1 John 2–4

“Beloved, Let Us Love One Another”

A painting of a mass of people from different ethnic backgrounds. Submission for the 11th Annual Art Competition.

Why is it sometimes difficult to show love for others? How does our love of God connect to loving others? The Apostle John taught the Saints how God’s love for them could inspire them to love God and others (see 1 John 4:11, 19). This lesson can help you understand and apply the commandment to love others as you love God.

Loving others

Think of several ways you could finish the following sentences:

It’s easy to love others when …
It’s more difficult to love others when …

Ponder the following question:

What motivates you or makes it difficult for you to show love for others?

John’s teachings about love

The Apostle John boldly taught about the need to love others.

Read 1 John 3:16–17; 4:7–11, 19–21 and mark truths that you think will be helpful to you as you consider the challenges of loving others. (Note that the word propitiation [1 John 4:10] means an atoning sacrifice that satisfies the justice of God.)

What did you find interesting or meaningful from John’s teachings? Why?

One of the truths John taught in these passages is that if we love God, we will also love others. You may want to mark this truth in 1 John 4:21.

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. — Taking upon Ourselves the Name of Jesus Christ

Taking upon Ourselves the Name of Jesus Christ

Receiving the blessings of loving others

Read 1 John 3:17–18 to see how John urged us to love others.

What do you think it might mean to love others “in deed and in truth”? (1 John 3:18).

It may also be meaningful to read some of the Savior’s teachings about loving one another recorded in Matthew 5:43–44; 22:37–40; and John 13:34, looking for how the Savior taught we should love others. (See also John 15:12, 17.)

Create a list of ways you can show love for others “in deed and in truth,” or as the Savior loved us. It may be useful to consider ways to show love to different people, such as family members, friends, or classmates.

If it would help to see some examples of loving others “in deed and in truth,” consider watching “Now Serving” (2:18) to see examples. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Application

Think of someone that you know that the Lord may want you to show more love to. Try to think of the love Heavenly Father and the Savior have for them. Consider praying to Heavenly Father. Listen and feel for inspiration on what He may want you to do to show love for this person. You may want to pray for help in your efforts. It might also be helpful to share what you plan to do with a trusted adult or friend and ask them to help you.

Optional: Want to Learn More?

1 John 3:18. What does it mean to love “in deed and in truth”?

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

Often, the greatest manifestations of love are the simple acts of kindness and caring we extend to those we meet along the path of life.

(Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Great Commandment,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 29)

What are some of the blessings of loving others?

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, testified of blessings that can come from loving others.

Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk.

When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound.

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Love of God,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 21)

1 John 3:18. How can we show love “in deed and in truth” in our family relationships?

Watch “The Eternal Blessings of Marriage” from time code 6:23 to 8:41 to see Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles describe kind deeds he and his wife exchanged, or watch “Two Brothers Apart” (6:12), which shows two brothers learning to understand and love each other.

1 John 4:12. What did John mean when he said that “no man hath seen God at any time”?

“The Joseph Smith Translation of this verse clarifies the misconception that mortals are unable to see God: ‘No man hath seen God at any time, except them who believe’ (in 1 John 4:12, footnote a). John continued by teaching: ‘If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us’ (1 John 4:12). John himself had seen God the Father (see Revelation 5:1; D&C 67:11). To read more about mortals being able to see God, see John 14:23; Acts 7:56; D&C 93:1; Joseph Smith—History 1:16–17” (New Testament Student Manual [2014], 517).

1 John 4:20–21. Who are our “brothers”?

President Russell M. Nelson explained:

Our highest priorities in life are to love God and to love our neighbors. That broadly includes neighbors in our own family, our community, our nation, and our world.

(Russell M. Nelson, “Teach Us Tolerance and Love,” Ensign or Liahona, May 1994, 69)