Kindness Begins With Me

Today, Acadia gave her very first Sacrament Meeting talk.  Knowing she would be on the Trek, she prepared early in the week, then left room to add experiences that she was sure to have along the handcart trail.  The following is the talk she gave today:

Good morning, my name is Acadia Roser and I have been asked to speak on Sister Cook’s talk in the last General Young Women Meeting called, “Remember This: Kindness Begins With Me.”

Sister Cook begins by defining the word: benevolent. She says, “Benevolent is a lovely word that we don’t hear very often. It means ‘to wish someone well.’ To be benevolent is to be kind, well meaning, and charitable. Many of you learned about the idea of benevolence when you were in Primary and committed this song to memory:

I want to be kind to ev’ryone,
For that is right, you see.
So I say to myself, Remember this:
Kindness begins with me.”

A perfect example of kindness is the story of the Good Samaritan. In the story, we know that the man was visited by three people, but only one stopped to help him. The Samaritan didn’t have to stop to help him, he could have just walked on by like the other two, but he knew the man was hurt and wounded and needed help.

This applies to us because when we see someone in need, we can choose to stop and help them. It’s not something we have to do, but showing an act of kindness can mean the world to another person. And it doesn’t have to be something big, it can be a simple, small thing; like a smile, a kind word, or as simple as sitting next to someone who is sitting alone at lunch.

President Monson said, “I plead with you to have the courage to refrain from judging and criticizing those around you, as well as the courage to make certain everyone is included and feels loved and valued.”

As you probably know, this week the youth went on the Pioneer Handcart Trek. On the first day, one of the families lost some critical pieces to one of their wheels on their handcart. They had to stop to look for the pieces. The family behind them stopped to see if they could help, and began to look, too. Pretty soon, several families were helping to look. Often when one person does something kind, others will follow their example and do the same.

On Friday, during the Trek, there was a point where we faced a big hill. After we went up and down the hill, there was a little party. At the party, there were stations where women, some from our ward even, came to wash our hair and feet. It felt so good to be pampered after such a long and challenging walk. Everyone felt grateful for those volunteers who came to serve us, and we felt refreshed and ready to continue on our journey.

In our Trek family, I noticed that everyone was willing to help one another and share the work so it lightened the load for everyone. Because everyone was willing to help one another, it brought us closer together.

Sister Cook said, “Benevolence can bring joy and unity to your home, your class, your ward, and your school... Expand your goodness to many. Old and young can be greatly blessed by your kind service.”

I know that Jesus was kind to everyone and if we want to be like Him, we need to be nice to others, even when they aren’t nice to us. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

She did a GREAT job!  So many people commented on her talk and how grown up she is getting.  Several people mentioned how she didn't even appear to be nervous.  I couldn't tell if she was, either!  But I asked her later and she said, "Heck yeah!"  She hid it well. 

I'm proud of her.  It's really scary to get up in front of a large group like that.  But she did it!  And she'll do it again. :)