CHAPTER 4
With love of God, when followed with action, comes a love of all mankind and a desire to serve them.
1 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.
2 May I suggest a further requisite in the continuing quest to live happily every hour, every day, every month, and every year of our lives. The golden pathway to happiness is the selfless giving of love--the kind of love that has concern and interest and some measure of charity for every living soul. Love is the direct route to the happiness that would enrich and bless our lives and the lives of others. It means that you show love even to your enemies, “bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you” (Matt. 5:44). In so doing you will be fulfilling the greater commandment to love God Himself and to enjoy His love. You will soar above the ill winds that blow, above the sordid, the self-defeating, and the bitter. You have the promise that “your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things” (D&C 88:67).
3 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
4 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
5 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
6 Most people recognize their faults and want very much to improve; in an atmosphere of love, acceptance, and support, they are able to move toward those goals in their lives. But if they are constantly reminded of their negative traits, never receiving positive reinforcement for good behavior, it becomes almost impossible for them to change.
7 Regardless of the procedure we might use in responding to criticism, there is one principle which overshadows all others. That, of course, is love. Criticism may be one of the greatest obstacles to love, but love is also the greatest tool for overcoming criticism. The message of the gospel is that we should not only have love but that we should create love in the hearts of others. We create love by showing it.
8 We all have struggles, but we all can find an extra minute and a half each day to show love to one of God’s children. It just might make all the difference--even to the one we think we don’t have to worry about.
9 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
10 To be an effective leader or teacher, one must show love and actually feel love for the person he is trying to instruct. No power is as motivating as the power of love. Christ loved everyone--the weak, the sinner, the righteous. Sometimes, the ones who need to be loved most are the ones who seem to deserve it the least. Though we may not appreciate or approve of what someone does, we must still show love for the individual.
11 The greatest commandment, to love God, was not given priority at the expense or exclusion of the second commandment, to love our neighbor. I do not think a sincere love of the Savior is possible without a sincere love of mankind. Neither do I believe it is possible to have sincere love and concern for Church members to the exclusion of the rest of God’s children. Compassion knows no political or religious boundaries. We cannot do everything, but still we must do everything we can.
12 ...the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity they were nothing. Wherefore, if they should have charity they would not suffer the laborer in Zion to perish.
13 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.
14 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
15 Have you noticed how often Church leaders--from President Thomas S. Monson to the Twelve Apostles to local presidencies, bishoprics, and teachers--express their love for those they serve? This love comes from following the example of the Savior. Serving others is the way we show love for them. Perhaps love and service are one and the same. Truly, they are what distinguish us as disciples of Christ.
16 Behold, I speak unto you, and also to all those who have desires to bring forth and establish this work; and no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care.
17 May we begin now, this very day, to express love to all of God’s children, whether they be our family members, our friends, mere acquaintances, or total strangers. As we arise each morning, let us determine to respond with love and kindness to whatever might come our way. Beyond comprehension, my brothers and sisters, is the love of God for us. Because of this love, He sent His Son, who loved us enough to give His life for us, that we might have eternal life. As we come to understand this incomparable gift, our hearts will be filled with love for our Eternal Father, for our Savior, and for all mankind. That such may be so is my earnest prayer in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Younger Elder Brooksby
1-1 John 4:16-19
2-Our Search for Happiness by James E. Faust, October 2000 Liahona
3-1 John 3:23-24
4-1 Peter 1:22
5-Proverbs 17:17
6-Bringing Out the Best in Marriage by Val R. Christensen, October 1981 Liahona
7-Handling Criticism in Home Teaching and Other Situations by Dan Workman, February 1983 Liahona
8-Latter-day Saint Voices, February 2014 Liahona
9-John 13:34-35
10-Leading as the Savior Led by N. Eldon Tanner, January 1978 Liahona
11-Infinite Needs and Finite Resources by Glenn L. Pace, March 1995 Liahona
12-2 Nephi 26:30
13-4 Nephi 1:15-16
14-Galatians 5:13
15-As I Have Loved You by Barbara Thompson, July 2011 Liahona
16-D&C 12:7-8
17-Love-the Essence of the Gospel by Thomas S. Monson, April 2014 General Conference
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