Judge Righteous Judgment

"Judge not, that ye be not judged." (Matthew 7:1)

This phrase from the Savior's teachings in the Sermon on the Mount is often quoted and discussed.  Joseph Smith refined the thought in his inspired revision of the verse:

"Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged; but judge righteous judgment."

This expansion is consistent with the Savior's teachings in other places, particularly John 7:24:

"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."

As we try to learn the difference between unrighteous and righteous forms of judgment, that insight is helpful.  Judging "according to the appearance" of an action or incident is often unrighteous.  Similarly, the Lord counseled an ancient prophet, "...the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).  How do we get beyond making judgment based on appearance?  How can we be sure to judge righteously?

Our natural tendency is to make evaluations and decisions based on what we see or perceive in individuals and situations around us.  Often that's a necessary part of how we deal with the world — prioritizing, judging, choosing how to react and interact.  But sometimes, we make mistakes in those judgments that can have serious implications.

I've come to believe that some of the greatest challenges in personal interactions can result from this problem of "hasty judgment."  We hear words or see an action, and quickly assume we understand the history, motivation, or thoughts that led to the action.  We are judging on appearance, not allowing either our reason or the Spirit to lead us to what might be a different story.

A key to judging "righteous judgment"

I believe there is great benefit in learning to pause, particularly when something seems unusual, unexpected, or inconsistent, and ask a few simple questions:

- What ELSE might be the reason?

- What ELSE might be the explanation?

I am discovering in my life, perhaps later than I should have, that this is an invaluable way to avoid "unrighteous judgment" of those around me.

Let me share a few simple, everyday examples to illustrate the point.

Incident:	Unrighteous judgment:	What ELSE might be the reason:
A family comes in late to a meeting	How inconsiderate.  Can’t they plan and organize to be better prepared?	The mother is struggling to adjust to getting the children ready on her own since her husband is now in the bishopric. They had car trouble that delayed them. They struggle with a child who doesn't want to come and needs to be persuaded each week.
A waitress in a restaurant is morose and sullen	What a sourpuss – I’m not going to tip her much.	She is struggling with overwhelming personal challenges. She’s dealing with an abusive boss.
A man falls asleep during a meeting	He should learn to sleep at night so he can pay attention.	He was up all night helping a neighbor with a serious problem. He has a sleep disorder.
A woman is staring at a man	She is inappropriately obsessed with him.	He reminds her of her brother from whom she is estranged, and she is pondering how to ask forgiveness.
Someone is driving fast and somewhat reckless	Crazy teenagers; maybe the driver is drunk.	They are rushing to the hospital to be with a loved one who is critically injured.
A woman has a noisy child in the grocery store	Can’t she see how rude and disturbing that is, to let the child run wild?	The child has behavioral problems. The woman is preoccupied with a personal tragedy.
People get up and leave early from a crowded meeting	They just want to rush out and beat the traffic.	They have to travel several hours and can’t afford a delay in departure.

An interesting thing happens when you start training yourself to ask, “What ELSE might be the reason?”  Of course, it is sometimes the case that the obvious reason is the right one.  But as you consider other possibilities, a subtle change occurs in YOU.  You become more patient and understanding, more open-minded, and — the main key — less judgmental.  You learn that righteous judging isn't just getting the right answer; it's going through the process in a righteous way.

Moroni and Pahoran

One of the most fascinating stories of the Book of Mormon is recorded in the later chapters of Alma.  It's one of those frequent times of conflict between the Nephites and the Lamanites.  Captain Moroni, one of the most noble and faithful men of all Nephite history (see Alma 48:11-13, 17), is struggling.  His army is outmatched, poorly supplied, suffering casualties.  He isn't getting the help and reinforcement he had been promised.  Defeat, and destruction or captivity, seem almost inevitable.

In his frustration, he writes a letter to Pahoran, the governor and chief judge (holding both political and religious influence).  This document, recorded in Alma 60, is a scathing, sarcastic, challenging, threatening message of reproof and rebuke.  Moroni accuses Pahoran and his associates of "sit[ting] upon your thrones in a state of thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you" — among other charges of indolence, selfishness, and gluttony.  He threatens to come and pull down the government because of their selfish inaction.

