During Valentine’s season, everyone’s thoughts turn toward romance and love. But Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has explained how we should love others, not only on one day or during one month, but through every trial, struggle, and joyous moment in our lives.
In a sweet tribute on Facebook, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shares his love and appreciation for his “forever valentine.”
Though we might not be able to obtain our Savior’s level of pure, unselfish love, Elder Holland shared how we can love so that our marriages, families, and our relationships can become more pure and Christlike. This Mormon message shares some of the highlights from this powerful talk:
To read the full talk, click here.
Elder Holland also shared a special tribute to his beloved wife today on Facebook, showing what true love looks like in his own marriage:
“What I have learned of romantic love and the beauty of marriage I have learned from Sister Holland. I am honored to be her husband. She is my forever valentine.
“Sister Holland and I have been married for 54 years. I may not know everything about her, but I know 54 years’ worth, and she knows that much of me. I know her likes and dislikes, and she knows mine. I know her tastes and interests, hopes and dreams, and she knows mine. The result is that I know much more clearly now how to help her, and, if I let myself, I know exactly what will hurt her. In the honesty of our love — love that can’t truly be Christlike without such total devotion — surely God will hold me accountable for any pain I cause her by intentionally exploiting or hurting her when she has been so trusting of me.
“I believe the staying power in romance and marriage requires more than any of us really have. It requires something more, an endowment from heaven.
“You want capability, safety, and security in dating and romance, in married life and eternity? Be a true disciple of Jesus. Be a genuine, committed, word-and-deed believer in Him. Believe that your faith has everything to do with your romance, because it does. Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, is the only lamp by which you can successfully see the path of love and happiness for you and for your sweetheart. How should I love thee? As He does, for that way ‘never faileth.’”
