Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself

Ch 2 Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself

Sister Lin taught a great lesson on loving your neighbor.  She reminded us it is the 2nd great commandment.  Who is our neighbor?  Some answers were; 

 Everyone we come in contact with. Anyone we  can really make a difference help or support whether it be family or friends at church, work or school. The Chinese culture believes that you do not cross paths with people by chance.  If you happen to pass someone on the street there is a hidden bond that pulls you together. Another sister said that her mother always taught her when someone cuts you off when driving it's because they need blessings. She tries to send a blessing instead of getting angry.  Another sister said she also believed that when you cross paths it's for a reason. God has allowed that path to cross for a reason something she tries to think of when she runs into some of the same people on a regular basis.

When we think of Gods plan for everybody and the number of people in the world, we only have associations with a limited number of people on earth. Although we may not be able to make a difference with everyone, we can make a difference. We need to remember that we will one day be judged according to how we deal with the people that come into our lives along the way. 

What way can we show love to the people we come across?  Some answers given were; Giving people the benefit of the doubt or looking for the good in people. One sister always is looking for opportunities to open the door or pick up something some one's dropped or help a mother in need when out shopping.  When you look for those opportunities you find that it continues through the day  Be patient and understanding.  One sister shared her experience with a couple of Jehovah Witnesses that came to her door.  They offered her their information and she in turn offered them our pass along cards, which were declined.  She said she could have been offended and sent them away but chose not to and from that has developed a friendly understanding.  They stop by her house every month now and they have an open discussion on what they believe. What a great example in respecting others differences. 

George Albert Smith said,  "Opportunity is offered in every branch and ward and mission field to go about radiating sunshine, developing happiness and lifting up those who are discouraged, and bringing joy and comfort to those who are in distress".

Sister Lin told of a disable man she knew that had been born without a leg.  He talked of charity and the many kind people he'd encountered 

 throughout life. Some however, always stood out as having the spirit of Christ by having the genuine interest in getting to know him. Instead of just walking on after a handshake, they sat down and talked with him, genuinely interested in him and getting to know him better.

The visiting teaching program is designed to help us get to know our neighbors better. We are so busy and don't always have time to get to know the people we sit by in church.  One sister commented that actively trying to love they neighbor changes our nature...George Albert Smith said, "I do not have an enemy that I know of, and there is no one in the world that I have any enmity towards.  All men and all women are my Father's children, and I have sought during my life to observe the wise direction of the Redeemer of mankind--to love my neighbor as myself...You will never know how much I love you.  I have not words to express it.  And I want to feel that way toward every son and every daughter of my Heavenly Father."   When we love our neighbors as ourselves, we don't look at them in any way but love. We don't see weaknesses, poverty or differences. Only love. 

Sister Lin relayed a story her father shared with her.  At one time in their village a neighbor was sent to a labor camp leaving the mother with the children. One of the children became ill and their was no one who could take the child to the hospital so, Aichou's father stepped up and took the child. When he came back from the hospital, this saying came to him:

Food, Spread and Water so it's not empty. If you put the food out the fish will come to the surface and you are able to catch the fish.  In other words, you will be blessed for your service and good deeds. The blessings will come to us when we are reaching out. 

What are the blessings we receive? Some responses were; It lifts your spirit. When we do for others we experience what Heavenly Father feels when he is doing for us. The Lord teaches us so many great things in few words...love thy neighbor as thyself. Christ loved everybody. If we do our best to love others we aren't only giving but receiving. What you send out will return to you... a universal law.

Sister Lin ended her lesson with another quote from President Smith, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, this is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.  Brethren and sisters, if the gospel of Jesus Christ, as delivered to you, has not planted that feeling of love in our hearts for your fellow men, then I want to say that you have not enjoyed the full fruition of that wonderful gift that came to earth when this Church was organized."  

If we are true followers of Christ we can have that love for people around us.