Ready Always / Everyday questions / Friendship

Do you think you’re better than us?

1

The hallway answer

About 15 seconds

“Not at all. I’m definitely not perfect. I make my choices because of what I believe, not to judge anyone. If I ever come off that way, please tell me.”

Then ask them: Did I do something that made it feel like that? I really want to know.
I want the real answer ↓
2

The real answer

About 5 minutes

Jesus was clear: “Judge not, that ye be not judged,” and take the beam out of your own eye first (Matthew 7:1–5). The Topics and Questions page on judging others says only God “who knows each individual’s heart, can make final judgments of individuals.”

For the Strength of Youth says, “All people are your brothers and sisters—including, of course, people who are different from you or disagree with you.” It asks youth to lead out in treating “people of all races, religions, and any other groups with love and respect.”

President Russell M. Nelson put it this way in 2023: “One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people.” Living your standards and loving your friends aren’t opposites. The best answer to this question is usually how you treat people the next day.

Scriptures to know. Tap to read.

Matthew 7:1-5Judge not; the beam in your own eye
1Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Read in New Testament, Connected →
John 13:34-35By this shall all men know ye are my disciples
34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Read in New Testament, Connected →
Moroni 7:45-47Charity is the pure love of Christ
45And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 46Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— 47But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Read in Book of Mormon, Connected →
3

Go deeper

Research room

What’s behind the question

This question usually comes from hurt. Maybe a member said something judgmental, or saying no to things felt like rejection. It’s worth taking seriously.

OfficialTopics and Questions: Judging Others ↗OfficialFor the Strength of Youth: Love God, love your neighbor ↗OfficialPresident Russell M. Nelson, “Peacemakers Needed” (April 2023) ↗

Source labels: Official = published by the Church. Scripture = the standard works. Faithful scholarship = independent Latter-day Saint researchers. Helpful, but not official.

4

For me

Think it through
  1. Is there anyone I’ve made to feel judged, even by accident?
  2. How can I hold my standards and still be the friend people want around?
  3. What would it look like to love like the Savior this week?
Act in faithWhat do I already know and believe here?
Eternal perspectiveHow does God’s plan change how I see this?
Good sourcesWho could I ask: a parent, a leader, the scriptures?

Notes stay on this page while it’s open and aren’t saved or sent anywhere.

5

Practice this one

Pick a reply

Friends also ask

Does your church hate gay people?Are you guys even Christian?Isn’t your church a cult?

Weak Things is an independent site, not an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Answers are written to match the Church’s published teachings, and every answer links to its sources.

← All Ready Always questions · Practice mode · Ask a question