R.e.s.p.e.c.t

Hi all,
I felt a strong need to write my feelings about respect, today. It seems like everywhere we turn someone is blaring loud, vulgar, and degrading things.Even social media networks are being used as hateful platforms for people to disrespect and mock each others religious and cultural beliefs. The headlines tell stories of broken homes, broken hearts, and the failing facets of home and society. The mistakes of others are all we hear about. Does anyone ever turn of their TV/computer and feel like crying? I know that I do. You all know that I am a member of the LDS church. My beliefs have taught me to respect everyone around me, despite our differences, WHATEVER they may be. This is a challenge that all members of the church face daily, especially when popular beliefs are increasingly polarized from our own. But I have chosen to look at each person as a child of God, because I believe that we are all part of the same great heritage. This means that while we all have our differences, we each deserve mutual love and respect from one another. I don't want to stand on a soap box and tell you what I think I am doing right, or what society is doing wrong. But I DO KNOW that when respect is given, it will be returned somewhere down the road. It's not our job to judge one another, it's our responsibility to love and RESPECT one another. We may not agree, we may stand on different sides of the field, etc. But I believe that there is a Father in Heaven who is fair, who knows us all perfectly, and who will stand with us when we accept his invitation to love everyone the way that Christ did. This is my mission in life; to love the way that the Savior taught us to. So please, whatever our differences may be, choose to show compassion and love instead of cynicism and hate. I won't judge you, because that's not my job. But if you let me, I will show love to everyone that I can.