Dear Sisters and Elders –
One of the questions I hear frequently from missionaries is this: "What can I do to develop Christ-like love for others?" This is an excellent question. Certainly, our effectiveness as missionaries in planning, studying, finding, and teaching depends upon our ability to think less about ourselves and to love others more unconditionally. The success of our companionship also depends on our ability to love. Let me share a few thoughts on increasing our ability to love as Christ does.
First, the capacity to love is a spiritual gift from God. Moroni encourages us to, "pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son (Moroni 7:48)." We cannot develop the capacity to love without the Lord's help, and we must plead to Him in faith for that help.
Second, our capacity to love increases as we obey the commandments and live the missionary standards. Christ explains, "if ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love (John 15:10)" and "if you keep not my commandments, the love of the Father shall not continue with you (D&C 95:12)." So, when we arise at 6:30 AM, faithfully plan-study-teach, listen only to approved music, follow internet / email standards, etc., we enable the Lord to bless us with an increased ability to have His love abide in us.
Third, we love those whom we serve. As we sacrifice for others through service, the Lord increases our ability to love those individuals. This works for those we already love, and also for those that may bother or irritate us. Because of Christ's ultimate sacrifice, He gained the capacity to love fully and completely. Our ability to love will increase as we serve.
So, our ability to love increases as we (1) pray for the gift of love, (2) obey the commandments and live the mission standards, and (3) do specific acts of service for others. Certainly, we will need an increased ability to love in order to find and teach the tens of thousands awaiting us.
Elder Ballard explained: "The future growth of the Church will not happen through just knocking on strangers' doors. It will happen when the members, along with our missionaries, filled with the love of God and Christ discern needs and respond to those needs in the spirit of charitable service ("Finding Joy through Loving Service," Ensign, May 2011)."
Let’s strive to increase our capacity to love in order to be more effective instruments in God's hands.
Sure love you,
President Pingree