Love Your Enemies

There is much to be learned by reflecting on what happened in 2006 in the Amish community around Nickel Mines, PA. A gunman stormed into a one-room schoolhouse and shot 10 young girls, killing five. He then killed himself. What followed was a powerful demonstration of the depth of Amish forgiveness. That very afternoon of the shooting, an Amish grandfather of one of the girls who was killed expressed forgiveness toward the killer. Also that same day, Amish neighbors visited the killer’s family to comfort them in their sorrow and pain. A few days later, families who had buried their own daughters just the day before were in attendance at his burial, and they hugged the killer’s widow and other members of the killer's family. In the New Testament, the Savior teaches “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” Moroni, in The Book of Mormon, certainly exemplified this. He lived to witness the entire destruction of his people in battle by their enemies. And yet, his final desire was to leave words of wisdom that might someday aid the perpetrators.

 Moroni 1:2 For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ.
 3 And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life.
 4 Wherefore, I write a few more things, contrary to that which I had supposed; for I had supposed not to have written any more; but I write a few more things, that perhaps they may be of worth unto my brethren, the Lamanites, in some future day, according to the will of the Lord.

LESSON LEARNED: Divine love reaches to the depths of loving those who hate us, despitefully use us, and would even try to kill us.

FEEDBACK: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE DEPTHS OF DIVINE LOVE, AND WHY DO YOU SUPPOSE THE SAVIOR WANTS US TO UNDERSTAND IT?