Brothers and sisters, it is a unique experience to feel of your spirit from a distance. Though we are not exactly “together,” I am excited to be “with you” today. I pray for the guidance of the Spirit to help each of us to feel and learn what the Lord wants to teach us.
Ever since I was a little kid, I have been fascinated with heroes. All throughout my childhood, I was drawn to movies, stories, and toys that depicted heroes who used special powers or great strength and knowledge to rescue others from danger, defeat the bad guys, and save the world or the galaxy. Occasionally, I would test my heroic ability by trying to move things with the Force. I may or may not still do this with automatic doors. Anyone who says they have never done that has either never seen Star Wars or they are lying!
As I’ve grown older, I’m still fascinated with heroes, but also with the attributes that define them. There are many such attributes, including obvious ones like courage, determination, strength, commitment to a cause, and talent. However, I’ve come to find that sometimes the greatest heroes are typified by much more subtle traits like selflessness, endurance, patience, and generosity.
I’ve also observed that heroes are often defined by doing things that they don’t have to do, but which they instead choose to do based on something deeper in their character. One of the traits I’ve noticed again and again at the core of heroic acts is compassion, which is defined as “a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.”[1]
Heroes make a difference in the lives of people around them. Many of you have chosen your major or set your sights on a career with that same excellent goal. I’d like to share some thoughts with you about how compassion heroically “makes a difference” as was just quoted in our opening scripture, and how development of compassion helps us come unto Christ.
I.
One of my favorite compassionate heroes is a man named Richard Kirkland. This is part of his story.
It was December 1862. The American Civil War had been raging for over a year and a half. Among other groups of Confederate soldiers, the 2nd South Carolina regiment was stationed near Fredericksburg, Virginia, determined to prevent Union forces from entering the state. Their post was a hilltop called Marye’s Heights, where, standing four men deep behind a stone wall, the men of the 2nd South Carolina poured volley after volley of cannon and small arms fire into the oncoming Union ranks. No Union soldier ever reached closer than 25 yards from the wall before being cut mercilessly down by enemy fire. The suffering cries of the wounded and dying were heart-rending.
On the morning of December 14th, the Union troops had been pinned in place for two nights and a day. Over 1,000 Union soldiers lay dead on the ground before Marye’s Heights; over 7,000 more lay wounded and freezing in no-man’s land, many unable to move. None of their friends could come to their aid without inviting almost certain death. "The Yankees were literally piled in our front," remembered one soldier, "dead and dying together, the living crying, ‘water, water!’"
One wounded Union soldier cried out in desperation, "If my friends cannot give me water, will my enemies give me some?"
Twenty-year-old Sgt. Richard Kirkland of the 2nd South Carolina could not ignore the cries of the suffering. Kirkland approached his commanding officer, Gen. Joseph Kershaw, for permission to cross the barricade and take water to the suffering Union soldiers. Naturally, Kershaw discouraged him, saying, "Kirkland, don't you know that you would get a bullet through your head the moment you stepped over the wall?" "Yes, sir," the young man replied, "I know that; but if you will let me, I am willing to try it." Concerned for his soldier’s safety but recognizing his courage and greatness of spirit, Kershaw reluctantly gave Kirkland permission to go. Since only the commanding general could negotiate a truce, no white flag could be flown to call for a protective cease-fire. Kirkland remained determined despite the obvious risk.
Loaded with as many canteens as he could carry, Kirkland jumped over the wall that protected his fellow troops and dashed out onto the open plain. Bullets struck dangerously close. The firing ceased however, as Union soldiers realized what Kirkland was doing. Reaching the nearest soldier, Kirkland knelt down, opened a canteen, and gave the suffering man a drink. He then took the soldier's pack and placed it under his head and laid the man's coat across him for warmth. Having done what he could, Kirkland then hurried to the next wounded man—and the next, and the next.
Firing resumed when Kirkland returned to his lines to fill more canteens, but as soon as he came over the wall again, the bullets stopped. Some soldiers on each side even cheered his bravery. For an hour and a half, Kirkland continued his mission of mercy until he was unable to reach any more wounded.[2]
We are all familiar with John 15:13, which reads, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”[3] In a truly heroic gesture of compassion, Sgt. Kirkland placed his life on the line not to save the life of a friend, but to minister to the needs of an enemy. I think Kirkland understood that Jesus Christ laid down His life for all who would accept His sacrifice, and in so doing, offered to everyone on every side of every battle the opportunity to be His friend—and deserving of compassion.
II.
Richard Kirkland is one of countless compassionate, heroic men and women who made a difference by choosing to do something they didn’t have to do in service of others. I’ve been on the receiving end of compassionate heroism myself. While these experiences may not be as dramatic as Richard Kirkland’s, to me they are no less powerful.
