses Soares

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

As disciples of Christ, we are invited to increase our faith in, and love for, our spiritual brother- and sisterhood by genuinely knitting our hearts together in unity and love, regardless of our differences, thereby increasing our ability to promote respect for the dignity of all the sons and daughters of God....

Considering the sacred bond that unifies us with God as His children, this prophetic direction given by President Nelson is undoubtedly a fundamental step toward building bridges of understanding rather than creating walls of prejudice and segregation among us.¹¹ However, as Paul warned the Ephesians, we must recognize that in order to achieve this purpose, it will be required to make an individual and collective effort to act with lowliness, meekness, and long-suffering toward one another....

My dear friends, I can assure you that the light of a new day shines brighter in our lives when we see and treat our fellow beings with respect and dignity and as true brothers and sisters in Christ....

[attitudes of contempt, indifference, disrespect, and even prejudice] Such attitudes have their roots in pride, arrogance, envy, and jealousy, characteristics of a carnal nature,²² which are totally contrary to Christlike attributes. This conduct is improper for those who are striving to become His true disciples....

We are invited to walk together, peaceably, with our hearts filled with love toward God and all men—or, as Abraham Lincoln noted, “with malice toward none; with charity for all.”