“Two Great Commandments (excerpts),” New Era, Nov. 2019, 12–13.
Two Great Commandments (excerpts)
“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 neighbour as thyself” [Matthew 22:37–39].
This means we are commanded to love everyone. … But our zeal to keep this second commandment must not cause us to forget the first, to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. We show that love by “keep[ing] [His] commandments” [John 14:15]. …
… The laws that apply most significantly to the issues relating to those identifying as LGBT are God’s law of marriage and its companion law of chastity. Both are essential in our Father in Heaven’s plan of salvation for His children. …
The work of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is ultimately concerned with preparing the children of God for the celestial kingdom, and most particularly for its highest glory, exaltation or eternal life. …
… We must never persecute those who do not share our beliefs and commitments. … We must all strive to be kinder and more civil. …
Meanwhile, we must try to keep both of the great commandments. To do so, we walk a fine line between law and love—keeping the commandments and walking the covenant path, while loving our neighbors along the way. … Our walk demands that we not compromise on commandments but show forth a full measure of understanding and love. … In all of this we remember that God promises hope and ultimate joy and blessings for all who keep His commandments.