Love Thy Neighbour
Ian S. Ardern, of the Seventy
Elder Ian S. Ardern invites listeners to join him on an African journey to witness how Church members are responding to Christ's commandment to "love thy neighbor" by serving those in need.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Topics
Understanding the Commandment to Love Thy Neighbour
Elder Ardern discusses Christ's commandment to "love thy neighbour" and how it is exemplified by Church members in Africa. He emphasizes the importance of this commandment in our everyday lives.
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).Key Points:
- Loving our neighbour means being compassionate and kind.
- Christ's commandment to love our neighbour is a universal commandment that applies to all people, regardless of their circumstances.
- Think about a time when you showed love to a neighbour. How did it make you feel?
- Reflect on an experience where someone showed love to you as their neighbour. How did it impact you?
- Consider a situation in your community where you could show love to a neighbour. What action could you take?
The Power of Compassion
Elder Ardern speaks about compassion as an attribute of Christ, and how it can bring about change and healing. He encourages us to show compassion to others, regardless of our own abilities or resources.
Compassion is an attribute of Christ. It is born of love for others and knows no boundaries.
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.Key Points:
- Compassion is a Christlike attribute that we should strive to develop.
- Even small acts of compassion can make a big difference.
- Reflect on a time when you showed compassion to someone. How did it impact them and you?
- Think about a time when someone showed you compassion. How did it make you feel?
- Consider a situation where you could show compassion. What action could you take?
The Role of Church Humanitarian Efforts
Elder Ardern discusses the Church's humanitarian efforts, especially in areas affected by natural disasters and disease. He highlights the importance of these efforts in showing love to our neighbours and fulfilling Christ's commandment.
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.
It is unlikely you will know the recipients of your time, dollars, and dimes, but compassion does not require us to know them; it only requires us to love them.Key Points:
- The Church's humanitarian efforts are a manifestation of the commandment to love our neighbours.
- Contributions to these efforts, whether large or small, can make a significant difference.
- Think about a time when you contributed to a humanitarian effort. How did it make you feel?
- Reflect on an experience where you benefited from a humanitarian effort. How did it impact you?
- Consider a situation where you could contribute to a humanitarian effort. What action could you take?
The Joy of Serving Others
Elder Ardern testifies of the joy and peace that comes from serving others and responding to the call to look after the well-being of others. He encourages us to show love through our actions and to bear one another's burdens.
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.
May we be forever looking to the well-being of others and show in word and deed that we “are willing to bear one another’s burdens” (Mosiah 18:8), to “bind up the broken-hearted” (Doctrine and Covenants 138:42), and to keep Christ’s second great commandment to “love thy neighbour” (Mark 12:31).Key Points:
- Serving others brings joy, peace, humility, and love.
- It is our duty to look after the well-being of others and to bear their burdens.
- Reflect on a time when you served someone else. How did it make you feel?
- Think about a time when someone served you. How did it impact you?
- Consider a situation where you could serve someone else. What action could you take?
