Bridging the Two Great Commandments
Gary E. Stevenson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Stevenson illustrates and emphasizes the importance of loving God and loving others equally.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Begin the lesson by asking the class to share their favorite bridges and why they like them. Draw parallels between these physical bridges and the "spiritual bridge" Elder Stevenson discusses in his talk.
- Start the lesson with a discussion about the two great commandments. Ask the class members to share their thoughts on how these commandments are interconnected.
- Open the lesson by asking the class to share experiences where they felt they were able to successfully balance love for God and love for their neighbors. Use this as a segue into Elder Stevenson's talk.
Topics
Understanding the Two Great Commandments
Elder Stevenson uses the analogy of a suspension bridge to explain the two great commandments: to love God and to love our neighbors. He emphasizes that these two commandments are interconnected and equally important, much like the two towers of a suspension bridge.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
- How can we better understand the connection between loving God and loving our neighbors?
- What are some ways we can demonstrate love for God in our daily lives?
- How does our love for others reflect our love for God?
- Why is it important to balance our love for God and our love for our neighbors?
- Can you share an experience where you felt you were able to balance love for God and love for your neighbors?
Loving the Lord with All Our Heart, Soul, and Mind
Elder Stevenson explains that loving the Lord involves our entire being. It includes prayer, scripture study, temple worship, obedience to commandments, and living a virtuous and chaste life.
To love the Lord centers first on your heart—your very nature. The Lord asks that you love with all your soul—your entire consecrated being—and finally, to love with all your mind—your intelligence and intellect. Love for God is not limited or finite. It is infinite and eternal.
- What does it mean to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind?
- How can we demonstrate this love in our daily lives?
- What challenges might we face in loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind, and how can we overcome them?
- How has your love for the Lord influenced your decisions and actions?
- Can you share an experience where you felt your love for the Lord grow?
Loving Our Neighbors as Ourselves
Elder Stevenson emphasizes that loving our neighbors is a critical part of our love for God. It involves reaching out to all of God's children, regardless of their circumstances, and offering kindness and service.
Love of the Lord is not complete if we neglect our neighbors. This outward love includes all of God’s children without regard to gender, social class, race, sexuality, income, age, or ethnicity. We seek out those who are hurt and broken, the marginalized, for “all are alike unto God.”
- What does it mean to love our neighbors as ourselves?
- How can we better demonstrate love for our neighbors?
- What challenges might we face in loving our neighbors, and how can we overcome them?
- How has your love for your neighbors influenced your decisions and actions?
- Can you share an experience where you felt your love for your neighbors grow?
Balancing Love for God and Love for Neighbors
Elder Stevenson warns against the dangers of imbalances in our love for God and our love for our neighbors. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between these two commandments in order to strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ.
Our ability to follow Jesus Christ depends upon our strength and power to live the first and second commandments with balance and equal devotion to both.
- Why is it important to balance our love for God and our love for our neighbors?
- What are some potential dangers of focusing too much on one commandment at the expense of the other?
- How can we ensure that we are maintaining a balance in our love for God and our love for our neighbors?
- Can you share an experience where you felt you were able to achieve a balance in your love for God and your love for your neighbors?
- How has balancing your love for God and your love for your neighbors strengthened your faith in Jesus Christ?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How can we apply the principles Elder Stevenson taught in his talk in our daily lives?
- What are some practical ways we can demonstrate love for God and love for our neighbors?
- How can we help others understand the importance of balancing love for God and love for our neighbors?
- What are some ways we can improve our love for God?
- What are some ways we can improve our love for our neighbors?
- How has your understanding of the two great commandments changed after listening to Elder Stevenson's talk?
- What are some examples from the scriptures of individuals who balanced their love for God and their love for their neighbors?
- How does the Atonement of Jesus Christ help us to better love God and our neighbors?
- What are some ways our love for God and our love for our neighbors can influence our families and communities?
- What role does the Holy Ghost play in helping us to love God and our neighbors?
