From Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (deceased), from his book “21 Principles” wrote of Principle 17:
I am convinced that when we give unconditional love; when our interest is in serving, building, edifying, strengthening without thought of self; when we do not expect an automatic return for each act of kindness, generosity, or sincere effort to help; when we are not concerned about what we will receive or what others will say or whether our own burdens will be diminished, but selflessly seek to build another, the miracle of the power of the gospel is released in our lives. We permit the Lord to work through us to bless others, that sacred experience releases power in our own lives, and miracles occur. Well did the Master say, “For inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of these, ye do it unto me” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:38). Respect and love must be earned, and there is no better way to learn them than to lift another. Begin now with your best effort. Reach out to another. You will feel the power of the Lord flow through you. Your own self-respect will return, and you can love yourself again. Your life will be enriched and given purpose, and you will be given the power to make a difference in everything around you.
Pure love is an incomparable, potent power for good. Righteous love is the foundation of a successful marriage. It is the primary cause of contented, well-developed children. It is the source of complete unity within a presidency, a quorum, or a family where decisions are voluntarily made unanimously. Where that unity comes willingly from a foundation of pure love and an eye single to the glory of God.
Love is a potent healer. Realizing that, Satan would separate you from the power of the love of God, kindred and friends that want to help. He would lead you to feel that the walls are pressing in around you and there is no escape or relief. He wants you to believe that you lack the capacity to help yourself and that no one else is really interested. If he succeeds you will be driven to further despair and heartache. His strategy is to have you think you are not appreciated, loved or wanted, so that you in despair will turn to self-criticism, and in the extreme to even despising yourself and feeling evil when you are not. Remember the wisdom of the Lord “is greater than the cunning of the devil” (Doctrine and Covenants 10:43). If you have such thoughts, break through helpless feelings by reaching out in love to another in need. That may sound cruel and unfeeling when you long so much for healing, but it is based upon truth. Paul taught, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
God has given you the capacity to exercise faith so that you can find peace, joy and purpose in life. However, to employ its power, faith must be rooted in something secure. There is no more solid foundation than faith in the love Heavenly Father has for you, faith in His plan of happiness, and faith in the willingness and power of Jesus Christ to fulfill all of his promises.
Faith in Christ means you must trust Him; you trust his teachings. That leads to hope, and hope brings charity, the pure love of Christ—that peaceful feeling that comes when you sense His concern, His love, and His capacity to cure you or to ease your burdens with His healing power.
Through His grueling, indescribably onerous sacrifice of self, Jesus Christ earned the authority and power to save us from the effect of broken law. He has done this through his matchless love and perfect Atonement. This act is the central ingredient of our Holy Father’s plan of happiness. That is why the Atonement of Christ is considered to be the single most significant event that ever has or ever will occur.
I bear solemn witness that Jesus Christ lives. He is a glorious manifestation of power and obedience. He is our Savior, our Redeemer, the Prince of Peace. He is all the hope that we have for eternal life with our Father in Heaven. I have found that he has the capacity to communicate love so intensely, so focused that it is beyond the capacity of human tongue to describe adequately.~Elder Richard G. Scott, 21 Principles Divine Truths to Help You Life by the Spirit (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2013), 81-83
