Nothing exposes our true selves more than how we treat one another.

The Savior counseled the multitudes to "love your neighbor as yourself." He spent His ministry doing good works, assisting those in dire straits, healing and helping those lost in the throes of sin and frustration. His great works are reflected, however inadequately, by those who choose to take His name upon them.Sometimes in our zeal we may inadvertently hurt or offend those for whom we have some responsibility in our gospel assignments or those with whom we associate. Our intentions may be admirable, but we sometimes may not use the best tact in dealing with others.

In the Church, all should be welcome and treated with love and kindness.

An example of a deliberate attempt by a group to make others feel unwelcome at a worship service appears in the Book of Mormon.

As Alma visits the Zoramites, he finds two totally different groups of people with differing attitudes toward each other. Not only did one group of Zoramites practice an unusual form of worship, but "he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting in their pride." (Alma 31:25.)

These Zoramites treated religion like it was a show and were more interested in "impressing" those around them than they were in serving those in need. In fact, Alma observes: "Now, after the people had all offered up thanks . . . they returned to their homes, never speaking of their God again until they had assembled themselves together again." (Alma 31:23.)

Alma observed that these Zoramites excluded others from their services (Alma 32:2), especially the poorly dressed among them, even though their brethren had helped build the synagogues in which the well-heeled Zoramites worshiped. (Alma 32:5.)

Alma empathized with the second group - those excluded ones - finding them humble, teachable and responsive to his message. He reminded them that they didn't need fancy church buildings or only once-a-week attendance to practice their religion. He counseled them not to focus on the arrogance of the synagogue-attenders, but to seek the blessings of the gospel by repenting of their sins, seeking the mercy of God, enduring to the end and becoming one with the Savior and with each other. (See Alma 32:9-13.)

President Gordon B. Hinckley has observed: "The Lord said, except ye are one, ye are not mine. (See D&C 38:27.) This great unity is the hallmark of the true Church of Christ. It is felt among our people throughout the world. As we are one, we are his." (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 671.) That was the message Alma gave the second group of Zoramites. He found a wealth of opportunity to teach the truths of the gospel to a people who were being mistreated by their peers.

President David O. McKay in the April 1966 general conference said: "The Prophet Joseph Smith was given the divine message: `Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. . . .' (D&C 18:10.) Such is the philosophy expressed by the Redeemer in the seemingly paradoxical statement "he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.' (Matt. 10:39.)

"The meaning of this becomes clear in the light of another passage that says `Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.' (Matt. 25:40.) Just to be associated with men striving toward such an aim is a joy, and to assist them in their quest, an inspiration. If you are true followers of the Savior, you are striving to serve your fellowmen in love."

Perhaps no greater need for understanding and love is manifest than by members reaching out to those who are newly converted to the gospel. The needs of new converts are magnified because - unlike some who have grown up in Latter-day Saint homes and have a rock-solid foundation in the gospel - they have limited experience in the Church. They are making their own way in an unfamiliar world and need guidance and assistance. They need to feel included in the activities of the ward or branch to which they belong. They need nurturing and love.

President Hinckley reminds us: "These converts are not peas in a pod, they are not automobiles on a production line; they are men and women, sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven, into whose hearts have come the truths of the restored gospel. . . . Nobody knows, nobody can predict the consequences of those conversions." (Go Forward With Faith, p. 209.)

We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We have taken His name upon us. Our goal is not to be as the Zoramites, exclusive, arrogant and once-a-week worshipers. Our goal, as Alma taught, is to be instructive, caring and showing forth the Light of Christ in our lives and treating others with love and kindness.