President Johnson Teaches That Daily Acts of Kindness Are Vital to Society

Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints taught a Utah audience about the importance of being kind on Friday, April 10, 2026.

“Our kind acts, one a day over a lifetime, are vital to the well-being of our families, community and nation,” President Johnson told over 150 educators, business, government and religious leaders during the 2026 Kindness Summit at Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Practicing Kindness

“Kindness is deeply personal. For me, daily acts of kindness are the way that I develop a compassionate and kind heart,” she said. “Kindness is a fundamental characteristic of the noblest of women and men.”

President Johnson practiced law in her professional career before her calling to the Relief Society General Presidency, which oversees more than 8 million Latter-day Saint women.

“In a profession where conflict is often the very reason for the work, acts of kindness became a steady guide,” she said. “I was practicing law with an eye toward changing, improving and perfecting. … My efforts, though imperfect, were sufficient because I was practicing.”

Kindness at Home

“I believe that children are naturally kind and can influence adults to be kind,” President Johnson shared. “I also know that children can be taught bigotry and hate.”

President Johnson reflected on the kindness her parents modeled as she grew up. She helped her mother prepare food for others and visit those in need.

“We picked grapes every year, and she made the very best grape syrup, which we shared with our neighbors,” she recalled.

She said her father was kind and loved people. She has also observed her children and grandchildren practicing acts of kindness within her family.

“Let us never underestimate the power of children. They are naturally kind. We can invite them to join us in doing one kind act a day, with the hope and expectation that they will become kind adults,” President Johnson said.

Kindness on a Global Scale

The global faith leader said her role in the Relief Society has given her “opportunities to see kindness on a grand and global scale.”

President Johnson shared examples of the Church of Jesus Christ and its members providing relief to those in need, including refugees in Europe. She also discussed the Church’s global initiative to improve the well-being of women and children around the world.

The Caring for Women and Children initiative focuses on the nutrition of children under five, maternal and newborn care, immunizations and education.

“When you bless a child, you have made an investment in the future,” she said.

“In this season of my life and while my current work involves broad organizational efforts to improve conditions generally for women and children around the world, my most important work is to recognize immediate individual needs around me and respond with kindness, patience and love,” President Johnson said.

“It is my hope and my prayer that we will become kind by practicing one kind act a day,” she concluded.

The annual Kindness Summit is organized by the Semnani Family Foundation, which promotes daily acts of kindness to create a more compassionate culture.