GP: MGSP Study Courtesy Courtesy; Missionary Gospel Study Program (1988) "Courtesy is a natural outgrowth of the refining influence of the Spirit of the Lord. It presupposes the presence of kindness and an inherent consideration for the comfort and well-being of others" (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 166) "It is a time-honored adage that love begets love. Let us pour forth love-show forth our kindness unto all mankind, and the Lord will reward us with everlasting increase.. "Nothing is so much calculated to lead people to forsake sin as to take them by the hand, and watch over them with tenderness. When persons manifest the least kindness and love to me, O what power it has over my mind, while the opposite course has a tendency to harrow up all the harsh feelings and depress the human mind." (Joseph Smith, in History of the Church, 5:23-24, 517). Resources: The SafetyZone explains the importance of courtesy,
Defend Beliefs with Courtesy and Respect
Spiritual Courtesy and Consideration
Scriptures:
Mosiah 18:8-10
  "8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;
  9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life
  10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?" 3 Nephi 14:8-12
  "8 For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
  9 Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone?
  10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
  11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
  12 Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets." D&C 4:3-6
  "3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
  4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
  5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
  6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly 4/6e">kindness, fgodliness, charity, humility, diligence." Genesis 18:3-8
  "3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
  4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant.And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
  6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
  7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
  8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat." Ecclesiastes 11:1-8
  "1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
  2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
  3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.
  4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
  5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
  6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
  7 ¶ Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
  8 But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many.All that cometh is vanity." Matthew 7:12"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, o ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." John 13:4-9
  "4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
  5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
  6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
  7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
  8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet.Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
  9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." Hebrews 12:1-3
  "1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
  2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
  3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." James 3:17-18
  "17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
  18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." 1 Peter 3:8-9
  "8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
  9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing" Articles of Faith 1:13"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul - We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things.If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."

Topical Guide:
                            Brotherhood and Sisterhood
                            Charity
                            Comfort
                            Courtesy
                            Fellowshipping
                            Friendship
                            Gentle
                            Gentleness
                            Gracious
                            Hospitality
                            Kindness
                            Love
                            Neighbor
                            Pity Bible Dictionary:
                                Hospitality Guide to the Scriptures:
                                             Brethren, Brother
                                             Charity
                                             Compassion
                                             Fellowship
                                             Love
                                             Merciful, Mercy
                                             Sister
                                             Service
                                             Unity
                                             Welfare
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index page Gospel Principles Comments and Resources -------------------------------------------------------------
Moroni 10:4-5
  "4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
  5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

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