Speak Kindly

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youth walking

Purpose

Our words can lift others or hurt them. What do your words do? Positive, loving words build others up and help them—and you—feel the Lord’s love.

Speak kindly and avoid gossip and bullying.

Make a list of kind, positive things you could say to those around you. Post this list where you can see it every day as a reminder.
Look for examples in the scriptures of how the Savior spoke to those around Him. How did His words teach, lift, and help others? Write in your journal the impressions you receive about how you can follow the Savior’s example.
Your thoughts affect your words. Do you have unkind thoughts about someone? Every time you have an unkind thought about someone, think of something positive about the person instead. You’ll be more likely to speak kindly, and you might even find a new friend!
How do you and your friends talk about others? Set an example of using kind words. For example, if your friends start gossiping about someone, find a kind way to stand up for that person or change the subject. You could even ask your friends to join you in your goal to speak kindly about others.
Bullying can happen when people speak unkindly to and about others. If you know someone who is being bullied, become a friend to them. If necessary, report the bullying to a trusted adult.
Create your own goal.