A friend, who asked to remain anonymous, shared part of an incredible life story during a talk on compassion. I sat mesmerized listening to the stories. If living with compassion is possible during times of war and survival, how much easier should it be to cultivate that empathy during times of peace when we have the chance to choose. But do we?
My friend’s words.
What Is Compassion?
What is compassion? And, who are examples of compassion? According to Elder Bruce R. McConkie, compassion is kindness, mercy, charity, and love. In Mormon Doctrine, Elder McConkie states, “true compassion for one’s fellow men is a mark of a true saint. One of the specific covenants taken by those who accept fellowship with the saints is to mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that need comfort, and bear the burdens of each other.”
I’d like to share with you an experience that I had with my parents. Cambodia is the country where I was born and raised. Back in the late 1970’s, there was a war that occurred in Cambodia. The Communist party had a desire to wipe out the entire country because they wanted to rule Cambodia. And the only way they knew how to do this was to eliminate all of the prominent people—doctors, educators, engineers, politicians, military personnel, and many, many more. There was a mass genocide in which 2.2 million people were executed!
Whoever survived the war was considered extremely lucky. My mother and father were two of these people. By the conclusion of the war, the entire country was devastated. People who were lucky enough to survive had no houses, no jobs, and, of course, no money. They had to do whatever it took in order to have enough food to support their families. My family was one of them.
My dad was in the military at that time and he was constantly away from home. Once a year, I had a chance to see my father, for only two days. So, my mom had to take all of the responsibilities. My mother was a father and a mother at the same time. She worked really hard day and night just to make sure all of her children would be able to go to school and had enough for their needs. In fact, at this time my mother worked 6 jobs—including one where she put herself in great danger by traveling back and forth between Vietnam and Cambodia as it was a regular occurrence for people to get robbed and shot on the road. She would go to Vietnam to buy things such as medicine, gas, and food, and then return to Cambodia and sell them.
Although I was only a little girl at this time, I still remember the great sacrifice that my mom made for my family. To me, my mom is a wonderful example of compassion.
Later on in life, I was blessed to be the first member of my family to be baptized. Not long after I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I decided to serve a mission. It was an extremely difficult decision for my parents to let me go because they were not members of the church. Furthermore, it was especially hard for my mother because she knew that it would be a long time until she would be able to see me again.
Nevertheless, after many long conversations with my parents, I was able to persuade them to let me serve the Lord. They understood that through serving a mission, I would be able to grow to become a better person. I served my mission in Anaheim California and when I returned home, my parents were so happy to see many changes for the better in me. They were so happy for the decision they made to let me go on a mission.
As I reflect at all the sacrifices and love that my parents have for me, I always ask myself, if my earthly parents love me this much, then how much more does my Heavenly Father love me?
We may not remember what happened in our pre-mortal life, but studying the gospel helps us to know that we were living with our Father in Heaven before we came to earth. While we were His spirit children, we did not have all the blessings that our Heavenly Father had in store for us. He knew that in order for all of us to become more like him we would have to learn and grow on our own.
He also wanted all of us to return to His presence after completion of our journeys through life. Yet, He knew that it would not be easy for us to return home because there would be many temptations and challenges. So, He provided for all of us the greatest blessing of all – Our Savior – to help us overcome obstacles that we cannot overcome by ourselves.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3: 16.
Jesus Christ came to earth to fulfill all things that His Father in Heaven commanded Him. Our Savior is the greatest example of compassion. He loved everyone, including people who despised and hurt Him. He cared for the poor, healed the sick, and served all people.
“And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude with one accord did go forth with their sick and their afflicted and their lame and with their blind and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them everyone as they were brought forth unto him” 3 Nephi 17: 9.
Christ was also willing to sacrifice His life for the sins of the world. Through His atonement, all of our sins may be forgiven and it’s now possible for all of us to live in the presence of Heavenly Father again after we leave our mortal life. Moses 1:39 states, “For behold, this is my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”
Results of Compassion
What are the results of having compassion for one another? Enos was blessed because of his great faith in God. Because Enos had repented with all his heart, he gained the remission of his sins. Furthermore, he wanted the same blessings for his brethren, the Nephites. So, he began to pray with all his soul to the Lord to help the Nephites.
“Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them” Enos 1:9.
The Lord once again heard his voice and he told Enos, “I will visit thy brethren.” Enos did not stop after the Lord answered his prayer concerning the Nephites; he continued to reach out, and even prayed for the Lamanites. Once again his prayer was answered.
“And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith” Enos 1:12.
Have you ever wondered how the world would be if everyone loved, cared, and helped one another unconditionally? This world would be a beautiful place. This world would be blessed with joy and happiness, and it would blossom with love and smiles. “There [would be] joy in every sound, peace and plenty here abide, smiling sweet on every side when there is love.”
From the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, it reads, “We hope that our brethren will be careful of one another’s feelings, and walk in love, honoring one another more than themselves, as is required by the Lord. If you will put away from your midst all evil speaking, back biting and ungenerous thoughts and feelings: humble your selves, and cultivate every principle of virtue and love, then will the blessings of Jehovah rest upon you; and you will yet see good and glorious days; peace will be within your gates, and prosperity in your borders.”
The world will be blessed because of the good work that comes out from each and everyone of us.
Reaching Out Through Our Own Challenges
Sometimes life can be tough for us and we might wonder how can we care for other people, and how can we help other people while we have a lot of challenges ourselves. By caring, helping, loving, and serving others, we will be able to learn to love and to overcome our selfishness. We will be so blessed that we will not have enough room for all the blessings.
Our time here on earth is to learn and to grow. The only way we can progress is to be obedient to the Lord and follow the commandments. Sometimes it is not easy and we complain, but we ought to remember that we are not alone.
I would like to share one of my favorite poems that you might be familiar with. It’s called “Footprints.”
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. And that it happened at the vey lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.”
The Lord replied, “My son, my precious child. I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
When we remain faithful to the Lord, He is with us in every step that we take.
I know that my Redeemer lives. What comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, he lives, who once was dead. He lives, my ever-living Head. He lives to bless me with his love. He lives to plead for me above. He lives my hungry soul to feed. He lives to bless in time of need. He lives my kind wise heavenly friend. He lives and loves me to the end. He lives and while he lives I’ll sing. He lives my prophet priest and king.
I know that our Savior loves each and every one of us with all his heart and He hears and answers our prayers. I hope and pray that when things go wrong we will always remember that He lives and we are loved.
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