Experience 1: While attending BYU-Idaho shortly after my mission, one of my friends from high school was killed in an airplane crash. As I walked through the Manwaring Center shortly after learning of the accident, I happened to see another friend, the younger brother of the one who had died. As I approached him to express my sympathy and condolences, I struggled to control my emotions. Seeing this, my friend simply smiled and said, “It’s okay,” and wrapped me in a bear hug. In an effort to express compassion, I was in turn touched by the heroic compassion of my friend who saw beyond his own greater pain and comforted me in mine. He didn’t have to, but he did anyway, and it made a difference.
Experience 2: A few years ago, my 9-year-old nephew was killed in a tragic accident. As we attended the viewing preceding his funeral, I was touched by the compassion and care shown by family friends who we hadn’t seen in many years who came to express support. Then, following a long day of funeral services and the attendant family gatherings, we arrived home to find our neighbors just finishing up mowing our lawn. The acts of friends temporarily “laying down their lives” or the things they might otherwise have been doing and choosing to offer compassionate service and love were heroic. They didn’t have to, but they did anyway, and it made a difference.
Experience 3: One night several years ago while my family traveled home from a campus concert on winter roads, our vehicle began to slide. Unable to regain control, we spun around several times, went off the road, took out a signpost, plowed out about 20 feet of farm fence, and came to rest in a ditch with the driver’s side wheels in the air. We had barely stopped moving when several other cars stopped and their occupants came on the run to administer help. Miraculously, my pregnant wife, my children, and I were shaken but unhurt and our vehicle was largely undamaged, but compassionate, heroic strangers came to our rescue and stayed with us until we could get back out and return home. They didn’t have to, but they did anyway, and it made a difference.
III.
These friends and strangers didn’t wear capes, have extraordinary strength, or save the galaxy, but to me, they are heroes: powerful examples of compassion. Devotional discussion board participants listed spouses, neighbors, siblings, temple workers, coworkers, mission companions, Church leaders, strangers, and more as compassionate influences on their lives. Each of us can be compassionate heroes working for the Savior in any of those roles.
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have covenanted to “bear one another’s burdens . . . to mourn with those that mourn . . . and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.”[4] As President Henry B. Eyring teaches, “That is why you have a feeling to want to help a person struggling to move forward under a load of grief and difficulty. You promised that you would help the Lord make their burdens light and be comforted. You were given the power to help lighten those loads when you received the gift of the Holy Ghost.”[5]
As President and Sister Eyring taught in devotional last week, our family relationships are eternally important and rewarding, but may present challenges at times. It’s no surprise that “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” lists compassion as one of the principles upon which successful families are built. We recently experienced the truth of this principle in our family. One day, my three-year-old son, Josh, noticed that his older sister was having a rough day. Willing to do his best, he climbed up next to her on the couch and said, “I know what will help you feel better,” and began to softly sing her the ABCs. Compassionate heroes come in all shapes and sizes; the Lord magnifies whatever we have to offer if we will simply try. If you are tempted to doubt yourself, remember this powerful teaching from Elder Neal A. Maxwell: “God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, He will increase our capability.”[6]
IV.
President Henry B. Eyring has shared a lesson he learned from one of his priesthood leaders, who told him, “When you meet someone, treat them as if they were in serious trouble, and you will be right more than half the time.” President Eyring added, “Not only was he right, but I have learned over the years that he was too low in his estimate.”[7]
I have also found this to be true. Even those who seem to have trouble-free lives often have deeper needs than we can see on the outside. Each day, people you pass on the street or in the hallway are dealing with health problems, financial challenges, marital struggles, trials of faith and more, most of which you would never know from the outside. Imagine: if each person you saw had a caption above their head explaining the challenges they’re facing right now, how would you treat them?
In the coming week, I challenge you to pray that the Lord will bless you with increased compassion and then ask Him to show you the needs of those around you. Determine now to act upon the promptings you feel to serve others with compassion. Perhaps you’ll feel prompted to do something like:
- Offer your roommate a ride somewhere
- Put down your phone and have a conversation with someone
- Send a note of encouragement to a struggling friend
- Extend forgiveness to someone who has hurt or even just annoyed you
Maybe you’ll be prompted to not do something, like:
- Refrain from criticizing someone and choose to be patient instead
- Avoid unkind or sarcastic comments on social media
- Not get angry at someone’s lack of driving skill, and see instead the possible concerns that might be causing their behavior
- Not roll your eyes or take offense at someone else’s actions, whether ignorant or intentional
You may even find your promptings to compassionate behavior can extend to yourself: being patient with yourself when you struggle; not condemning yourself for imperfections; believing that the Lord sees your potential; and trusting His power and willingness to forgive you when you repent. I testify that the Savior is acutely aware of our efforts to show compassion. As President Henry B. Eyring teaches, “When we offer succor to anyone, the Savior feels it as if we reached out to succor Him.”[8]
V.
