"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering." (Colossians 3:12)

"Kindness" comes from a root that means both to know and to beget, hence kindred. This is also the root for gentle, genuine and genial. The earliest definition of kindness is "natural affection rising from a near relationship or kinship" (Oxford English Dictionary). An aspect of kindness, then, is to treat all people as though they are our kin or kindred.

More formally, kindness is defined as a quality or habit of being kind; a kind nature or disposition. Kindness also has the sense of a feeling of tenderness or fondness; affection, love, friendship (OED).

The Greek word that is generally translated into kindness means serviceable, gentle, pleasant, good, gracious or goodness of heart.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul teaches that we must be "kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Paul also teaches us what kindness is not: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice" (Ephesians 4:31-32).

In April 2006 general conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley gave a wonderful priesthood address, "The Need for Greater Kindness" (Ensign, May 2006).

"I wonder why there is so much hatred in the world. (T)here is so much of jealousy, pride, arrogance, and carping criticism; fathers who rise in anger over small, inconsequential things and make wives weep and children fear." President Hinckley notes that racial strife and bigotry among Latter-day Saints is a result of unkindness. "I remind you that no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ."

President Hinckley recounts the story of a young man, not a member of the church, and his experience growing up "in our community." "When he was growing up, some of his LDS associates belittled him, made him feel out of place, and poked fun at him. He came to literally hate this Church and its people." After the young man moved to a new location, he became friends with another young man who, unbeknownst to him was a genuine Latter-day Saint. Because of his new friend's and other Latter-day Saints' many kindnesses to him, this young man eventually joined the church. "This kind of miracle can happen and will happen when there is kindness, respect and love. Why do any of us have to be so mean and unkind to others? … Why is there so much bitterness and animosity? It is not a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Joseph A. Cannon is editor of the Deseret News.

E-MAIL: cannon@desnews.com