Give the Benefit of the Doubt

Today while I was picking weeds along Center Street in Provo at work, I listened to President Utchdorf's talk, "Your Wonderful Journey Home." This part in particular stood out to me:

"Now, take a moment right now and look at the people around you. Some may be your leaders, friends, or family members. Others you may have never met before. Nevertheless, everyone you see around you—in this meeting or at any other place, today or at any other time—was valiant in the premortal world. That unassuming and ordinary-looking person sitting next to you may have been one of the great figures you loved and admired in the sphere of spirits. You may have been such a role model yourself!

Of one thing you can be certain: every person you see—no matter the race, religion, political beliefs, body type, or appearance—is family. The young woman you look at has the same Heavenly Father as you, and she left His loving presence just as you did, eager to come to this earth and live so that she could one day return to Him…

…Life can be difficult, and it can harden hearts to the point where certain people seem unreachable. Some may be filled with anger. Others may mock and ridicule those who believe in a loving God. But consider this: though they do not remember, they too at one time yearned to return to their Father in Heaven."

As I listened to President Utchdorf's words, I did as he instructed and looked up at the people around me. Many of these people were seemingly ordinary, people who were on their lunch break or on their way to a meeting for work. But as I thought more about it, I considered the people who are often found on other blocks along Center Street, those who seemingly camp out in front of the tobacco store and bars. These people are often dirty, unkempt, their hair is long and unwashed, their bodies are shriveling away from lack of nutrition and their hands shake because the addictions in their life are so consuming that they can't hold still. Sometimes they sing random made-up songs that don't make sense to random citizens on the street; other times they talk to people who aren't even there. As I thought of these people in the context of President Utchdorf's words, my heart ached with compassion and love for these people. These too are my family. Even though they have now taken paths that have lead them down dark and lonely roads, they too were faithful in the life before this one. 

This experience, coupled with some of the thoughts I have had over the past several days, convince me that we would all do a little better to give one another more of the benefit of the doubt. It is so tempting to judge the addicted beggar on the street, but we would be much happier if we extended a hand of love and encouragement instead. It is easy to judge someone who is in a bad temper, but if we  merely assume that they are just having a bad day, we will walk away feeling charity for that individual rather than contempt. 

I know that the happiest people in the world are not those who walk around assuming the worst, blaming others, and sticking up their noses. The happiest people in the world are those who live with a spirit of kindness and love continually in their hearts. Not only do these people help those who's lives they touch, they help themselves. Why? Because those who act as Christ did and would come to know Him. That is happiness.