All Our Hearts

Happy New Year!!!

As we begin this new year, I pray that we will each take the opportunity to focus on loving with our whole hearts and take the Savior’s challenge to love as He does. Early one morning, while Caroline and I were with our family during Christmas week, our 4-year-old grandson climbed into bed with us and wanted to snuggle. As I covered him with a blanket, he said, “I love you Grandpop, with all my heart.” These tender words caused me to reflect on what loving something with all our hearts looks and feels like. In that tender moment, I felt so special and loved. I was especially drawn to thoughts on how we, as children of a loving Heavenly Father, demonstrate our love for Him.

Caroline and I love hearing from Elder Thomas as he serves in the Gilbert Arizona service mission. He spends many hours serving in refugee centers, food banks, at the Gilbert Temple as an ordinance worker, and teaching general authorities from South America the English language. He has taken many of those he serves in the community, as well as other missionaries, under his wing and shared with us many times that ‘he loves his mission’ and for the opportunity to be the hands of our Savior. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40) Missionary service, both church service and proselyting, is one way that we show love ‘with all our hearts’ to our Heavenly Father and Savior.

Recently, Caroline and I have been the recipients of acts of kindness and love from others as we have faced unexpected challenges in our lives. A home-cooked meal or frequent check-ins showed support and encouragement during a time of stress. Caroline made the comment that reflects on the ultimate reason we minister: “I’ll always think of these sisters as my angels because of all they’ve done for me.” Caroline felt ‘special and loved’ from the ministering she received. Ministering demonstrates the love we have for our Heavenly Father as we serve others, just as we were served in our time of need. I can testify that even the smallest act of kindness and love that we extend to others follows the example set by our Savior.

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” (John 15:9) I am grateful to serve alongside each of you in this stake. I cherish the moments when I am allowed to see each of you as Father in Heaven sees you. I feel joy as I see your many acts of love and service. May we each continue to strive to love the Lord ’with all our hearts’. I pray the Lord’s choicest blessings for each of you in this new year.

Sincerely,

President Todd Thomas

Second Councilor-Kirtland Stake Presidency