The Greatest Law

Love God with thy Whole Heart

Now that we’ve established in previous studies a firm understanding of what sin is, why obedience to commandments is necessary, and what our obligation to obey the law of the Lord is, let’s learn what the Lord has commanded us to do or not do.

The rest of the study is organized into categories of commandments. Structured in the order that the ten commandments were given to us by God, because the order is significant. The order establishes a foundation upon which each additional command rests. To begin in order, we must give great deference to what has been taught as the greatest of all the commandments.

When Moses was asked what was the greatest commandment in the law, he answered the question in Deuteronomy 6. He wrote:

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
– Deuteronomy 6:5-9

When the lawyers asked Jesus Christ which was the greatest commandment in the law, his response harkened back to the prophet Moses, he said:

“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. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” — Matthew 22:36-40

The Pharisees and Sadducees were all too aware that this command to love the Lord thy God was supreme, as they had worn in on their frontlets and bracelets daily, they reverenced the shema as they passed through the door of their homes and loving touched the mezuzah, each a reminder that of all the commandments the first and greatest was to “love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Jesus gave greater emphasis in his answer by adding the attendant principle that to love God with all our heart requires that we love our neighbours as ourselves. Christ makes reference to their ceremonial clothing when he says “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Wearing the prayer shawl, the Pharisees and Sadducees, were aware of the symbolism of the threads hanging from their shawl as a representation of all the commandments in the law, and the two braided cords at each end representing the 10 commandments. This was a deeply symbolic and sacred teaching that should have penetrated to the heart of those who studied the law as their profession.

In our study of the laws of God, let us never forget the greatest commandment of all, for upon it hang all the laws and the prophets. Let’s begin our study of the commandment with a study of the commandment to LOVE GOD “with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” As we do this, let us examine the true nature of love and its connection to obedience to the law.

As we view the commandments as an expression of God’s love for us, and our love for him, we will stop viewing commandments as burdens and/or restrictions. With the correct view of the animating love from which the commandments are given we will not so easily resist submitting to God’s will. We will be less likely to act in pride, believing they know better than God. These harmful attitudes of defiance will disperse as we come to know God’s great love and turn our hearts to him in love.

Why is obedience about love?

Love is at the heart of God’s commandments. Out of God’s love for us he has given us commandments that will bring us joy, peace, and safety, if we willingly obey. When we believe in God’s omnipotence, then we accept that he knows what is in our best interest. When we believe in his love for us, then we can accept that commandments are meant to bless us rather than restrict us.

“There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated— When we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” — Doctrine and Covenant 130:20-21

When we act on our belief and obey God’s laws “he doth immediately bless” us. (Mosiah 2:24, Book of Mormon) Our experiences with the fruits of obedience draw us nearer to God and strengthen our love for him. John taught that obedience to God’s laws is the expression of our love for him.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” — 1 John 5:3

It is no wonder then that the commandment to love God contains the injunction, “with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” It takes this kind of singular focus on God and our love for him, and faith in his love for us, to continue to strive to obey his commandments.

Our striving for obedience teaches us to rely upon Christ and his atoning power and grace to maintain ourselves in good works. In this way, obedience increases our faith and understanding of Christ’s atoning power, and draws our hearts nearer to him in love and gratitude.

This deep and abiding love of God is the only long lasting motivation to follow God’s commandments. For this reason the first and greatest commandment is to “love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:3) It is no wonder that Christ taught that upon this law “hang all the law and the prophets.”


To LOVE God is to…

LOVE what God loves

WANT what God wants

DO what God commands

Here are some Scriptures passages that explain why:

“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.” — Matthew 22:37-38

“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.” — Doctrine & Covenants 59:5

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, always.” — Deut. 11:1

“Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

“And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.

“And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.

“And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.

— Mosiah 4:9-12, Book of Mormon

“And behold, I have given you the law and the commandments of my Father, that ye shall believe in me, and that ye shall repent of your sins, and come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit… Therefore come unto me and be ye saved; for verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” — 3 Nephi 12:19-20, Book of Mormon

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering; Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest.” — Alma 13:28-29

“That which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.” — Moroni 7:13, Book of Mormon

Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself

Love is often described as a feeling, but without the active component of love it does not endure. This is true in God’s love for us, our love of God, and our love for others. How would we know of God’s love for us, except that we experience it in the acts of sacrifice and care he bestows upon us. We know his love because of his constant reaching out to us, his endless long-suffering love toward us, and his daily striving with us. In essence His love is effectual because of the acts of love.

