Advertisement

Pure Love

Love is quiet. Love is calm. When the heat and the fire cool, what will remain? In Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s devotional address, “Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments,” He quotes Robert Frost’s “Fire and Ice” and Proverbs.

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.

A second, less poetic but more specific opinion is offered by the writer of Proverbs:

Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? . . .

Before my marriage, my sister-in-law gave me a book called “Is Kissing Sinful?” by Grant Von Harrison, and it changed by perspective about what type of physical affection I would allow in any future relationship. My husband and I had the opportunity to develop our friendship without letting lust drive or define our relationship. We grew into our love for each other before marriage and sacred relationship after marriage. 

This changed everything. Knowing where the spirit will and will not reside is the difference of only a “few degrees” (see Elder Uchtdorf’s talk, “A Matter of a Few Degrees). I love my mother’s words, “It will surprise you who you marry,” and I was pleasantly surprised. I am so happy I have found a man of God, who loves the Lord and is always “trying to be” better. I’m grateful I married potential. I’m grateful for the gospel and for the knowledge I have of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I still have a long ways to go, but I have followed our Savior’s example of being baptized, I strive to keep the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and I know as I continuously strive to be better and  keep all of God’s commandments, I will be blessed.

REFERENCES

Holland, Elder J.R. (1988). Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments. Devotional Address. Brigham Young University. http://www.familylifeeducation.org/gilliland/procgroup/Souls.htm

Reeves, L.S. (2016). Women’s Conference. Brigham Young University. https://www.byutv.org/player/140af3d2-0c0c-49e6-9cbb-fe33f792f388/byu-womens-conference-linda-s-reeves-2016

Uchtdorf, Elder D.F. (2008). A Matter of a Few Degrees. General Conference Address. Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media-library/video/2008-04-3050-president-dieter-f-uchtdorf?lang=eng&clang=ase