What is Love? Look to Christ!

What is love? This simple phrase only a select few can answer and fewer exhibit. Pop songs over the years have sung of the answer to this question; however, even the greatest chart toppers prove inconclusive. Elder Marvin J. Ashton, a deceased modern day apostle once wrote, "True love is a process. True love requires personal action. Love must be continuing to be real." These qualities point only to two individuals, our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ: true exemplars of what love really means.

We as individuals need love in our lives. Love is vital to our self confidence, moral, and personal stamina. Love comes in many different forms, yet as Elder Ashton above states it; "true love is a process." Love doesn't just happen, love is built by kind words, thoughts, and most important: action. As we share our love with others our capacities to be loved increase. Love truly never ends: if you allow it. 1 John 4:18 (KJV) reads, There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear. 

Sometimes love is a firmness in stance or belief, to not let the world alter how we act or parent. As a child my mother would always make sure I minded my "P's and Q's." I being the absent minded seven year old would groan upon  hearing this statement (as all mothers are used to hearing). Yet mom never budged: I sometimes (alright most of the time), did chores and instruction begrudgingly: yet, I thank Mom for being firm in her parenting. It takes true stamina to not be the popular parent, but the one who loves her children enough to say, "no." One needs to stand for truth, righteousness, and morals: knowledge of this originates in the home.

The question arises: "what if I did not come from a loving background?" The more I go door to door preaching of Jesus Christ's restored gospel, I see this problems as a reoccurring commonality. The Savior's love remedies this atrocity. God is our loving Heavenly Father: He always reaches out to everyone with open arms. He recognizes our struggles and will provide an escape route even in the most unfathomable circumstances if we allow Him. He provided a savior: His son Jesus Christ to atone (or pay for), all the mistakes you, I, and the entire world will ever commit. He watched in agony as His only begotten son suffered in the garden of Gethsemane for all the pains and sins of the world. He and Jesus Christ know in entirety what we struggle with, both past and present. Despite what may have occurred, you can always give your heart back to God and let the power of Christ heal you.

True love exhibits itself only in emulating Jesus Christ. Think of your actions and dealings with others, ask yourself: "am I following the example of Jesus Christ in the way that I interact with people and myself?" A "yes" or "no" answer always suffices. When we follow the Son, we become more like the Father, our Father. I think of all that my Savior sacrificed for me: the young Mormon missionary preaching to the lambs of southern Illinois. You can let the light of Christ transform you. How will you serve God and your fellow brethren? These are questions everyone needs to ask in diligent prayer and follow the prompting received. I know as you do this, Christ's light will radiate from you and that others will come unto the truth by your loving action and adhering to God's word. True love is acting in the way of the Father.