Being kind to others is part of God's plan and can become the sweet honey in the garden of life, said Betty Jo N. Jepsen, first counselor in the Primary general presidency.

When the honey bee is busy gathering nectar, it, in turn, pollinates the blossoms to help them fulfill the measure of their creation, she said at the annual General Women's Meeting Sept. 29."Now, you and I both know that the honeybee gathers nectar purely by instinct. He just can't help it. Nevertheless, he also goes about doing much good. We can learn from the honeybee. We can develop our own sort of "kindness instinct" by consciously seeking opportunities to act kindly.

"I like the word `kindness' because being kind implies action," Sister Jepsen explained. "It seems like something you and I can do. Kindness can be shown in so many ways. My favorite examples of kindness come from learning about what Jesus did."

He spent His ministry searching for the weary, the sick, the poor, and the lonely that He might show kindness toward them.

President Ezra Taft Benson also has taught members about being kind, she said. "President Benson tells us that a person who is kind is sympathetic and gentle with others, is considerate of others' feelings, courteous in his or her behavior, and has a helpful nature.

"I truly believe we can, each in our own ways, practice being kind within our own families, among our friends, in our schools and communities," Sister Jepsen declared.

"We are made kind by being kind. No act of kindness is ever wasted. You cannot do a kindness too soon. Acting kindly can change the giver and the receiver for good."

There may be times when people excuse themselves for unkindness because they are not feeling their best or their mood is not just right, she said.

"It is easy to act kindly toward others when things are going well in our lives. But perhaps the real measure of our kindness comes if we can be so when we are tired, disappointed, or suffering because of an unkind deed done to us. Are we kind when all is not well?

"The Merrie Miss motto is, `I will follow God's plan for me.' God's plan for us includes our being kind," she said.

"My challenge to you is to search for opportunities to be kind. The promise is that you will be happy. I pray each of us will develop a desire to be kind to ourselves and others and continually act upon it in the name of Jesus Christ."