There seem to be some well-intentioned individuals today trying to replace The Golden Rule with a so-called Platinum Rule. Let me begin by saying that The Golden Rule is, in and of itself, perfect. ...No embellishment nor improvement needed!
As if the would-be embellishers are attempting to improve upon something devised by those who've gone before, their efforts are stacked against One Whom possesses all knowledge and wisdom, even the Light and Truth of Eternity: Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ was not (is not) merely some self-appointed "wise man" who came upon enlightenment during his mortal probation then decided to share it with the world. Instead, He is the Son of God, Who, under the direction of God the Father, created the earth and all things in it to fulfill the plan of the Father.
During the meridian of time, Jesus Christ was physically born into mortality to set the example of how to live and how to prepare to return to dwell with God once again. While here in this probationary state, He took upon Himself the sins of the world in the Garden of Gethesmane then laid down life His on the cross at Golgotha. This was His Atonement, of which prophets through millennia had prophesied.
The Savior paid the price for our exhaltation. All we need do is follow Him. His prophets and apostles teach us the particulars of what we need to do to receive His free gift, namely; to put our faith in Him, repent of our sins, and strive to implement His teachings found in His word--the holy scriptures.
Jesus Christ's wisdom in mortality exceeded all. After His resurrection, Jesus stated that "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth," therefore adding upon what He had already demonstrated in mortality through His matchless wisdom and command of the elements and spiritual entities. He is part of the Godhead and is our Advocate with the Father. Nothing we say or do can improve upon His work! His teachings and works shall stand for all eternity.
The Golden Rule states:
"Therefore all things ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
This short passage of scripture speaks volumes to the universal needs of all humans:
We all need to be loved.
We all need to be accepted.
We all need to belong.
We all need to be supported and encouraged at times in our life.
We all need food and shelter.
Sometimes we need the assistance of others.
...And, we all need a sense of accomplishment--whether small or great.
In essence, The Golden Rule teaches us to love others, accept them, help them feel included and give them a sense of belonging when possible. We should support and encourage others. We should assist others in meeting their temporal needs if we are in a position to do so. This means: If the recipient is able to care for their own needs, our assistance should be geared toward helping them to help themselves (e.g. Help them find a job.), which gives them a sense of accomplishment. If they are not able to meet their own needs, we should try to assist with their immediate needs and help them to find long-term solutions, including finding out what resources are available.
It is important to remember that these things are to be done in wisdom so as to not deplete our ourselves in the process of helping others. If we run before we can walk, when it comes to helping others, we may lose the power to help ourselves, and therefore become unable to help anybody, including ourselves and our own. The key is self-sufficiency when and where possible. For this empowers individuals to assist others, provides meaning in one’s own life, and secures a person's dignity.
The so-called Platinum Rule gets into the meeting of peoples wants and desires. This is a very subjective thing and is where it can become a bit messy. A person may want and desire things that are not appropriate for them. Or maybe they are not affordable. Who is to say?
If we place ourselves in the position of giving people what they want, then there is no limit to what we may subject ourselves to. Besides, if a person wants something very much, they can work toward getting it themselves. They will then gain appreciation for what they attained, plus they will build character in the process.
If it is not possible for a person to get the thing they desire, and it is affordable and appropriate, then if others who care for them want to help them get what they want, and they happen to be in a position to help them obtain it, they can do so if they so choose.
However, to impose on the masses a moral law that requires people to give others what they arbitrarily want, is to impose an undue hardship on the givers of society. Such a rule can never have a universal appeal because it lacks the vision and wisdom of the golden standard found in The Golden Rule.
At the end of the day, one can rest assured that The Golden Rule encompasses the wisdom of He Who knows what has worked and what hasn't worked through eternity! When and where possible, instead of giving a person what they want--say, a fish, for example--it is wiser to teach a person how to fish!
The former is a short-sighted temporal law, which gives the receiver food for a day. The latter is a far-reaching spiritual law, which provides the recipient with the tools to attain food for the rest of their life. This sustains the recipient's spiritual integrity and inspires them to support themselves to the extent possible AND to reach out to assist others when they are able.