Inspired by President Russell M. Nelson’s New Year’s counsel, Professor David Whippy shared being kind and compassionate with other’s differences is key to overcoming judgment and contention.
At a BYU–Hawaii devotional on Jan. 25, Whippy, an associate professor in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts, said students must learn to see others as the Lord sees them, as children of God.
“Additionally, recognizing the Lord knows my strengths, weaknesses and shortcomings and still loves me means I must exhibit this type of love for others as well.”
In intercultural peacebuilding, culture entails how to navigate differences, Whippy said in an interview before his speech. He said one of the goals of the peacebuilding major is to help people understand regardless of what differences there are, understanding them is a worthwhile pursuit.
Intercultural and interpersonal
Whippy shared two ways he views Nelson’s counsel to be compassionate and understanding: interculturally and interpersonally. BYUH is home to a diverse group of nationalities and backgrounds, which can sometimes lead to inevitable cultural misunderstandings, explained Whippy.
For example, he said some people may have “met the hard glare from aunty for not taking off [their] slippers at the door” or been “shushed by a Hawaiian friend when [they] start whistling at night.”
According to Guide to the Scriptures, Whippy added the term compassion is defined as “to suffer with” and embodies sympathy, empathy and mercy. Quoting Elder Ulisses Soares’s talk from the October 2021 General Conference, he said compassion is synonymous with “mourning with those who mourn and having empathy, mercy and kindness.”
Kristen Staker, a sophomore business major from Tooele, Utah, said she loves knowing a person doesn’t need to suffer alone but can share their burden with others. She added people are more compassionate than someone might think and are willing to be supportive when someone is vulnerable with them.
Elder Marion G. Romney, shared Whippy in his speech, defined BYUH’s cultural diversity in 1972 as a “living laboratory” for people from diverse backgrounds to “develop appreciation, tolerance and esteem for one another.” For 65 years, Whippy continued, the BYUH campus has fostered a sense of “cultural fluency” which has been strengthened in an environment built on the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Whippy shared the word agape from “Strength to Love,” a book by Martin Luther King, is “an overflowing love that seeks nothing in return” and “the love of God operating in the human heart.” He added the scriptures teach readers to practice charity, the pure love of Christ.
He explained what it means to apply agape and develop charity. “Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of others, I must put off the natural man and love them as the Savior would love them. It means looking beyond the outward appearance and looking on the heart.”
Jerameel Recodig, a sophomore from the Philippines majoring in English and hospitality and tourism management, said Whippy taught kindness should permeate people’s thoughts and actions. He added love should not be based on who somebody is or what they do for others but simply because all people have been called by God to love others.
Learning from Mr. Singh
Whippy said he learned the importance of compassion and understanding while attending BYUH and living at Temple View Apartments in 2012 with his then pregnant wife, Taufa Whippy. After his wife told him she was craving lamb curry, Whippy said he biked to the now-closed Fiji Market to purchase food and drinks to feed his family.
A little embarrassed about his bike after seeing some of his classmates, Whippy said the owner, Mr. Singh, offered to drive him back to TVA as he was preparing to bike home. “Before I could insist I was okayBYUH, he had carried my bike into the van, put my curry in the front seat, and shortly after we were on our way back to TVA.”
However, Whippy shared he realized he had forgotten his drinks after he was dropped off. Later that evening, he explained Mr. Singh came by their place to drop off their drinks to them. Whippy added all people have their “own Mr. Singhs,” or people who have shown them compassion and understanding even when it is not expected, in their lives. “These sorts of individuals populate campus and community. Look for them, learn from them and go and do.”
Whippy invited students and faculty members to do their part in building a Zion community by filling their interactions with compassion and understanding. He added showing compassion does not mean people should allow others to constantly take advantage of them.
Whippy shared a quote from BYUH President John S. K. Kauwe in his speech. “Diversity of culture, experience and thought is one of [people’s] greatest strengths.” This strength allows students and faculty at BYUH to establish a foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ together as diverse individuals, added Whippy.
Diversity and learning from one another’s perspectives give students the opportunity for growth, progression and change, said Whippy in his interview. He said people can change their perspective and help others by doing good with what they have learned from their experiences.
At the conclusion of his talk, Whippy invited the audience to act on the promptings they received. Furthermore, he added the Spirit’s promptings are always positive and for the benefit of others. “Compassion and understanding invite action.”