Sisters,
February
tends to turn our thoughts to Love as we celebrate Valentine’s Day.
From cute little Valentine’s Day cards at Elementary School to a
heart-shaped box of chocolates between romantic sweethearts, love tends
to fill our thoughts and actions. The first couple of dictionary
definitions of love are: “a profoundly tender, passionate affection for
another person” and “a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep
affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.” How do we show this deep
affection for one another? The Primary song “Love One Another” refers to
the love that the Lord has for us and how we can and should share that
love with each other, thus showing that we are His disciples.
As
I thought about what I could quickly cover for this month’s thought, I
was drawn to President Monson’s April 2014 General Conference address
“Love—the Essence of the Gospel”. He explains that “love is the very
essence of the gospel and Jesus Christ is our Exemplar. His life was a
legacy of love.” He also states that “There are many attributes which
are manifestations of love, such as kindness, patience, selflessness,
understanding, and forgiveness. In all our associations, these and other
such attributes will help make evident the love in our hearts. Usually
our love will be shown in our day-to-day interactions one with another.
All important will be our ability to recognize someone’s need and then
to respond.”
We
are given opportunities each day to express our love and gratitude to
the people around us. Obviously, our family should be of utmost
importance in that display whether it is a smile and a hug or acts of
kindness and service. We must make sure that our family takes high
priority in our daily schedule. Make each moment count.
Each
of us struggle to meet the demands that are thrown upon us, but don’t
forget the love that the Lord has for us. Turn to him. Lean on him. Let
his love envelope you as nothing else can. Let him display His love for
you as His special child, then use that love that you have felt to share
with others. Love is something that you can gain more of by giving it
away. How you choose to show that love is up to you and your specific
talents and abilities that the Lord has blessed you with. ONLY YOU have
the combination of talents that you have. YOU make a special difference
in someone’s life. Use your talents to share your love with the world by
serving others.
May
we remember that as we go about our daily lives that everyone around us
is a child of God and He loves them dearly and wants them to return and
live with Him too. We must find ways to help in any way to lift and
love another, so that we can return and live with Him knowing that we
have done our best. That our love for all of His children has lifted us
and them and brought the Pure Love of Christ into our lives and let us
feel an inkling of the Love that our Father in Heaven and His Beloved
Son have for us.
Please
know that WE love you! We feel of the love that our Heavenly Father and
the Stake Presidency have for you as well. May you be blessed in your
service to feel that love.
Love,
