“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” --Leo Buscaglia (author of Born for Love, 1992)
An intelligent and beautiful woman was once asked, “What is the most important quality that you seek in a husband?” She answered: “Kindness.”
A good husband is kind. A man who is kind and sympathetic will also be gentle. He will be considerate of others’ feelings and courteous in his behavior. He will have a helpful nature. A kind and patient husband will quickly pardon the mistakes and failings of his wife and children. Because he loves them, he will not blame, find fault, or criticize.
The kindest phrase is always the unkind thought left forever unspoken.
A characteristic of godliness
Genuine kindness is a divine attribute. The Apostle Peter spoke of the process by which one can become Christ-like, a partaker “of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4-7). He said: “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity.”
The effectual priesthood holder is kind. A man who holds the Melchizedek priesthood cannot exercise priesthood power unless he is kind. President Gordon B. Hinkley said, “Personal worthiness is the standard of eligibility to receive and exercise this sacred power.” If a man is unkind, priesthood power ceases altogether and has no efficacy (Doctrine and Covenants 121:36-37).Gordon B. Hinckley (with wife, Marjorie, pictured above) was a model of pure kindness in every detail of his life.
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” -- Mark Twain
