Love Thy Neighbour As Thyself

In his recent talk in general conference Elder S. Gifford Nielsen spoke of the two great commandments. He said, “Someone once asked Jesus, ‘Which is the great commandment in the law?’ He answered: ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. ‘This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’ (Matthew 22:36–39).” Elder Nielsen then made this interesting comment, “I don’t know about you, but when I read these two great commandments, I detect a third, implied commandment: to love thyself. Have you ever thought of loving yourself as a commandment? Can we truly love God and love His children if we don’t love ourselves?” Certainly this command from the Lord is to love our neighbor, and we can’t love them as ourselves if we don’t indeed love ourselves. As we seek to show love and compassion and forgiveness towards others, we should start by treating ourselves the same way.

This commandment to love others as we love ourselves is actually repeated multiple times in the scriptures, underscoring its importance. We might think that this commandment to love others is not found in the Law of Moses, but the Lord said the same thing there too: “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:18). The account of Matthew records another instance where the Savior repeated this commandment as an essential part of the law: “Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 19:19). Later Paul explained to the Romas that this instruction encompassed all the commandments: “If there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Romans 13:9). James the brother of Christ referred to it this way: “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well” (James 2:8). It is a royal law—a divine law—to love both others and ourselves. We should seek to see all of God’s children, including ourselves, as the Lord sees us with perfect love and compassion. In our dispensation the Lord made it clear that the command is still in effect as He gave instructions regarding the building up of Zion: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Doctrine and Covenants 59:5-6). As we come to love the Lord with all our heart, we will see others, including ourselves, as He sees them: as His children with divine potential. As Elder Nielsen quoted an inspired leader saying to one who struggled to feel worthy of that love: “The Lord knows you, loves you, and is pleased [with] you and the courageous steps you are taking. [You] need to hear the commandment to love yourself so you can feel [God’s] love and love others.” As we come to truly understand that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God,” we will find in our hearts love for ourselves and all of God’s children (Doctrine and Covenants 18:10).