Not Judging Others

Grandpa Robison teaches the story of the importance of not judging.

Many years ago, my family lived in Bozeman, Montana where I went to high school. Our father, Grandpa Robison used to stop at a truck stop to purchase a newspaper on his way into work each morning.

One day he saw a member of the bishopric, Brother Petitt, sitting at the counter in the truckstop drinking what Grandpa Robison could have assumed to be a cup of coffee. Grandpa Robison pretended he did not see Brother Petitt, because he did not want to cause him embarrassment. However, Grandpa Robison was frustrated deep down inside that this man would break the word of wisdom because especially members of bishoprics need to set good examples..

A couple of weeks later, Brother Petitt said "Hey, Brother Robison - I didn't get a chance to speak with you at the truck stop the other day. They have the best postum (a caffeine-free drink) there and I stop there all the time to get my postum. "

My father learned a valuable lesson that day in not assuming that others are in error when you do not know the entire story. Thankfully, he had not told anyone of his concern. That would have been gossiping and he never does that. Deep inside though, he had been bothered that a member of the bishopric would drink coffee. You can imagine his relief when he learned that was not the case.

Another example of the importance of not judging one another comes from the recent General Conference as shared in President Hinckley's talk on anger. He taught us that many make a great fuss of matters of small consequence - the offended or the person judging another. He said we would be much happier if we could brush aside the offending remarks of another person and just go on our way. He continues "grudges, if left to fester, can become serious maladies. Like a painful ailment, they can absorb all of our time and attention."

Guy de Maupassant wrote a story about this. It concerns Monsieur Hauchecome, who on market day went to town. He was afflicted with rheumatism, and as he stumbled along he noticed a piece of string on the ground in front of him. He picked it up and carefully put it in his pocket. He was seen doing so by his enemy, the harness maker. At the same time it was reported to the mayor that a pocketbook containing money had been lost. It was assumed that what Hauchecome had picked up was the pocketbook , and he was accused of taking it. He vehemently denied the charge.

A search of his clothing disclosed only the piece of string, but the slander against him had so troubled him that he became obsessed with it. Wherever he went he bothered to tell people about it. He became such a nuisance that they cried out against him. It sickened him. His mind kept growing weaker and about the end of December he took to his bed. He passed away early in January, and in the ravings of his death agony, he protested his innocence, repeating "A little piece of string--a littel piece of string. See, here it is, Monsieur le Mayor." (http://www.online-literature.com/Maupassant/270/.)

Another story from France is along the same lines: "A poor French woman was walking along the banks of the Seine River. On her stooped shoulders was draped a threadbare shawl. Suddenly she stopped, leaned down, picked up something that sparkled brightly in the sunlight and put it under her shawl.

A gendarme observed her actions and hurried over to her. In a very gruff voice, he said,"let me see what you are hiding under your shawl?"

The old woman drew out of the folds in the shawl a broken peice of glass, saying "It is only a sharp piece of broken glass. I picked it up so some barefoot boy might not step on it and cut his foot."

The policeman was doing his duty, but he was more willing to convict the woman of a misdeed before he could learn that she had acted with the nobility of a caring soul. (Marvin J. Ashton, May 1983 Ensign, p.30)

Questions:

As illustrated in Grandpa Robison's story, what main lessons can we learn? (not judging others, not gossiping, and not doing things that give the appearance to others that we are not living the gospel)

In the story of the "Piece of String" - why is it so important to not make a big deal about small things? (the little things can consume us and prevent us from drawing near unto our Savior)

The story of the French woman walking along the Seine River teaches us what principle about not judging our fellowman? (always assume the best in people)

What is the doctrine - what are the principles - and finally what applications can be learned from this lesson?

Doctrine - eternal truths - eternal life could be one of the doctrines

Principle - keeping the great commandment to love our neighbor as ourself

Application - don't obsess over matters of small consequence, don't judge, don't give the appearance of breaking a commandment

Conclusion:

If we judge our fellowman in error, we may be responsible for our delay in straightway heeding the call of our master to come follow Him. As we pursue the teachings of the Savior and as we live gospel principles, we may put aside the hurt and delay in happiness that may be caused by the people around us.