爱 - Love

“Our Saviors love shines like the sun, with perfect light.” (Hymn #113)

 

I believe that in an ever darkening world, the light on “love” continues to shine ever brighter. Have you ever had one of those days where you were feeling a little down, and someone doing something as simple as just smiling at you made your day? Maybe you were just talking with your parents on the phone. You didn’t talk about anything particularly important, but you just knew they cared about you unconditionally. Our love is manifest through our actions. Words by themselves are hollow, unless combined with meaningful gestures of sincere care and admiration.

I remember as a missionary, teaching individuals who had tried for years to overcome various addictions. Their will-power alone was never enough. It was only through the power of love, manifest through the atonement of Jesus Christ, that individuals were able to break the chains of their captivity. Love reaches beyond human understanding. Somehow it is not only infinite, but intimate. The love of Christ is so powerful, at times it’s almost tangible. It reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution? ...Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life…shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)

Christ’s entire life was love. His days were spent in the service of others! Christ desires that we have this same love; a “love unfeigned” (2 Corinthians 6:6). A love that isn’t fake or pretended, but originates in the very depths of the soul. Having this love creates a desire to serve God with all that we are. In a way, being willing to lose our lives for the Savior isn’t as important as really being willing to LIVE our lives for the Savior. The first is just an appendix to the second.

During one of my classes, we discussed the question: “什么是富有？”(What is prosperous?) Several ideas were presented: 钱 (money), 身体健康 (health), 亲情 (family relationships), 友情 (friendships), 爱情 (intimate relationships), and 时间 (time). When you think about it, aren’t all these things connected to ‘love’. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (3 Nephi 13:21) What do I value most in my life?

Note from District Conference:

“What has to take place before we can be called the Lord’s friends?

Pattern:

1)      Become a disciple.

2)      Become His servant.

3)      Become His witness.

--->Friend

4)      Become joint heirs with Christ.”

-President Anthony D. Perkins

     (Asia Area President)