How Do I Love Thee?

by Elder Jeffery R. Holland


"How Do I Love Thee?" was originally given by Elder Holland at a BYU devotional address in February 2000. 

I just discovered it this evening - listed one of the TOP 10 speeches of all time on speeches.byu.edu. 

It was listed with my other two two favorite talks by him "Cast Not Away Therefore Thy Confidence" and "The Inconvenient Messiah," so I figured I had to watch it. 

And wow I'm so glad I did!

 

Amazing. Just amazing.

It's for married and single people alike. There is so much wisdom about love, marriage and relationships in this 37 minute talk!

Do yourself a favor and watch it!

Or click here to download the PDF & mp3 file, so you can read & listen to it at your leisure.

[Highlights]

There were several parts that stood out to me, about how we to love truly and how to look for the type of person that will not belittle us, or hurt us when we give ourselves, vulnerably, to another person. 

"In a dating and courtship relationship, I would not have you spend five minutes with someone who belittles you, who is constantly critical of you, who is cruel at your expense and may even call it humor. Life is tough enough without having the person who is supposed to love you leading the assault on your self-esteem, your sense of dignity, your confidence, and your joy. In this person's care you deserve to feel physically safe and emotionally secure."

He also made reference to the Shakespeare and lessons we can learn there - about love. 

He went on to end with one of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon, in Moroni that speaks of Discipleship, and he answers a question I have thought about from time to time as I have dated. 

"In a final injunction to all his disciples for all time, He said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you" (John 13:34; emphasis added). Of course such Christlike staying power in romance and marriage requires more than any of us really have. It requires something more, an endowment from heaven. Remember Mormon's promise: that such love—the love we each yearn for and cling to—is "bestowed" upon 'true followers of Christ.'

"You want capability, safety, and security in dating and romance, in married life and eternity? Be a true disciple of Jesus. Be a genuine, committed, word-and-deed Latter-day Saint. Believe that your faith has everything to do with your romance, because it does. You separate dating from discipleship at your peril. Or, to phrase that more positively, Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, is the only lamp by which you can successfully see the path of love and happiness for you and for your sweetheart. How should I love thee? As He does, for that way 'never faileth'."

"The Tender Mercies of the Lord"

by Elder David A. Bednar

~ April 2005 General Conference ~

“But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance” (1 Ne. 1:20).

“The Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ.”

I love this talk.

It is my belief, that as we pay more attention and are sensitive to the whispering's of the Spirit - we will recognize these tender mercies in our lives more frequently.

Click here to read this talk. 

"The Labourers in the Vineyard"

By Elder Jeffery R. Holland 

I love Elder Holland! 

It's as if every talk he gives speaks to my soul.

I'm sure you feel the same way! Am I right? 

This one, given in April 2012 General Conference, really helped me understand this parable in the scriptures in a way I never had before! 

What insights & what comfort!

Here is just ONE of my favorite parts...

"My beloved brothers and sisters, what happened in this story at 9:00 or noon or 3:00 is swept up in the grandeur of the universally generous payment at the end of the day. The formula of faith is to hold on, work on, see it through, and let the distress of earlier hours—real or imagined—fall away in the abundance of the final reward. Don’t dwell on old issues or grievances—not toward yourself nor your neighbor nor even, I might add, toward this true and living Church. The majesty of your life, of your neighbor’s life, and of the gospel of Jesus Christ will be made manifest at the last day, even if such majesty is not always recognized by everyone in the early going. So don’t hyperventilate about something that happened at 9:00 in the morning when the grace of God is trying to reward you at 6:00 in the evening—whatever your labor arrangements have been through the day.

"We consume such precious emotional and spiritual capital clinging tenaciously to the memory of a discordant note we struck in a childhood piano recital, or something a spouse said or did 20 years ago that we are determined to hold over his or her head for another 20, or an incident in Church history that proved no more or less than that mortals will always struggle to measure up to the immortal hopes placed before them. Even if one of those grievances did not originate with you, it can end with you. And what a reward there will be for that contribution when the Lord of the vineyard looks you in the eye and accounts are settled at the end of our earthly day."

   

"Even if you feel you are the lost and last laborer of the eleventh hour, the Lord of the vineyard still stands beckoning. “Come boldly [to] the throne of grace,”³ and fall at the feet of the Holy One of Israel. Come and feast “without money and without price”⁴ at the table of the Lord... 

"I testify of the renewing power of God’s love and the miracle of His grace. His concern is for the faith at which you finally arrive, not the hour of the day in which you got there." 

What did you feel after seeing this talk? Did you have any new insights?

 Let me know in the comments below!

PS: If you want to read this talk, or just listen or download the mp3, click here. 

"Five Small Experiences"

by Elder Stephan A. West

In a district meeting our Zone Leader shared this talk that almost made me cry.

While we may never see the fruits of our labors or know of the difference we make in people's lives, a difference is made nevertheless, and lives are changed forever!

A mind opening talk of encouragement and optimism!

To download Audio click here!

Click here is read "Five Small Experiences"

"The Great and Wonderful Love"

by Elder Anthony D. Perkins of the Seventy

Do you judge yourself harshly? Are you a perfectionist or just need some encouragement? This talk is one I often refer to and reminds me of the love of God, our Heavenly Father for all his children, especially for those who sin, whom He calls out f0r us to repent! 

I first heard this talk in Oct. 2006 at General Conference and it impacted me, but it hit home harder right as I was about to go on mission when it was taught in a Relief Society lesson and then again in the MTC our teacher read it on a day I felt especially inadequate. This has become one of my favorite talks and one I shared often!

My favorite lines from this talk:

"Only the voice of Satan will cause you to feel of no value. In contrast, the Holy Ghost will cause you to feel 'godly sorrow' unto repentance in a manner that fills you with hope of positive change." 

" I testify of Heavenly Father, who in great and wonderful love reaches out to each of His children. I bear witness of Jesus Christ, who is 'mighty to save' us from our inadequacies, imperfections, and sins. I bear testimony of the Holy Ghost, who will accompany the imperfect yet penitent soul. To you faithful and worthy Saints who struggle with latter-day snares of the devil." - Elder Anthony D. Perkins

To read click here: The Great and Wonderful Love