love

A person filled with the love of God is not content with blessing their family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.

Doctrine and Covenants 121:41: No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of [authority], only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned.

Love is the only answer, as Thomas Merton points out, to the searching question asked by Gandhi when he said: “How can he who thinks he possesses absolute truth be fraternal?”

John 13:34-35 (NRSV): I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Hebrews 13:2 (KJV): Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Learn to listen, and listen to learn from neighbors. Repeatedly the Lord has said, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor.” Opportunities to listen to those of diverse religious or political persuasion can promote tolerance and learning. And a good listener will listen to a person’s sentiments as well . . . The wise listen to learn from neighbors.

D&C 121:41: No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned.”

I love that man better who swears a stream as long as my arm, yet deals justice to his neighbors and mercifully deals his substance to the poor, than the smooth-faced hypocrite. I do not want you to think that I’m very righteous, for I am not. There was one good man, and his name was Jesus.