The acts of love are the evidence of love and absent this evidence of love, is there love at all?

This is how we should examine our love for God. When God commands us to love him, is he asking for us to have soft warm feelings of love and gratitude toward him, but without any of the tangible evidence of love in our actions? If we didn’t have the tangible evidence of God’s love for us, would we know he loves us? No! So too, we must act out our love for God.

Love is more a verb than a noun. Without its active component it has no power, no abiding nature, and therefore it is dead. James says that faith without works is dead, this is also true for love, love without the works of love is not love at all.

In this section of our study we must examine the second great commandment, which Christ the Lord said was “like unto” the first, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” ( Matthew 22:39) To understand this law it’s imperative that it remain connected to the principles related to love of God. The Lord's expectations in relation to the second great commandment are the same as the first, namely, that love will be something that we do, not something that we’re in. Unfortunately, it’s too common among Christians today to seem to be in love with Jesus, but without the acts of love that are evidence of a true love. Christ tells us what the acts of true love are when he says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15

Christ likens the married state and married love to the covenant relationship he made with his church and each of us. Marriage acts as the intimate school of love in this life and in the relationship we have the opportunity to develop the characteristics related to Godly love. Certainly our relationship with God is not a romantic love, but it must be a true love for us to realize the power of that covenant relationship.

A favorite song of mine demonstrates the principles of action in the love:

Love is certain, love is kind
Love is yours and love is mine
But it isn't something that we find
It's something that we do
– Clint Black

In the refrains of this song we are reminded that love isn’t someplace that we fall but rather it is something that we mindfully do. Love isn’t simply something we say, but something that we do. Love isn’t something that we’re in, but something that we do. Love isn't just something that we have, but something that we do. Love isn't something that we find, it's something that we do.

As we seek to follow the command to love our neighbors as ourselves, it can’t be merely something that we feel, it must be something that we do. In fact, in order to love all, we must sometimes develop love for people who aren’t very lovable. It’s not possible to wait until we fall in love with people, until we have some kind of friendly chemistry, instead we must engage in the acts of love regardless of our feelings for them. Most often, love comes as a result of doing the acts of love first.

Scriptural Passages Related to the Second Great Commandment in the Law:

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” — John 13:35

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” — 1 John 4:7-8

“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” — Ephesians 4:32

“The Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity they were nothing.” — 2 Nephi 26:30, Book of Mormon

“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God…” — Ephesians 5:2

Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

— John 21:15-17

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.” — Matthew 5:43-45

“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.” — Proverbs 3:27-29

“That they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace; that every man should esteem his neighbor as himself, laboring with their own hands for their support.” — Mosiah 27:4, Book of Mormon

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.

Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

— Luke 6: 27-38

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail — But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, 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; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.” — Moroni 7:45-48

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.” — Galatians 5:22

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” — Ephesians 4:29-32

“Every man should love his neighbor as himself, that there should be no contention among them.” — Mosiah 23:15, Book of Mormon

“And ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses; for verily I say unto you, he that forgiveth not his neighbor’s trespasses when he says that he repents, the same hath brought himself under condemnation.” — Mosiah 26:31, Book of Mormon

“Every man seek the interest of his neighbor, and do all things with an eye single to the glory of God.” — Doctrine & Covenants 82:19

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” — Colossians 3:12-15

“I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” — Luke 22:32

“I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” — Mosiah 2:17

“If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.” — Deuteronomy 15:7-8

“He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.” — 1 John 2:10

“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another… fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” — Romans 12:10-18

“We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” — 1 John 4:19-21

“And now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life.” — Mosiah 18:8-9

On these… Hang All the Law

After covering the greatest commandments in the law, the first to love God and the second to love our neighbors, we will explore the study of the laws of God through categories based on the ten commandments. It is of interest that the ten commandments can be understood best by thinking of them as subcategories of the two greatest commandments to love God and our neighbor. Given to us in an order that builds a foundation upon which we are enabled to live lives of virtue and purity.

The ten commandments hang upon these first two greatest commandments. The first five relate to the first commandment to love God and the second five are connected to the second commandment to love our neighbors; though it is essential that we not forget the lessons we have learned in this study so far, namely that all commandments are the expressions of God’s love for us, and likewise, our obedience to them is the expression of our love for Him. Let’s keep this in mind as we study the ten commandments.