“Unfortunately, for some of us, attending church can be hard at times for many different reasons. It could be someone struggling with questions of faith or someone with social anxiety or depression. It could be someone from a different country or race or someone with different life experiences or ways of seeing things who may feel they don’t fit the mold. …It could also be someone mustering the courage to return after years of being away or someone with a nagging feeling that they just don’t measure up and will never belong. President Russell M. Nelson said: “…they do not need your judgment. They need to experience the pure love of Jesus Christ reflected in your words and actions.” Our experience at church is meant to provide vital connections with the Lord and with each other that are so needed for our spiritual and emotional well-being.
…Christlike love and care are higher and holier. The pure love of Christ is charity. As President Nelson taught, “Charity propels us ‘to bear one another’s burdens’ [Mosiah 18:8] rather than heap burdens upon each other.” The Savior said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” And President Nelson added: “Charity is the principal characteristic of a true follower of Jesus Christ.” “The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire. … How we speak to and about others … really matters.”
The Savior’s teaching on this is very simple. It’s summed up in the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Put yourself in that person’s place and treat them the way you would want to be treated if you were in their shoes.”