In a recent conference talk by President Thomas S Monson he said:
Actually, love is the very essence of the gospel, and Jesus Christ is our Exemplar. His life was a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved. At the end the angry mob took His life. And yet there rings from Golgotha’s hill the words: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”4—a crowning expression in mortality of compassion and love.
It is amazing to me how loving and forgiving the Savior was even to the very end of his life. He could have been upset or angry at how they treated him. But instead he just silently endured what he had to because of his love for us. He was willing to do whatever the Father asked of him in order to save each of us. Then at the very end of his life he chose to ask the Father to forgive those who tormented him all because he loved them perfectly!
I know LOVE is the key to turning hearts that might be down, depressed, discouraged, or feel as if they are a disappointment. By putting your arm around someone who may be struggling is truly doing as the Savior would. Many times he left the 90 and 9 and sought out the one. He left the flock to find the wandering sheep. The Savior's love and compassion for the wandering one would come shining through as he would lead and guide, not force, them back to the fold.
Pres. Monson continues:
Love is expressed in many recognizable ways: a smile, a wave, a kind comment, a compliment. Other expressions may be more subtle, such as showing interest in another’s activities, teaching a principle with kindness and patience, visiting one who is ill or homebound. These words and actions and many others can communicate love.
Love can be shown in many different ways and forms. Everyone is suffering with their own difficulties and challenges. A week ago I was at a baseball game of my sons. I saw a former co-worker of mine come in. I had heard of the health challenges her husband had been going through. I immediately left my warm and comfortable chair and went to sit by her on the cold bleacher. Although it was only about 52 degrees that day I knew I needed to put my arm around her and ask how they were doing. We sat and talked for over 45 minutes. I listened and then expressed to her that I knew exactly what she was going through. By taking the time to talk and listen to her today filled my heart with love and happiness. I know that I would have never been able to know what she was going through if I hadn't had the opportunity to go through it myself. I was so grateful to be able to know how to help someone today!
Later that night I received a message from her expressing her love and concern for my family and just how much my simple task of talking and listening to her meant to her. She told me that I would never know just how much that meant to her.
I have realized through my own trials that sometimes you feel alone and even unloved. I have promised myself that I will always try to seek out the one that is struggling just as the as the Savior did. I have learned first hand that not only do we need the love of our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ but also the love of others to get us through!
My hope is that I can find way to show my love to others in the way they need it most for
"Love Truly Does Heal all Wounds!"
For a complete version of Pres. Monson's talk on "Love-The Essense of the Gospel" go to:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/love-the-essence-of-the-gospel?lang=eng#watch=video
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