So Judgemental

I've heard it said that we can never judge others. In defense of wrong actions or behavior many refer to Christ's admonition to "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matt 7:1). In this context the citer is saying, don't judge my actions or yours will be judged. While partially true, the admonition to 'judge not' is incomplete and translated correctly by latter-day prophet Joseph Smith to say.

JST Matt. 7: 1-2 Now these are the words which Jesus taught his disciples that they should say unto the people. Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged: but judge righteous judgment.

It makes more sense too. We know that we must make judgements daily and the light of Christ is given that we may make correct judgements. How can we choose good friends to spend time with, without making a character judgement? How can we weed out negative influences and improve ourselves without judging ourselves and others. The incomplete translation of this verse would lead one to believe that everyone who calls you out is a hypocrite. That isn't true. In my life some of the most important course corrections have come from the friends and family telling me my behavior wasn't right. The most recent admonition from a friend was to be less crude. You know who you are.

The Book of Mormon further elaborates how we are to judge. Warning! Long quote. (Moroni 7:12-19)

12 Wherefore, all things which are ^agood cometh of God; and that which is ^bevil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to ^csin, and to do that which is evil continually.

13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do ^agood continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and ^benticeth to do ^cgood, and to love God, and to serve him, is ^dinspired of God.

14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is ^aevil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.

15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to ^ajudge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.

16 For behold, the ^aSpirit of Christ is given to every ^bman, that he may ^cknow 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.

17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do ^aevil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the ^alight by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same ^bjudgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.

19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the ^alight of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a ^bchild of Christ.

So basically judge away! But do it right because we will ALL be judged eventually. How we judge will determine who we become and who we become will determine how God judges us.