Compassion in Action

Christ’s light shines within us when we choose to love others through word and deed.

As I come to know my Savior better by reading about his life and ministry, I am always inspired by his capacity to love so abundantly. When Christ healed and blessed those in need, his devotion was evident through his words and deeds, often calling each individual up one by one to personally attend to them. He loved perfectly, equally, and fully.

This principle is echoed in Elder Ian S. Ardern’s talk “Love Thy Neighbor,” as he teaches that “compassion is an attribute of Christ. It is born of love for others and knows no boundaries.” When we strive to love others equally and have Christlike compassion, we can alleviate our neighbors’ burdens as Christ would through heartfelt ministering and charitable service.

Because Christ loved so completely, striving to follow in his footsteps can feel daunting. How can we possibly make an impact similar to Christ’s when he has infinite love? Elder Ardern reminds us that “despite our every effort, you and I won’t heal everyone, but each of us can be the one who can make a difference for good in the life of someone.”

Making these differences requires our intentional awareness—looking for those who are silently suffering or in need of charity, genuinely getting to know those around us, and bringing Christ’s love to them by serving selflessly. Though our efforts to reach out may be humble, Elder Ardern declares that “it is sufficient to give or to do what you are able and then to allow Christ to magnify your effort.”

We are not alone in our efforts to reach out to God’s children; Christ is always beside us, ministering with us and magnifying us. He will help us to develop the capacity to love as abundantly as he did. When we choose to seek out and serve those in need, we, one by one, are bringing Christ’s light and love to his fold.

Read the general conference talk, “Love Thy Neighbor,” by Elder Ian S. Ardern to learn more about how we can love as Christ did.

Source: General Conference

—Aundrea Esplin, Latter-day Saint Insights

FEATURE IMAGE BY MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA

Find more insights 

Take a look at Elder Neil L. Andersen’s general conference talk “Following Jesus: Being a Peacemaker” to understand how we can love peaceably. 

Read the general conference talk “Bridging the Two Great Commandments” by Elder Gary E. Stevenson to learn how to live the two great commandments equally.