To my daughter(s),
Since it's the beginning of February, I thought I'd start your month with a little love. One of the greatest blessings in my life has been the knowledge I have of Christ's love for us. He truly loves us. How great it is that we can pray to Him and He will always be right there, listening. I hope that you come to realize {if you haven't already} that our Savior loves you so much.
Now, I want to focus on another love. The love that I hope you will have for others around you. NO matter what they look like, what they choose to do, what they choose to say. Love them. Please love them. Part of that love will come through forgiveness... “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother… standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all” (D&C 64:9–10).
The Lord said "love one another as I have loved you". You will find this to be difficult at times. Especially when someone dear to us disappoints or hurts us. I can recall many experiences when I've been in that situation. One specific example was when a boy broke my heart. Twice. CLASSIC. I remember feeling anger and disappointment, and thinking...well, mean things about him. I got to a point where the hurt had passed but I still felt anger. So I turned to the Lord. Day and night I prayed that I would be able to see this boy as He sees him. Beyond the hurt and disappointment. That I could love and forgive him.
Some of the happiest moments in my life have been when I've been able to feel Christ's love for his children. You will feel joy as you specifically pray for this. Another experience I had was when I served in the Relief Society Presidency in one of my student wards. I remember one Sunday as I sat in the front, I was looking over at all of our girls and their beautiful smiles. An overwhelming feeling of love towards these ladies came over me that I simply can not express in words! I know that I got to feel a tiny bit of how much the Savior loves the sisters in the church!
As you grow, love everyone around you. Pray to feel that love everyday. Don't let the small things of the world keep you from accepting and loving everyone you come in contact with. I promise that as you do so, you will find joy and you will radiate the light of Christ. Remember that His love never ceases and neither should ours.