But Moroni was wrong.  Moroni, noble Moroni, judged unrighteous judgment.  Based on the fact that he was not getting supplies and reinforcement, he apparently quickly concluded that the first explanation he thought of must be the reason!  He assumed the leaders were selfish, gluttonous, and neglectful.

Had Moroni stopped to ask, "What ELSE might be the explanation? What ELSE might the reason for the lack of support?" — he might have written a more sensitive letter. He assumed that he knew what was going on. He judged Pahoran's heart based on limited evidence.  [To be fair and to apply our own principle, we should acknowledge that perhaps Moroni was given erroneous information that led him to make the judgment and write the letter...]

After reading Moroni’s letter in Alma 60, it's easy to imagine how a "natural man" might have responded:  How dare you talk that way to me?  Do you have any idea what I'm dealing with back here?  You ungrateful, thoughtless man, if you only knew....

Chapter 61 records Pahoran's response.  His words are kind, encouraging, and supportive.  The nobility of his soul is almost astonishing.  He doesn't accuse or berate Moroni; he simply explains his own challenges, and invites cooperation in solving the mutual challenges they face.  His reply is gentle and forgiving.  What a great lesson in understanding and perspective!

We are fortunate that this incident was recorded for us in the record.  Mormon, in later editing his sources and compiling the record that would become The Book of Mormon, did not choose to "gloss over" the story in order to protect the reputation of a great man.  He included it, with the full text of the letters.  We are shown a perfect example of the easiness of falling into a trap; the nobility of forgiveness when someone judges unrighteously; and the reality of the challenge that even great and noble men face to "judge righteous judgment."

Spencer W. Kimball and Peter

As an example of the right way to apply this principle, consider the tender, thoughtful address titled "Peter, My Brother" given by Elder Spencer W. Kimball at a BYU devotional in 1971, a few years before he became president of the Church.

Elder Kimball described the kinship he felt with Peter, as apostles of the Savior, and how uneasy he felt to read criticisms of the ancient apostle in light of events during the Savior's last hours.

Much of the criticism of Simon Peter is centered in his denial of his acquaintance with the Master. This has been labeled “cowardice.” Are we sure of his motive in that recorded denial? ...
Is it possible that there might have been some other reason for Peter’s triple denial?

Elder Kimball applies the principle of "What ELSE might be the reason?" in a very tender way, suggesting a whole series of alternate explanations to the events that most of us never even consider.  It's a touching display of forgiveness and understanding on the part of this gentle modern-day apostle.  He concludes:

I do not pretend to know what Peter’s mental reactions were nor what compelled him to say what he did that terrible night. But in light of his proven bravery, courage, great devotion, and limitless love for the Master, could we not give him the benefit of the doubt and at least forgive him as his Savior seems to have done so fully.

Thank you, beloved Elder Kimball, for your insight, and the example of understanding and forgiveness.
[Listen to a recording of Elder Kimball's devotional address here:  BYU Speeches
A transcript of the talk can be found on this page:  CES Manual ]

Conclusion

One additional insight.  Perhaps the most important aspect of judging righteously is to allow something beyond our own reason and wisdom to help in the process.  The Savior said, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30).  I believe that seeking the will of the Father more consistently and diligently opens us to the inspiration that He would offer us.  As we learn to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, gifts of discernment are given to help in knowing the difference between what's in a heart and what may appear on the surface.  That may be the ultimate manifestation of "righteous judgment."

In our day, the Lord invited us to "live together in love" (D&C 42:45).  Certainly one way we can more nearly approach that ideal is to learn to be forgiving and understanding, and particularly to strive always to "judge righteous judgment" by more often asking, "What ELSE might be the explanation?"  As our heart changes and we learn to judge righteously, in righteous ways, we will feel that increase in love for all — loving as the Savior loves.