Study Guide for "Love Thy Neighbour"

In this talk, Elder Ian S. Ardern uses his personal experiences from a visit to Uganda to illustrate the importance of Christ's second great commandment to "love thy neighbour". He shares how members of the Church are responding to this commandment through their efforts in humanitarian services. The talk emphasizes the importance of compassion, collaboration, and personal efforts in making a difference in the lives of others.

Before Reading

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

How does Elder Ardern illustrate the importance of "loving thy neighbour"?
What role does compassion play in our efforts to help others?
How can our individual efforts make a difference in the lives of others?
What are some of the ways the Church is responding to humanitarian needs around the world?
How does Elder Ardern connect his experiences in Uganda with the teachings of Christ?

Topics

Understanding the Commandment to Love Thy Neighbour

Elder Ardern emphasizes the importance of understanding and living Christ's commandment to "love thy neighbour". He uses his experiences in Uganda to illustrate the stark realities of poverty and the pressing needs of many people around the world. He encourages members to respond to these needs with love and compassion.

You won’t see any lions, zebras, or elephants, but perhaps, by journey’s end, you will see how thousands of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are responding to Christ’s second great commandment to “love thy neighbour” (Mark 12:31).

Our Saviour’s plea is to “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16; see also verses 14–15).

What does it mean to "love thy neighbour"?
How can we let our light shine before others?
How can we glorify our Father in Heaven through our good works?
How can you show love to your neighbours in your daily life?
What good works can you do to let your light shine before others?
How can you glorify your Heavenly Father through your actions?

Compassion as an Attribute of Christ

Elder Ardern discusses the importance of compassion, which he describes as an attribute of Christ. He uses examples from the scriptures to illustrate Christ's compassion and encourages members to emulate this attribute in their own lives.

Compassion is an attribute of Christ. It is born of love for others and knows no boundaries. Jesus, the Saviour of the world, is the epitome of compassion.

Despite our every effort, you and I won’t heal everyone, but each of us can be the one who can make a difference for good in the life of someone.

What does it mean to have compassion?
How did Christ show compassion during His ministry?
How can we make a difference in the lives of others?
How can you show compassion to those around you?
What actions can you take to make a difference in someone's life?
Reflect on a time when you experienced or showed compassion. How did it impact you or the person involved?

The Church's Humanitarian Efforts

Elder Ardern discusses the Church's humanitarian efforts, which he describes as a response to Christ's commandment to love our neighbours. He shares examples of these efforts and the impact they have on individuals and communities.

Our Church humanitarian efforts find us quickly responding to natural disasters and binding up the world’s widening wounds of disease, hunger, infant mortality, malnutrition, displacement, and the often-unseen wounds of discouragement, disappointment, and despair.

We are equally grateful for your “two pence” or two euros, two pesos, or two shillings that are easing the burden that too many around the world are having to bear.

What are some ways the Church responds to humanitarian needs?
How can our contributions, no matter how small, make a difference in the lives of others?
How can you contribute to the Church's humanitarian efforts?
Reflect on a time when you contributed to a humanitarian effort. How did it impact you and those you helped?

Turning Our Hearts to the Well-being of Others

Elder Ardern emphasizes the importance of turning our hearts to the well-being of others as a way of showing love for God. He shares President Nelson's teachings on this topic and encourages members to respond to the needs of others with love and compassion.

Thank you, President Russell M. Nelson, for reminding us that “when we love God with all our hearts, He turns our hearts to the well-being of others” (“The Second Great Commandment,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 97).

I testify that each of us will have an increase of joy, peace, humility, and love as we respond to President Nelson’s call to turn our hearts to the well-being of others and to Joseph Smith’s plea to “feed the hungry, clothe the naked, provide for the widow, dry up the tear of the orphan, [and] comfort the afflicted, whether in this Church, or any other, or in no church at all, wherever [we find] them” (“Editor’s Reply to a Letter from Richard Savary,” Times and Seasons, Mar. 15, 1842, 732).

What does it mean to turn our hearts to the well-being of others?
How does showing love for others reflect our love for God?
How can you turn your heart to the well-being of others in your daily life?
Reflect on a time when you turned your heart to the well-being of others. How did it impact you and the person involved?