“Love One Another”

By Denise M. Smith

Based on a true story

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you (John 13:34).

Mama wiped down the countertops in the kitchen while Nicole and her cousin Cassidi sat on the floor in the living room, playing quietly. Nicole and Cassidi were both five years old, but Nicole was small for her age.

Nicole and Cassidi agreed on a book from the bookcase, and Nicole began to read aloud. Cassidi sat across from Nicole with her legs crossed and listened closely to the story. The book had pictures, and each time Nicole finished reading a page, she faced the book toward Cassidi so that her cousin could see the picture, too. The girls were having a great time until halfway through the story. Then a look of sadness came over Cassidi’s face, and she began to cry.

“What’s wrong?” Nicole asked.

“Nothing,” Cassidi said quietly, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

“If you’re sad, it makes me sad, too, Cassidi. Please tell me what’s wrong.”

Still sniffling, Cassidi nodded. “Nicole, you are so smart. You can read, and I can’t.”

Nicole lowered her head and closed the book. She felt very sad because Cassidi was unhappy. Mama wanted to rush in and comfort Cassidi; instead, she watched quietly from the kitchen.

Nicole’s eyes grew big, and a smile appeared on her face. “Cassidi, you are the best two-wheel-bicycle rider I’ve ever seen!” she said boldly. “I can’t ride a two-wheel bike at all,” she added, looking into Cassidi’s tear-filled eyes.

A big smile grew on Cassidi’s lips as she wiped the remaining tears from her face. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Nicole. They hugged each other tightly.

“I feel better now,” Cassidi said. “Thank you, Nicole.”

Nicole answered with a smile, and the girls continued to play.

Mama’s eyes filled with tears. She realized that the girls understood better than most grown-ups what it means to love one another as Jesus Christ would.

[Love for Others]

“A true Latter-day Saint possesses a love for others that is consistent with a belief that everyone is a brother or a sister.”
Elder Donald L. Hallstrom
Of the Seventy
From an October 2000 general conference address.

Illustrated by Mark Robison