There is a scripture in The Book of Mormon that could be used as a personal motto or mission statement. The scripture is clear and concise, leaving little room for confusion or misinterpretation. In very few words, it offers sound, practical and timeless advice. 1
The scripture pertains to Alma’s counsel to his son, Corianton. In part, he said, 'See that you are merciful...deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually' (Alma 41:14).
What Alma told his son more than two millennia ago is advice that applies to everyone, every time, everywhere. It was applicable in Alma's day, remains applicable in our day, and will continue to be applicable for generations to come. While originally directed to Corianton, this scripture applies to each of us. The Lord said through the Prophet Joseph Smith, 'What I say unto one I say unto all.' (Doctrine & Covenant 93:49)
Be Merciful
Grace, kindness, forgiveness and charity are synonymous with mercy. These are things I would like and hope to receive, and in fact, I have received from family, friends, neighbours and complete strangers. If we hope for mercy in our lives, we must be willing to grant mercy to others.
The Savior called the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for omitting 'the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith' and reminded them, 'these ought ye to have done' (Matthew 23:23).
Elder Uchtdorf, while serving as Second Counsellor in the First Presidency, said, 'Because we all depend on the mercy of God, how can we deny to others any measure of the grace we so desperately desire for ourselves?' (in Conference Report, Apr. 2012, 75)
The Savior taught, 'Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy' (Matthew 5:7).
Deal Justly
Other words that could be used instead of 'deal justly' might be: deal honestly, with integrity, ethically, honourably, or uprightly.
Elder Jeffery R. Holland said, 'We are to deal justly, never unjustly, never unfairly' (in Conference Report, Apr. 2016, 126).
There is a familiar saying, “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” One’s true character surfaces not when the eyes of family and friends are watching but in our secret spaces, in the privacy of our homes or when we are granted anonymity in a large crowd. What we do and how we act in these situations speaks volumes about the purity of our hearts.
Judge Righteously
This is related to the first point, 'Be Merciful.' Remember, if we extend mercy, we will receive mercy. Likewise, if we judge righteously, we shall be judged righteously.
Elder Holland continues, 'We are to judge righteously, never self-righteously, never unrighteously” (in Conference Report, Apr. 2016, 126).
Jesus taught, 'Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged.' (Matthew 7:1-2)
The Joseph Smith translation of this scripture clarifies how we should judge when judgment is required: 'Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged; but judge righteous judgment.' (JST, Matthew 7:1-2)
Every day, we face decisions that require our judgment. Everyone, especially our youth, will face decisions that could have long-lasting consequences. These types of decisions require our judgment. May it be a righteous judgment.
When it comes to judging a person's intentions, worthiness, motives or testimonies, perhaps the best judgment might be no judgment at all.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman saints, 'Let us not therefore judge one another any more.' (Romans 14:13)
Do Good Continually
Those who heard and embraced the words spoken by King Mosiah in The Book of Mormon experienced a change, a mighty change. The multitude reported, 'the Spirit of the Lord...wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually' (Mosiah 5:2). For those truly converted to the Lord, the desire to sin will be replaced by a desire to do good.
Perhaps there has never been a time like ours when acts of kindness have been more needed. Selfless service and humanitarian aid will bless lives and ease suffering, whether it is done for neighbours across the street or strangers across the ocean. I have seen it in young people finding volunteer opportunities on JustServe.org to paint a church of another denomination and in a small town coming together to collect donations for a war-torn country. Service will strengthen and unite communities, blessing the lives of both those who receive and those who give.
Some service opportunities might be done on a grand scale and featured in a church publication. Most will be small and known only to the giver and the receiver. Either way, I have seen lives being blessed and friendships formed.
My wife and I had the privilege to serve as missionaries in the Philippines. Like most seniors preparing to serve away from home, our main concern was leaving our children and grandchildren for 18 months. We asked ourselves, “Was this the best time to leave when our daughters were young mothers with young children?” We wondered, “How can we support them in their times of need when we would be oceans away?” Our minds were put at ease as we heard story after story of friends, neighbours and ward members showing up at their homes at “just the right time.” We saw God’s hand direct their lives so much better than we ever could have. It became clear to us that while we tried to serve God’s children in a foreign land, God’s children served and blessed the lives of our children and grandchildren at home.
Paul said to the Galatians, 'As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men' (Galatians 6:10).
Jesus Christ has extended his mercy to each of us. We should accept it gratefully and extend mercy to those around us. We must deal justly and be honest in all our dealings. We should avoid judging others. When judgment is required, we can pray for wisdom and inspiration and then judge righteously. We can ease burdens as we “do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2) and serve those around us. When we do so, we become “More blessed and holy—More, Savior, like thee.” (“More Holiness Give Me,” Hymns, no. 131)