One Question is Not Enough
By Susan Law Corpany

In a Sunday School class I attended recently in Springville, Utah, a fellow made an interesting observation that I haven’t stopped thinking about. I would give him credit, but it wasn’t my ward, and all I remember is the nice-looking guy with the curly dark hair. If he reads this, perhaps that compliment will make up for the lack of citation, and he will forgive me if the details aren’t quite right.

He mentioned a situation where two children were fighting over a toy. The mother asked the little boy to remember to ask himself the question, “What would Jesus do?” As a result, he handed the toy back to his sister, but with such a negative attitude accompanying his “righteous” action that she realized that there needed to be a second question. We should not only ask ourselves “What would Jesus do?” but “How would Jesus do it?”

We do not read in the scriptures that Jesus sighed, rolled his eyes, and said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me.”

He did not say, “What a bunch of hypocrites! There aren’t any of you who haven’t sinned.” He quietly stated, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”

If we imagine that our body language is lost on those around us, we are sadly mistaken. If we imagine that our martyrdom does not come through loud and clear, wrong again. If we participate in body but not in spirit, service projects lack the substance they could have.

When we serve with love, an added dimension comes through to the recipient. When we serve with reluctance, resignation, dread or out of sheer duty, it is painfully obvious. If we are like a donkey that has to be pushed and prodded into doing what is rightly expected of us, we make the journey difficult for all who travel with us. If we too carefully count the cost, whether in dimes and dollars or hours and minutes, we communicate to those we serve that the price is too high.

I was experiencing a period of extended physical illness when a relative (who shall remain nameless) came in to help clean my house. I was grateful for the help, but I remember that her commentary was less than soothing as I lay in bed throwing up in a plastic bucket.

“Look at how much dust there is on the piano!”

“Oh my, these dishes have been sitting for a while!”

“I can’t believe you all have clothes to wear, there is so much laundry piled up.”

How Would Jesus Do It?

He went about His ministry quietly and without fanfare.

He was without guile.

He treated everyone with respect.

He showed forth compassion.

He treated others with kindness and patience.

He stood unwaveringly for that which was right.

He did not judge harshly or unrighteously.

He was not a respecter of persons. He valued each individual.

So remember not only to ask yourself “What Would Jesus Do?” but “How Would Jesus Do It?” Maybe it will catch on and someone will make the necklace or the t-shirt.