In a flurry of social media posts for Valentine’s Day, President Russell M. Nelson, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Elder Quentin L. Cook, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Gerrit W. Gong, Relief Society General President Jean B. Bingham, and Sister Amy A. Wright from the General Primary Presidency all shared advice for looking beyond chocolate and flowers to more meaningful expressions of love.
President Russell M. Nelson
President Russell M. Nelson gave a sweet tribute to his late wife Dantzel, who passed away just two days before Valentine’s Day in 2005. He also shared gratitude and praise for his current wife Wendy.
He also advised followers on social media to look beyond chocolate and flowers today and find ways to show “lovingkindness,” a word he notes appears in the Old Testament over 25 times.
“Regardless of relationship status, there is one source to whom we can all turn to either enhance the love we feel for others or mend our hearts when they feel broken—the Savior Jesus Christ. His ministry, His teachings, and His selfless sacrifice were all born out of His infinite love and tremendous care for each one of us.”
See President Nelson’s entire post below:
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Elder Holland's post turned hearts and minds to the love of the Savior.
“For nearly 60 years, we have faced days of glory—but also days of gloom. Sometimes we fail. Sometimes those we love may fail. But the pure love of Jesus Christ will never fail. Pat and I have found that following the Savior’s perfect example of love brings more joy to our marriage than anything else because it cannot—and will not—fail! I am grateful there is One who did get it all right.”
► You may also like: Elder Holland’s Valentine’s Day message that might change how you show love
Elder Quentin L. Cook
Elder Cook offered some loving advice for making Valentine's Day full of love, no matter your relationship status.
“On a day like today, I encourage you to not focus on the connections you don’t have—but instead focus on the family connections you do have. As you do so, you will be blessed with more closeness and joy with your loved ones.”
Elder Ronald A. Rasband
After speaking to students at Brigham Young University—Idaho last night, Elder Rasband surprised his wife, Melanie, with flowers. How sweet! He also shared on Facebook, “Make the commitment now to love God. I promise that everything else will fall in line if you put Him first. Loving God is the key to happiness and will prepare you to face whatever comes.“
Elder Gerrit W. Gong
In a cute video, Elder Gong and his wife Susan share corny jokes with one another like this one:
“What do you call a fish with no eyes?”
“Fsh!”
After laughing together, Elder Gong shares, ”Our loving Father in Heaven wants our most precious relationships to be forever and happy. Our Savior’s Atonement makes forever and happy both possible. I’m so grateful that we have the hope of being happy and forever.”
You can watch the Gongs’ entire video below:
President Jean B. Bingham
President Bingham focused her social media post on how to better demonstrate Christlike, genuine love for others, and invited Relief Society sisters to “use today and every day as an opportunity to love as the Savior does.”
Read President Bingham’s list of ways to more lovingly include others in her Facebook post below:
Sister Amy A. Wright
Sister Wright shared her love for her friends in the Primary office—Sister Porter, President Johnson, and their administrative manager, Joy Nelson—and said that they each have taught her so much about love.
She continues, “I know that each of us have had days when it was hard to feel loved. If you have not felt God’s love in your life recently, please consider this scripture: “Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ” (Moroni 7:48). I know from personal experience that God’s love can fill our hearts and help heal our souls.”
