•  Jacob 3:9 …  Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, which is the word of God, that ye revile no more against them because of the darkness of their skins; neither shall ye revile against them because of their filthiness; but ye shall remember your own filthiness, and remember that their filthiness came because of their fathers.
  • “Brother Chad Webb, from CES, noted this tie between empathy and those who distance themselves from the Church:  “They are stepping away because [they] see issues through a certain set of lenses — often through the lenses of not fitting in or through heartbreak or unmet expectations. If we answer their questions without empathy, without understanding the context, we may not provide the help they need. Even worse, if we are dismissive, judgmental, or defensive, we will lose their trust and the opportunity to have a positive influence in their lives.” Brother Webb suggested that understanding why people say or do things is more important to our ministry than observing what they actually say or do.”  – President Scott Smith, San Clemente Stake Conference, June 13th, 2021