Sabbath Devotional :: Love One Another — But How?

Last Sunday, I was re-reading the April 2020 General Conference talks. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has always been one of my favorite speakers. His talk: A Perfect Brightness of Hope was special. This section stood out to me:

“We pray for those who have lost loved ones in this modern plague, as well as for those who are currently infected or at risk. We certainly pray for those who are giving such magnificent health care. When we have conquered this — and we will — may we be equally committed to freeing the world from the virus of hunger, freeing neighborhoods and nations from the virus of poverty. May we hope for schools where students are taught — not terrified they will be shot — and for the gift of personal dignity for every child of God, unmarred by any form of racial, ethnic, or religious prejudice.”

He goes on to say, “Undergirding all of this is our relentless hope for greater devotion to the two greatest of all commandments: to love God by keeping His counsel and to love our neighbors by showing kindness and compassion, patience and forgiveness. These two divine directives are still — and forever will be — the only real hope we have for giving our children a better world than the one they now know.”

As I read those hopes of his, it struck me how close these desires are to what so many here at MWEG want. We want so much for this COVID to be over! I have lost three people I know to it. I have had a dear aunt in her eighties survive a three week stay in the hospital. She is on the mend back home, at this writing. Seeing those losses mount up daily, I am saddened, and, like you, I am prayerful that its reach comes no closer.

I have seen the wonderful sisters of MWEG combine forces across the country and even internationally to combat hunger and the impact of poverty. Sisters who help the migrant or those fleeing violence in their own country and help combat the suspicion and fear as they seek to settle (if they are allowed) here.

Parents are wrestling with homeschool, hybrid programs, or day-to-day schooling choices. We have all been faced with the horror of school violence, and heed calls to rid our country of this plague.

So many of you have joined your voices and feet in marching or protesting against racial disharmony and brutality by anybody. Despite having to get out of our “comfort zones,” we strive to alleviate suffering where we can.

What is it based on? LOVING ONE ANOTHER. As we do that, we are Loving GOD.

Loving one another is not easy, as we march or write letters or cast opposition voices to those who don’t recognize the pain they are causing. So how do we accomplish this “loving one another?” I discussed this with family members. How do we deal with those who say or do things that are hurtful? Here are some of the answers I received:

“Look at yourself; what can I do or say better? Can I see their side?”

“Is it worth bearing a grudge when you have been the offended person? If so, this can hurt me long-term.”

“Do I really want to say or do something that could be irreparable?”

“Perhaps that person you know personally should not be one you develop an online relationship with, because it is much more important to maintain the personal relationship over the online one.”

Loving one another is not something that is instantaneous; it may only be had a step at a time. I have some long-term friends who have diverged with me over political and social views. It could be easy to just write them off. But when I talk to them personally or in private, hearts soften and the association continues. Other times, a quiet détente is needed. Then there are yet others that have been lost. But like Elder Holland said, I have hope that a need on either side will find each of us willing to reach out hands in aid.

I recently felt a little overwhelmed and saddened at occurrences in the world. I happened to be on Facebook and saw where a former Institute member was feeding people out of her home stores because of Hurricane Laura. We differ in political views, but I have encouraged her in her nursing studies while raising her family. I am proud of what she has accomplished. The Spirit inspired me to say, “Can I help you financially?” She was relieved someone had asked, because she had been afraid to ask for help. So we talked privately. I told her I asked publicly to spark action from others. It worked. There are so many who wanted to DO SOMETHING but didn’t know how. She helped so many that the local news station and newspaper had reporters interviewing her. More people assisted her in ministering to anyone who needed a hot meal, because many homes were without power. It also brought attention to the Church that was positive. More importantly, on a personal level, our relationship was strengthened.

Loving one another will be different for each of us. I am buoyed when I see so many who reach out to alleviate suffering of any kind. Some will be small gestures, as well as large ones.

I believe as we examine our relationships, we can engage using some our MWEG Principles of Peacemaking. We can succeed by:

– being courageous

– seeking to unify

– demanding great tolerance for people and none for injustice

– viewing suffering as sacred

– choosing love instead of hate

– believing ultimate peace is not only possible, but sure

I am grateful for such models; they have helped me maintain “my cool” as I remember them. I am grateful for the Plan of Salvation. I am grateful for our General Leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, that provides instruction and solace, knowing that this life is not the end. It is a preparation for the eternities. Our Savior gave his mortal life for our salvation, as he accomplished the miracle of the Atonement. I will continue to grow. I will choose love over hate.