Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Ulisses Soares, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Ulisses Soares counsels members of the Church to promote respect, unity, and dignity for all of God's children.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- How does Elder Soares define our relationship with each other according to the gospel of Jesus Christ?
- What is the role of disciples of Christ in promoting respect and dignity among all people?
- What examples does Elder Soares use to illustrate the principle of treating everyone as brothers and sisters in Christ?
- How does the principle of respect for human dignity and equality manifest in the way we dress in the house of the Lord?
- What promise does Elder Soares make if we align our hearts and minds with the knowledge that we are all equal before God?
Topics
Promoting Respect and Dignity Among All People
Elder Soares emphasizes the importance of promoting respect and dignity for all of God's children, regardless of differences. He refers to President Nelson's call to abandon attitudes and actions of prejudice, stating that this is a vital prerequisite for building the Savior's kingdom.
Our dear prophet, Russell M. Nelson, declared: “I call upon our members everywhere to lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice. I plead with you to promote respect for all of God’s children.”
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.
- What does it mean to promote respect and dignity for all of God's children?
- How can we abandon attitudes and actions of prejudice?
- How can you promote respect and dignity for all people in your daily life?
- What steps can you take to abandon attitudes and actions of prejudice?
Our Divine Identity and Kinship
Elder Soares teaches about our divine identity and kinship as children of God, created in His image and likeness. He states that we are all equal before God and have divine nature, heritage, and potential.
The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that we are all begotten spirit sons and daughters of heavenly parents who truly love us and that we lived as a family in God’s presence before we were born on this earth.
The gospel also teaches that we were all created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, we are equal before Him, for He “hath made of one blood all nations of men [and women].” Therefore, we all have divine nature, heritage, and potential, for there is “one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in [us] all.”
- What does it mean to have a divine identity and kinship?
- How does our divine identity relate to our equality before God?
- How does understanding your divine identity and kinship affect your interactions with others?
- In what ways can you remind yourself of your divine nature, heritage, and potential?
Jesus Christ's Example of Treating Everyone as Brothers and Sisters
Elder Soares discusses how Jesus Christ exemplified the principle of treating everyone as brothers and sisters during His earthly ministry. He highlights the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman to illustrate this principle.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus so perfectly exemplified this principle as He “went about doing good” unto all people, inviting them to come unto Him and partake of His goodness regardless of their origin, social class, or cultural characteristics.
One of the most striking occasions when this occurred was when the Savior traveled to Galilee, purposely taking the route which passed through Samaria. Jesus then decided to sit by Jacob’s well to rest. While there, a Samaritan woman approached to fill her pitcher with water. In His omniscience, Jesus addressed her, saying, “Give me to drink.”
- How did Jesus Christ exemplify the principle of treating everyone as brothers and sisters?
- What can we learn from the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman?
- How can you follow Jesus Christ's example of treating everyone as brothers and sisters in your daily life?
- What steps can you take to invite others to partake of Christ's goodness regardless of their origin, social class, or cultural characteristics?
Eliminating Prejudiced Thoughts or Actions
Elder Soares talks about the need to eliminate prejudiced thoughts or actions within the community of Saints. He emphasizes that such attitudes have their roots in pride, arrogance, envy, and jealousy, which are contrary to Christlike attributes.
I also feel genuine sorrow in my heart for those whose minds remain darkened, whose vision is limited, and whose hearts remain hardened by the belief in the inferiority of those who are different from them. Their limited view of others actually obstructs their ability to see who they are as children of God.
In fact, my dear brothers and sisters, there is no place for prejudiced thoughts or actions in the community of Saints.
- Why are prejudiced thoughts or actions contrary to Christlike attributes?
- How do prejudiced thoughts or actions obstruct our ability to see others as children of God?
- How can you eliminate prejudiced thoughts or actions in your own life?
- What steps can you take to promote a community without prejudice?
The Principle of Respect for Human Dignity and Equality in the Temple
Elder Soares shares how the principle of respect for human dignity and equality is demonstrated in the way we dress in the temple. He says that dressed in white, we are all received by the Lord as His beloved children, performing the same ordinances and making the same covenants.
Have you ever pondered on how the principle of respect for human dignity and equality is demonstrated through the simple way we dress in the house of the Lord?
We all come to the temple united in one purpose and filled with the desire to be pure and holy in His holy presence. Dressed in white, all of us are received by the Lord Himself as His beloved children, men and women of God, progeny of Christ.
- How is the principle of respect for human dignity and equality demonstrated in the temple?
- What does our white clothing in the temple symbolize?
- How does understanding the symbolism of our white clothing in the temple affect your view of others?
- How can you apply the principle of respect for human dignity and equality in your daily life?
