True love is far more than a warm feeling; it is a deliberate commitment, grounded in truth and balanced by compassion. Love does not ask us to conform to the constantly shifting standards of society, nor does it require us to mold others to our own understanding. Instead, true love holds to eternal principles, respects the agency of all God’s children, and finds grace in every encounter. With insights from President Russell M. Nelson, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and even the structure of “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu, we can approach love with the strength, discipline, and gentleness it deserves. In this article, we explore four types of love: love for our brothers and sisters, love in marriage, love for children, and love for God.
Holding Steady in Truth: Loving Our Brothers and Sisters with Grace
President Nelson teaches that true discipleship begins with seeing others as they truly are—our brothers and sisters, each beloved of God and worthy of respect. Jesus taught us to “love thy neighbor as thyself” (Mark 12:31), and He set the ultimate example of standing firm in His values while showing profound compassion. He welcomed all without compromise but with an invitation to come unto Him and follow His way.
This kind of love doesn’t require us to agree with or adopt every viewpoint. Instead, it invites us to offer understanding and respect, rooted in the knowledge that each person has their agency and journey. As we stand firm in truth and principles, we create space to love without judgment, balancing compassion with conviction.
The Fortress of Commitment: The Love of a Spouse
In marriage, President Nelson has often counseled that love grows strongest when it is built on principles of mutual respect, kindness, and a willingness to put the needs of one’s partner above personal pride. Marriage is a profound partnership, one that thrives not when one partner “wins,” but when both serve one another with selfless intent. As Sun Tzu might advise, a fortress is best defended when it’s united, steady, and built on trust.
In a marriage founded on eternal principles, we choose daily to serve, forgive, and support each other. It is a fortress of love, built not with walls but with commitment and understanding, creating a haven of unity. True love in marriage isn’t about conforming to every whim or feeling; rather, it is the art of two people growing together, aligned by common values and an abiding trust in each other’s goodness.
Guiding with Love and Firmness: The Love of Children
Parenting is one of the most profound and challenging forms of love, requiring both adaptability and steadfastness. President Nelson has emphasized that parents’ love should be grounded in truth and guidance. Just as God honors our agency, parents can love their children fully while allowing them to grow through their own choices and experiences.
This balance requires that we, as parents, offer both structure and flexibility. In the words of Sun Tzu, “Appear at points which your opponent must hasten to defend.” For parents, this means being present, supportive, and proactive in our children’s lives. The art of loving children involves guiding them in truth, providing them with a foundation of values, and remaining by their side, even as they make their own choices. Love gives children roots, while trust gives them wings.
Embracing the Ultimate Source of Love: The Love of God
The highest form of love is our relationship with God, where love becomes an act of worship and obedience. President Nelson teaches that God’s love is the foundation of all truth and the source of our strength. Through His commandments and the teachings of Jesus Christ, God has given us a pathway to love that is neither swayed by the world’s pressures nor limited by human flaws.
To love God means to commit to Him fully, standing for the principles He has laid out and inviting His influence into every aspect of our lives. Through His grace, we gain the strength to forgive, the clarity to discern truth, and the courage to love without compromising our values. Sun Tzu’s principle of “acting strategically” finds its spiritual parallel in aligning our lives with God’s will, trusting that His guidance will help us navigate every relationship with love and clarity.
Conclusion: Love as Life’s Greatest Art
The art of love is a journey, a discipline that requires both strength and compassion, and a commitment to eternal truths. In love, we find our greatest source of peace and joy, even as we encounter challenges that test our patience and resolve. Through the teachings of Jesus Christ and the guidance of President Nelson, we see that love is far more than an emotion—it is an art form shaped by our dedication to truth, our willingness to forgive, and our capacity to be patient with others and ourselves.
Love is not about compromising our beliefs to accommodate every viewpoint, nor is it about bending others to our will. It is about standing firm in our values while showing the utmost respect and understanding for others’ journeys. When we anchor our love in truth, we are equipped to offer grace as we walk side-by-side with our brothers and sisters. Whether we are loving a spouse, guiding a child, or serving God, each form of love draws us closer to becoming the people we were meant to be.
In the end, love transforms us, refining our hearts and expanding our ability to see and cherish the divinity in everyone. As we embrace the art of love with a steady foundation in truth and an open heart, we become instruments of God’s love—reaching, healing, and lifting others while drawing closer to Him. The art of love, grounded in truth and cultivated by grace, brings us the ultimate victory: the peace that comes from knowing we have loved as He loves.
Sources
- Nelson, Russell M. "We Can Do Better and Be Better." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Conference, April 2019
- Holy Bible, King James Version. (Mark 12:31)
- Sun Tzu, The Art of War.