Our Savior Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of compassion. I love Hebrews 4:15–16: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”[9]
Consider what the Savior’s compassion motivated Him to do and to teach. Compassion is cited as a motivating factor in each of the following well-known experiences and lessons from His ministry:
- Healing the sick[10]
- Healing the blind[11]
- Healing a leper[12]
- Casting out devils[13]
- Feeding the five thousand[14]
- Raising the son of the widow of Nain from the dead[15]
- Parable of the unjust servant[16]
- Parable of the prodigal son,[17] and perhaps most famously in the
- Parable of the Good Samaritan[18]
President Thomas S. Monson also used the parable of the Good Samaritan to invite us to commit to compassion:
Each of us in the journey through mortality, will travel his own Jericho Road. What will be your experience? What will be mine? Will I fail to notice him who has fallen among thieves and requires my help? Will you? Will I be one who sees the injured and hears his plea, yet crosses to the other side? Will you? Or will I be one who sees, who hears, who pauses, and who helps? Will you?[19]
Jesus Christ is perfectly compassionate. He is eager to help us in our times of need. He does many things that He doesn’t have to do. His love gives him power: power to save the individual, the world, the galaxy, power to save all of Heavenly Father’s creations, including you and me if we will trust and obey Him. Brothers and sisters, this is the way.[20] He is “the way, the truth, and the life,”[21] and His love—His condescension—His heroic compassion—His Atonement—connects us to our Father. It is certainly an understatement to say that His compassion makes a difference.
A few years ago, I wrote a poem that expresses my feelings about the Savior’s compassion for you and me. I’ve invited a few friends to help me share it with you today:
He Did It For Me
I think of Him lying in a manger of straw
With only a few there to see:
He came down to earth as God’s promised one,
He came to save people like me.
I think of Him teaching and healing men’s souls,
and their bodies and calming the sea.
He taught by example the way back to God;
and He did it for people like me.
He fed the multitudes, He raised the dead,
and He made the blind man to see:
He offers His glory to all who have lived:
even to people like me.
I think of Him suffering, and paying the price
In a garden called Gethsemane;
Where He endured pain that I can’t comprehend
and He willingly did it for me.
I think of His agony, the drops that He bled,
Intercession, so that all men might be
Forgiven for things they should never have done;
Even when they’re as foolish as me.
He was betrayed, accused, beaten, and scorned,
and treated with such cruelty.
And although He was perfect, a lamb without spot,
He lovingly did it…for me.
I think of Him struggling to carry the cross
up the hill that they call Calvary,
With thorns on His head, He was mocked all along,
and He did it all for me.
I think of His hands, wrists, and feet, pierced and bleeding
as He finished His work on the tree;
And the spear in His side, and the love in His eyes
as He gave up His own life for me.
And if ever I wonder why he endured this,
Why He suffered all these things to be,
My heart fills with joy, for I’ve learned, and I KNOW
that He did it because He loves me.
He died and was buried in a man’s borrowed tomb
But before hope and joy ceased to be,
My Savior and friend was risen again
And He offers a new life to me.
And I only can marvel, at this greatest gift
and forever indebted I’ll be…
I must give Him my all, because He has offered
to give all that He has to me.
The duty is mine, for my life He has bought
With His sacrifice, He ransoms me.
So I’ll go, tell, and show, and let all the world know
That He’s done it for you…and for me.
Jesus Christ, our compassionate Savior, is the greatest hero of all. He knows our needs, our weaknesses, our struggles, and our desires personally. He stands ready to help us, and invites us to make a difference by joining Him in His heroic, compassionate work of serving one another and bringing immortality and eternal life to all.[22] May our response to that invitation be, “Challenge accepted!” I testify that He is real. He is my hero. I testify that He has compassion for me and for you. Can you feel it?
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] “compassion,” Dictionary.com.
[2] Quotes from Donald C. Pfanz, “The Angel of Marye’s Heights”; fredericksburg.com/civil_war/the-angel-of-marye-s-heights/article_0927a4fc-231a-5ccf-a380-562d299a6364.html.
[3] John 15:13.
[4] Mosiah 18:8–9.
[5] Henry B. Eyring, “The Comforter,” Ensign, May 2015.
[6] Neal A. Maxwell, “It’s Service, Not Status, That Counts,” Ensign, July 1975.
[7] Henry B. Eyring, “Try, Try, Try,” Ensign, Nov. 2019.
[8] Henry B. Eyring, “Is Not This the Fast That I Have Chosen?,” Ensign, May 2015.
[9] Hebrews 4:15–16.
[10] See Matthew 9:35–38; Matthew 14:14.
[11] See Matthew 20:30–34.
[12] See Mark 1:40–42.
[13] See Mark 5:19; Mark 9:22.
[14] See Mark 6:30–42.
[15] See Luke 7:13.
[17] See Luke 15:20.
[18] See Luke 10:33.
[19] Thomas S. Monson, “Your Jericho Road,” Ensign, May 1977.
[20] See 2 Nephi 31:20.
[21] John 14:6.
[22] See Moses 1:39.