Study Guide for "The Second Great Commandment"

In this talk, President Russell M. Nelson shares his experiences of service and love from his travels, emphasizing the importance of the second great commandment: to love our neighbors. He highlights the many ways in which members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are living this commandment through their service and humanitarian efforts around the world.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What is the second great commandment and why is it important?
How does President Nelson illustrate the living of this commandment by members of the Church?
What role does service play in the practice of the second commandment?
How does the Church as an organization help to fulfill this commandment?
What is the relationship between loving God and loving our neighbors?

Topics

Experiences of Service and Love

President Nelson shares personal experiences from his travels, highlighting the love and service of members and friends of the Church. These experiences range from meeting with Muslim leaders in New Zealand, to witnessing the joy of individuals in Argentina who received wheelchairs from Latter-day Saint Charities, to receiving a touching letter from a young woman.

We extended our sympathy to these brothers of another faith and reaffirmed our mutual commitment to religious freedom.

We were inspired as they expressed joy-filled gratitude for their newfound mobility.

Mary’s words touched me deeply, revealing not only her great spirit but also the consecration of her mother and father.

What common theme can you identify in the experiences shared by President Nelson?
How do these experiences reflect the practice of the second great commandment?
What can we learn from these experiences about loving our neighbors?
How can you apply the examples of service and love shared by President Nelson in your own life?
What opportunities do you have to serve and show love to others in your community?

Humanitarian Efforts of the Church

President Nelson discusses the extensive humanitarian efforts of the Church, which include providing aid to those in need regardless of their affiliations, operating bishops’ storehouses, providing clean water, helping refugees, providing vision care and newborn care, and responding to disasters. He emphasizes that these efforts are made possible by the generosity and service of Church members.

Since that time, Latter-day Saint Charities has provided more than two billion dollars in aid to assist those in need throughout the world.

To help relieve hunger, the Church operates 124 bishops’ storehouses throughout the world.

Much sickness throughout the world is caused because of unclean water. To date, the Church’s humanitarian initiative has helped provide clean water in hundreds of communities in 76 countries.

The Church also helps refugees, whether from civil strife, the ravages of nature, or religious persecution.

The Church is well known for being among the first responders when tragedy strikes.

What are some of the ways in which the Church provides humanitarian aid?
How do these efforts reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ?
Why is it important for the Church and its members to engage in these humanitarian efforts?
How can you contribute to the humanitarian efforts of the Church?
What opportunities do you see in your community to help relieve hunger, provide clean water, help refugees, or respond to disasters?

Living the Second Great Commandment

President Nelson emphasizes that living the second great commandment—loving our neighbors—is key to becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ. He praises Church members for their exemplary lives, generous hearts, and helping hands, and encourages them to continue to seek joy in helping and caring for others.

When we love God with all our hearts, He turns our hearts to the well-being of others in a beautiful, virtuous cycle.

Our greatest joy comes as we help our brothers and sisters, no matter where we live in this wonderful world.

Living that second great commandment is the key to becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to live the second great commandment?
How does loving God relate to loving our neighbors?
Why is living the second great commandment key to becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ?
How can you strive to live the second great commandment more fully in your life?
What specific actions can you take to show love to your neighbors?
How have you experienced joy in helping and caring for others?