Love Your Enemies

Understanding and Practicing the Teaching of Loving Our Enemies

President Oaks emphasizes the teachings of Jesus Christ about loving our enemies and adversaries. This is a challenging commandment but is essential in following Christ. It requires self-discipline and a willingness to learn from others, even those we disagree with.

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:43–44).

Loving our enemies and our adversaries is not easy. "Most of us have not reached that stage of … love and forgiveness," President Gordon B. Hinckley observed, adding, "It requires a self-discipline almost greater than we are capable of."

• What did Jesus Christ teach about loving our enemies?
• Why is it difficult to love our enemies and adversaries?
• How does President Hinckley describe the challenge of loving our enemies?
• How can you apply the principle of loving your enemies in your daily life?
• Can you recall a time when you found it difficult to love an adversary? How did you handle it?
• What steps can you take to cultivate love and forgiveness towards those you disagree with?

Balancing Divine Commandments with Man-Made Laws

President Oaks discusses the importance of balancing divine commandments with man-made laws, using Jesus Christ's example. He emphasizes the need to live peacefully under civil authority while also following God's laws. This balance helps us to love our adversaries and enemies.

How do we keep these divine commandments in a world where we are also subject to the laws of man? Fortunately, we have the Savior’s own example of how to balance His eternal laws with the practicalities of man-made laws.

"Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s" (Luke 20:25).

• What does it mean to "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s"?
• How can we balance obeying man-made laws with following divine commandments?
• What role does peaceful living play in keeping divine commandments?
• How have you balanced following divine commandments with obeying man-made laws in your life?
• What challenges have you faced in maintaining this balance?
• What steps can you take to better balance these two responsibilities?

Overcoming Anger and Hostility

President Oaks warns against contention and anger, calling them tools of the devil. He emphasizes the importance of avoiding anger and hostility, especially towards those we disagree with, as a step towards loving our adversaries.

The Savior’s teaching not to "contend with anger" is a good first step. The devil is the father of contention, and it is he who tempts men to contend with anger.

President Thomas S. Monson taught that anger is "Satan’s tool," for "to be angry is to yield to the influence of Satan. No one can make us angry. It is our choice."

• What are the dangers of contention and anger according to the Savior and President Monson?
• How does anger affect our ability to love our enemies and adversaries?
• What does it mean that "no one can make us angry. It is our choice"?
• Can you recall a time when you felt anger towards someone? How did you handle it?
• What strategies can you employ to avoid contention and anger?
• How can overcoming anger help you to better love your enemies?

Promoting Love and Understanding

President Oaks discusses the power of love and understanding, and how they can transform relationships. He highlights the teachings of various prophets about love and its potential to unite diverse people and eliminate hatred, bigotry, and violence.

An even greater help in learning to love our adversaries and our enemies is to seek to understand the power of love.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that "it is a time-honored adage that love begets love. Let us pour forth love—show forth our kindness unto all mankind."

President Russell M. Nelson has urged us to "expand our circle of love to embrace the whole human family."

• What is the "power of love" according to President Oaks?
• How do the teachings of Prophet Joseph Smith and President Nelson emphasize the importance of love?
• How can love help in understanding and relating to people of different cultures or beliefs?
• How can you better show forth love and kindness to all mankind?
• In what ways can you expand your circle of love to embrace more people?
• Can you recall an instance when love transformed a hostile or contentious relationship in your life?

Eliminating Racism and Upholding Lawful Protests

President Oaks addresses the issue of racism and the importance of peaceful protests. He emphasizes the need for improvements in attitudes and laws to root out racism. He also warns against the destructive nature of violent protests and the importance of respecting the law.

In public actions and in our personal attitudes, we have had racism and related grievances. As citizens and as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we must do better to help root out racism.

Protesters have no right to destroy, deface, or steal property or to undermine the government’s legitimate police powers.

• What is President Oaks" stance on racism and how should members of the Church respond to it?
• What is the difference between peaceful protests and violent ones?
• Why is it important to respect the law when expressing grievances?
• What can you do to help eliminate racism in your community and within yourself?
• How can you support peaceful protests and discourage violent ones?
• What steps can you take to ensure your actions respect the law while advocating for change?