Many of us have the mote and beam problem (see Matt…
““Many of us have the mote and beam problem (see Matt. 7:3–5)—that is, we can easily see the faults of others, but not our own. So before we start holding others up to scrutiny to see if they are worthy of us, maybe we ought to work first on becoming a “right person” for someone else. Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles offered this counsel: “If the choice is between reforming other Church members [including fiancés, spouses, and children] or ourselves, is there really any question about where we should begin? The key is to have our eyes wide open to our own faults and partially closed to the faults of others—not the other way around! The imperfections of others never release us from the need to work on our own shortcomings.” 5 Therefore, when we focus on finding the right person, we should also focus on becoming the right person for someone else. The strengths we bring to a marriage will undoubtedly contribute to the success of the marriage.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
We tend to judge others’ faults while ignoring our own, so we should first improve ourselves before critiquing partners, especially in marriage.
In simple terms: Focus on fixing yourself before judging others in relationships.
Key Takeaway
Improve self first, then seek partnership.
Themes
self‑improvement
marriage
humility
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
spiritual
Type
Church members:1
Eyes wide open:1
Finding the right person:1
Marriage:1
Right person:1
Ur Eyes:0
Finding Right:0
Focus Right:0
Shortcomings Focus:1
When to use this quote
- marriage counseling
- personal reflection
- church teaching
- family life
Key Concepts
spiritual growth
personal responsibility
relationship dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you recognize your own blind spots?
- What steps help you become the right partner?
A Different Perspective
Self‑improvement alone may not address systemic issues in a marriage.