Bridging the Two Great Commandments
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Topics
Understanding the Analogy of the Suspension Bridge
Elder Stevenson uses the analogy of a suspension bridge to illustrate the interdependence of the two great commandments. The two towers of the bridge represent the two commandments, and the bridge cannot function without both towers being equally strong.
Bridges take us places we otherwise would not be able to go.
For the Golden Gate Bridge to perform its designed function, both towers are equally strong and with equal power to bear the weight of the suspension cables, the roadway, and the traffic crossing the bridge.Key Points:
- The two towers of a suspension bridge represent the two great commandments.
- Both towers need to be equally strong for the bridge to function.
- Think of an instance where you had to balance two important aspects of your life.
- Have you ever seen a suspension bridge? How does this analogy resonate with you?
- Can you think of other analogies that represent the balance between loving God and loving our neighbors?
Living the First Commandment: Loving God
Elder Stevenson discusses the first commandment, which is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. He emphasizes that this love is not abstract, but is demonstrated through our daily actions and obedience to God's commandments.
To love the Lord centers first on your heart—your very nature.
Loving the Lord is often measured in small daily deeds, footsteps on the covenant path.
Loving the Lord leads to eternal happiness!Key Points:
- Loving God involves our whole being: heart, soul, and mind.
- We show our love for God through our actions and obedience.
- Loving God leads to eternal happiness.
- Reflect on ways you show your love for God in your daily life.
- Can you recall a time when your love for God was tested?
- How has your obedience to God's commandments shown your love for Him?
Living the Second Commandment: Loving our Neighbors
Elder Stevenson addresses the second commandment, to love our neighbors as ourselves. He emphasizes that this love extends to all of God's children and is demonstrated through acts of kindness and service.
Love of the Lord is not complete if we neglect our neighbors.
To love your neighbor includes Christlike deeds of kindness and service.
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.Key Points:
- Love for our neighbors is an extension of our love for God.
- We demonstrate love for our neighbors through acts of kindness and service.
- Loving our neighbors is equally important as loving God.
- Reflect on a time when you extended love to a neighbor in need.
- How have acts of service helped you to love your neighbors more?
- Can you think of a time when someone showed Christlike love towards you?
Maintaining Balance Between the Two Commandments
Elder Stevenson emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between loving God and loving our neighbors. He warns against focusing too much on one commandment at the expense of the other, as this could lead to spiritual imbalance.
There is an important interdependency between loving the Lord and loving one another.
Either of these imbalances could cause your spiritual bridge to tip or even fall.
Our zeal to keep this second commandment must not cause us to forget the first, to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind.Key Points:
- There is an interdependency between loving God and loving our neighbors.
- Focusing too much on one commandment at the expense of the other can lead to spiritual imbalance.
- We must remember to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind while also loving our neighbors.
- Reflect on a time when you had to balance your focus between the two commandments.
- Have you ever experienced a spiritual imbalance? How did you correct it?
- How do you maintain a balance between loving God and loving your neighbors?
Building our Personal Spiritual Bridge
Elder Stevenson encourages us to begin building our own spiritual bridge by setting realistic goals to understand the Lord's gospel more and to judge others less. He emphasizes that our spiritual bridge is built with hearts and minds devoted to Heavenly Father and His Son, as well as to our brothers and sisters.
How do we build our own bridge of faith and devotion—erecting tall bridge towers of both loving God and loving our neighbors? Well, we just start.
We build our personal spiritual bridge with hearts and minds devoted to Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Son as well as to our brothers and sisters with whom we work, play, and live.Key Points:
- We can start building our spiritual bridge by setting realistic goals.
- Our spiritual bridge is built with hearts and minds devoted to God and His Son, as well as to our brothers and sisters.
- What goals could you set to better understand the Lord's gospel?
- How can you show more love to your brothers and sisters?
- Reflect on the progress you have made in building your own spiritual bridge.
