The Savior was teaching some of His disciples when a man identified only as "a certain lawyer" stood and asked Him, "Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

The Savior responded to the question with two questions of His own: "What is written in the law? how readest thou?"

The lawyer recited the law: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself."

"Thou hast answered right," the Savior said. "This do, and thou shalt live."

But the lawyer wasn't satisfied with that. Knowing that there were strict rules and beliefs among the Jews regarding association with those not of the faith, he pressed the Lord for more information, hoping to trap Him in controversy: "And who is my neighbour?" he asked.

It was time, once again, to teach. Jesus drew upon one of His favorite and most effective teaching techniques: a parable, perhaps one of the most-beloved and well-known parables in all of Christendom.

The parable is well known: a man from Jerusalem was on his way to Jericho and fell among thieves and was left half dead. A certain priest passed by on the other side; neither did a Levite stop to help. Then Jesus taught:

"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

"And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him."

Then Jesus asked the lawyer one more question: "Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among thieves?"

And the lawyer replied: "He that shewed mercy on him."

Then Jesus delivered His final instruction to the lawyer — and to all who have read the parable of the good Samaritan: "Go, and do thou likewise." (See Luke 10:25—37.)

Have you ever wondered why the Savior chose to make the hero of this story a Samaritan? There was considerable antipathy between the Jews and the Samaritans at the time of Christ. Under normal circumstances, these two groups avoided association with each other. It would still be a good, instructive parable if the man who fell among thieves had been rescued by a brother Jew.

His deliberate use of Jews and Samaritans clearly teaches that we are all neighbors and that we should love, esteem, respect, and serve one another despite our deepest differences — including religious, political, and cultural differences.

That instruction continues today to be part of the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In enumerating the key doctrines of the restored Church, Joseph Smith said, while "we claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience," we also "allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may." (Articles of Faith 1:11.)

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we understand that we are perceived by some to be "a peculiar people." (1 Peter 2:9.) Our doctrines and beliefs are important to us. We embrace them and cherish them. We must understand, however, that not everyone is going to accept our doctrine of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For the most part, our neighbors not of our faith are good, honorable people — every bit as good and honorable as we strive to be.

Nearly 25 years ago, the First Presidency declared: "Our message . . . is one of special love and concern for the eternal welfare of all men and women, regardless of religious belief, race, or nationality, knowing that we are truly brothers and sisters because we are sons and daughters of the same Eternal Father." (First Presidency statement, 15 Feb. 1978.)

That is what Jesus taught His disciples — including "a certain lawyer" — through the parable of the good Samaritan. And that is what He is teaching us today through living prophets and apostles. Treat one another with respect and civility. Jesus is the Christ, our Savior. He expects all of us to follow His admonition to be better neighbors.

This viewpoint is drawn from Elder M. Russell Ballard's October 2001 general conference address.