"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, 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 neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
All Christians have heard these verse of scriptures, but how many actually follow these two commandments?
We should all know that Christ has said that "If ye love me, keep my commandments." So we should know how to follow the first great commandment, but how do we follow the second one?
How do we love our neighbor? How do we love our neighbor when our neighbor doesn't love us? How do we love our neighbor when they believe in something we don't?
I say in order for us to love our neighbor we must learn how to follow the second part of the second greatest commandment. Let's look at it another time, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Do you see the second part? We need to love our neighbors the same amount as we love ourselves. Do you love yourself?A thought came to me the other day, how can we love someone else if we can't even love ourselves?
The following are ways we can learn to love ourselves, most, if not all, can be applied to learning how to love our neighbors as well.
1. Accept your weaknesses.
We all have weaknesses, some more visible than others. What we view as a weakness, others may view as a strength. If you feel your weakness really is making it impossible to love yourself than you have the power to work on that weakness until it becomes a strength.
2. Look in the mirror and name five things you like about yourself.
This one can be difficult for some, but I can tell you that it really does help. There have been times where I have felt unsure about myself, felt like I was worthless. While attending LDS Business College I was taught a way to help with killing it at job interviews. Before the interview you would go in front of a mirror and strike a power pose, it boosts your self-esteem and you perform better during the interview. I saw that it worked and I applied it all parts of my life and it truly has helped.
3. Study the Scriptures
As we have entered into a new year we have entered into a new way of study. Studying the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon has helped me gain a greater understanding of who I am and my potential in life and beyond. As we strive to study the scriptures we will see who we are, children of God, and He loves us, so should we also love us?
4. Follow the Prophets
Just like studying the scriptures, the words of the prophets give us a greater perspective of ourselves, our neighbors and God. The prophets teach of how we can improve ourselves, they also teach us how we can show more love to others and ourselves. What has the prophet taught you recently?
5. Love Others
I have grown up hearing the phrase, practice makes perfect. If you can't seem to love yourself, practice by loving others. If you struggle loving others try following the previous steps.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." If God loves us so much that He allowed His Son to die for us then what does that make our worth?
When we increase our love for us, we can increase our love for others. When we increase our love for others we can increase our love for God.
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