We have been instructed by the Savior to “Be ye perfect even as your Father in Heaven is perfect”—an admonition that was an objective, one not meant for this life, but rather, it was an eternal objective for each of us. The Father’s perfection, justice and power are all directed toward assisting His children to become like Him. As He stated: “For behold this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” His work and glory is directed toward serving ‘others’ (you and I) and our welfare. That should be our primary objective as well.
The prophet Joseph Smith added to that by saying; “God himself, finding he was in the midst of spirits and glory, because he was more intelligent, saw proper to institute laws whereby the rest could have a privilege to advance like Himself.” The idea that we should, like the Father, place the welfare of others first was a significant admonition as evidenced by the Savior; “But Jesus called them (his disciples) unto him, and said, Ye know the princes of the gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you; but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your servant.” (Matthew 20:25-27) I have always been impressed with one of the greatest kings that ever walked the earth, King Benjamin. Before his death King Benjamin addressing his people stated; “I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear me, or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a mortal man. But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen by this people, and consecrated by my father, and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this people; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me. I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you; Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you—And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day. Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day. Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God. And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings (others) ye are only in the service of your God. (Mosiah 2:10-17) Could we find another King in man’s history (ancient or modern) who could claim the same record of service to his people as did King Benjamin? The rule for the majority would be as stated in the Doctrine and Covenants; “We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Hence many are called, but few are chosen. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood (or civil authority), only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile.” (D & C 121:29-42) To my knowledge there is no formal law called the ‘law of others.’ It was a term coined by the late Professor Gordon T. Allred, who wrote one of my favorite church-oriented books entitled, “If a Man Die,” a book that I have read several times because of Gordon’s unique ability to express his thoughts and bring great quotes together in one place. There is no doubt that the rule or ‘law of others’ exists based on the information provided above. Serving others, especially those we call our ancestors, those who cannot serve themselves should be a primary goal of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “That which goes on in the House of the Lord, and which must be preceded by research, comes nearer to the spirit of the sacrifice of the Lord than any other activity of which I know. Why? Because it is done by those who give freely of time and substance, without an expectation of thanks or reward, to do for others that which they cannot do themselves.”