Judging Others

       Judging others has always been a weakness of mine. I have a very critical mind and can see imperfections very easily. The problem is that I see imperfections in other people very easily as well and often times I've voiced those thoughts to others. This is called judging others with an unrighteous judgment. There is a fine line between when it is okay to make a judgment about some buddy and when you are on righteously judging a person. In management in the corporate world you have to make judgment calls about people. Sometimes even have to talk about those people in a group setting. What I have seen from those that I look up to is that they speak the best that they know about each individual. But at the end of what they share they also include their honest opinion of whether not he or she is able to take the task at hand or be assigned to a certain position. I think the best way to learn how to be a righteous judge is to surround yourself with people that judge righteously. I hope you enjoy the following quotes as I have enjoyed learning from them and what is right when it comes to judging others.

I imagine that every person on earth has been affected in some way by the destructive spirit of contention, resentment, and revenge. Perhaps there are even times when we recognize this spirit in ourselves. When we feel hurt, angry, or envious, it is quite easy to judge other people, often assigning dark motives to their actions in order to justify our own feelings of resentment.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
The Merciful Obtain Mercy
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/the-merciful-obtain-mercy?lang=eng

We live in a world in which many situations require us to make judgments that are often difficult. Yet the Savior gave the commandment to “judge not” our fellowman.1 How can we do this and still exercise good judgment in a world full of deception and corruption? We must judge well when making critical decisions in each phase of our life, such as choosing friends, finding an eternal companion, or choosing an occupation that will allow us to care for our family and serve the Lord. Although the Savior asked us not to judge others, He still expects us to use excellent judgment.
We may often find ourselves making quick judgments about people, which can change or redefine our relationships with them. Often incorrect judgments are made because of limited information or because we do not see beyond that which is immediately in front of us.

Gregory A. Schwitzer
Developing Good Judgment and Not Judging Others
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/developing-good-judgment-and-not-judging-others?lang=eng

We as women can be particularly hard on ourselves. When we compare ourselves to one another, we will always feel inadequate or resentful of others. Sister Patricia T. Holland once said, “The point is, we simply cannot call ourselves Christian and continue to judge one another--or ourselves--so harshly.”3 She goes on to say that there is nothing that is worth us losing our compassion and sisterhood over. We just need to relax and rejoice in our divine differences. We need to realize that we all desire to serve in the kingdom, using our unique talents and gifts in our own ways. Then we can enjoy our sisterhood and our associations and begin to serve.

Bonnie L. Oscarson
Sisterhood: Oh, How We Need Each Other
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/sisterhood-oh-how-we-need-each-other?lang=eng

All are born with the Light of Christ, a guiding influence which permits each person to recognize right from wrong. What we do with that light and how we respond to those promptings to live righteously is part of the test of mortality.
“For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.”8

President Boyd K. Packer
These Things I Know
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/these-things-i-know?lang=eng

Ponder the direct message from an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Elder M. Russell Ballard has counseled us not to judge others. We were reminded that each of us has the privilege to carefully and prayerfully seek the Lord’s will, just for us, regarding life’s challenges. Further, he reminded us that this is God’s plan and it is not our prerogative to alter or tamper with it.

Elaine L. Jack
“Ponder the Path of Thy Feet”
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1993/10/ponder-the-path-of-thy-feet?lang=eng

We need to recognize the hard mortal realities in all of this and must use common sense and guidance by personal revelation. Some will not marry in this life. Some marriages will fail. Some will not have children. Some children will choose not to respond to even the most devoted and careful nurturing by loving parents. In some cases, health and faith may falter. Some who would rather remain at home may have to work. Let us not judge others, because we do not know their situation nor do we know what common sense and personal revelation have led them to do. We do know that throughout mortality, women and men will face challenges and tests of their commitment to God’s plan for them. We need to remember that trials and temptations are an important part of our lives. We should not criticize others for the way they choose to exercise their moral agency when faced with adversity or affliction.

Elder M. Russel Ballard

Equality through Diversity
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1993/10/equality-through-diversity?lang=eng

A third area of distraction that can destroy joy is comparing our talents and blessings with others. The growth in our own talents is the best measure of personal progress. In recent years the concept of “personal best” has become widely accepted. This has great merit. Remember we usually judge others at their best and ourselves at our worst. In the parable of the talents, the servants who received five talents and two talents were praised by the Lord for increasing their talents and told to “enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” The servant who was rebuked was the servant who buried the talent given him. (See Matt. 25:14–30.) Comparing blessings is almost certain to drive out joy. We cannot be grateful and envious at the same time. If we truly want to have the Spirit of the Lord and experience joy and happiness, we should rejoice in our blessings and be grateful. We should especially rejoice in the blessings that are available through the temple.

Elder Quentin L. Cook
Rejoice!
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/10/rejoice?lang=eng

That leads to another principle of unity. It is to speak well of each other. Think of the last time you were asked what you thought about how someone else was doing in your family or in the Church. It happened to me more than once in the past week. Now, there are times we must judge others. Sometimes we are required to pronounce such judgments. But more often we can make a choice. For instance, suppose someone asks you what you think of the new bishop.

As we get better and better at forging unity, we will think of a scripture when we hear that question: “And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.”4
Realizing that you see others in an imperfect light will make you likely to be a little more generous in what you say. In addition to that scripture, you might remember your mother saying--mine did--“If you can’t say anything good about a person, don’t say anything at all.”

President Henry B. Eyring
Our Hearts Knit as One
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/our-hearts-knit-as-one?lang=eng

It needs to be taught and understood that we love and respect all of the people whom Lehi described.8 Remember, it is not up to us to judge. Judgment is the Lord’s.9 President Thomas S. Monson has specifically asked us to have the “courage to refrain from judging others.”10 He has also asked every faithful member to rescue those who have tasted of the gospel fruit and then have fallen away, as well as those who have not yet found the strait and narrow path. We pray that they will hold to the rod and partake of the love of God, which will fill their “soul[s] with exceedingly great joy.”11

Elder Quentin L. Cook

In Tune with the Music of Faith
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/in-tune-with-the-music-of-faith?lang=eng

My earnest prayer is that you will have the courage required to refrain from judging others, the courage to be chaste and virtuous, and the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness. As you do so, you will be “an example of the believers,”21 and your life will be filled with love and peace and joy. May this be so, my beloved young sisters, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, amen.

President Thomas S. Monson
May You Have Courage
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/may-you-have-courage?lang=eng