The Measure of Our Love

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, once said, "The measure of our love is the measure of the greatness of our souls."

I want to share some things I have learned about love from some remarkable individuals.  These exceptional people have been my mission companions.  And according to Elder Wirthlin's definition, they are some of the greatest people I know because they are so filled with love for God and their fellowman.

My companion in the Missionary Training Center has a very fun-loving spirit.  We spent a majority of our time in the MTC laughing.  We had so much (maybe too much) fun with each other and the missionaries in our district and zone.  Her fun-loving nature not only brought lots of laughs and good times, but it also brought a spirit of unity.

 

My trainer in the mission field is one of the most amazing people I know.  She taught me (and continues to teach me) about pure love.  She is so sincere and genuine.  People are so drawn to her because she radiates the pure love of Christ.

My second transfer in the mission field my trainer and I received another companion.  This companion taught me a lot about demonstrating love.  When she loves and cares about someone she just can't help but put her arm around them and give them a hug.

 

My first transfer in Mayfield, KY I served with an individual who has become one of my best friends.  She loves people so deeply and fiercely.  And she has this way of making you feel like you are her favorite person in the world.  (I am thoroughly convinced I was her favorite mission companion.)

 

My second companion in Mayfield taught me a lot about unconditional love.  She put up with a lot from me as I had many different personal struggles.  Even though there were times she had no reason to love me, she did and would serve me in many little ways.

  

My third companion in Mayfield is one of the most accepting peole I know.  She has this inherent understanding of the worth of a soul and loves and accepts people despite their flaws and shortcomings (especially her companion's).

 

 

I served one transfer in McMinnville, TN and my companion there taught me about the loyalty and commitment that comes when you love others.  She is always concerned about the welfare of others and would do absolutely anything for those she loves. 

My first companion here in Manchester has this amazing ability to make connections with people, whether it's figuring out a mutual friend or a common interest.  She cares so much about people that she remembers little details of their lives.

 

My current companion is the type of person that everyone wants to be around because she always has something nice to say and a compliment to give.  It's so easy for her to love people because it's so easy for her to see the good in everyone.  She's like BYU TV, she sees the good in the world.

I have learned so much from these incredible individuals.  I truly consider them sisters.  I am inspired by their example of keeping the commandment to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" and to "love thy neighbour as thyself."  (see Matthew 22:37-39)

May each of us "pray unto the Father will all energy of heart, that [we] may be filled with this love." (Moroni 7:48)

Sacrifice Brings Forth the Blessings of Heaven

In the hymn "Praise to the Man" there is a line that just absolutely rings true to me.  It says, "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven." 

I have pondered on that statement many times and I want to share a conclusion I have come to about the role of sacrifice in our lives by linking a few scriptures together.

In a revelation received by Joseph Smith, the Lord stated that "eternal life...is the greatest of all the gifts of God." (D&C 14:7) 

We could rephrase the line from that hymn and say that sacrifice brings forth eternal life.  But what is eternal life?

The Savior in His great intercessory prayer said, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent." (John 17:3)  Eternal life is knowing God and Jesus Christ.

The conclusion or realization I have come to is that if we want to really know our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ there are sacrifices we must make.  And when we consider the great and atoning sacrifice our Savior made for us, how could we expect to do anything less?

What are we willing to sacrifice in order to know God?  In the Book of Mormon we read the account of a man who so desperately wanted to know God that he said in his humble prayer, "O God...I will give away all my sins to know thee."  (Alma 22:18)

Are we willing to give away our sins to truly know God?
Are we willing to submit our will to His will? 
What will we do to show our Heavenly Father that we are completely devoted to Him?

These are questions I have asked of myself many times.  And I have decided that I want it to always be completely and utterly evident that my Heavenly Father and my Savior come first in my life. 

So if that requires me to spend 18 months away from my family and miss my twin sister's wedding and my older brother's wedding and the birth of my sister's first child, I'll do it.  I will sacrifice those things and whatever else the Lord may ask of me because I want and need to know Him better.

There are sacrifices that will be required of each one of us that will seemingly demand our all.  But when we remember that those sacrifices are the price we pay to know God, suddenly it feels more like an offering than a sacrifice.  We want to "come unto Christ, the Holy One of Israel, ...and offer [our] whole souls as an offering unto him." (Omni 1:26)

Our sacrifices, or our offerings, will bring forth the blessings of heaven.  And I can't think of any greater blessing than truly knowing God our Father and Jesus Christ.