In a lecture at Chaminade University, Professor Fred Woods spoke of two improbable contemporaries. Father Damien, a Catholic priest, and Jonathan Napela, a Mormon lay minister worked together in the late 1800s under almost barbaric conditions to care for all those banished to Kalaupapa, the leprosy colony on Moloka'i.

As I considered all that could have divided these two men, I was taken by how their compassion for others overshadowed their differences.

Too often religious differences are at the core of conflicts. Values that should engender understanding create animosity. How tragic it is to be blinded to the goodness of others because they may not share our beliefs. Conversely, how enlightening it is when we lower our barriers and see our common good.

Throughout this year, many have turned their attention to the acts of Joseph Smith, the founder and first prophet of the Mormon Church, in commemoration of his 200th birthday.

Smith was born Dec. 23, 1805 "in the stark hills of Vermont ... reared in the backwoods of New York; (he) never looked inside a college or high school," as one historian said. Yet he is the founder of America's fifth-largest denomination, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with 12 million worldwide members. During his 38 years, he was maligned, misunderstood and martyred for his beliefs. Despite all this, his teachings continue to influence millions.

What exactly did he teach that appeals to so many after two centuries? The Library of Congress held a two-day symposium last May on his extensive teachings and writings. But if one had to reduce the volumes to a single sentence, perhaps it would be, he sought to bring people to Christ. In response to a Chicago newspaper editor's inquiry about what the Mormons believed, Smith's reply included 13 beliefs.

The last is enlightening: He noted they believed "in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men."

Surely these are qualities from which all could benefit.

Smith echoed his concern for all people when he said "we are to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow and to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church or in any other, or in no church at all. ..." Not unlike Damien and Napela, Smith taught and practiced benevolence toward all.

We have much to learn from the examples of our predecessors, regardless of race or religion. For when compassion prevails, barriers fall and the good of all becomes our concern.

Norman Evans is a faculty member at Brigham Young University-Hawai'i. Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes written works on faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Articles submitted to The Advertiser may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.