Have you ever thought of love as an act of courage? It often seems safer to close one’s heart, to turn inward and avoid the possibility of heartache. As British writer C. S. Lewis wrote: “To love… is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken.” It takes faith and hope to truly love another, because there’s always the risk of being hurt as we expose our weaknesses, our worries, and our dreams.
In the 1930s, young Gordon Hinckley and Marjorie Pay were engaged to be married. But Gordon was worried about the economic realities of marriage during the Great Depression. He opened his heart to his fiancée and, with some anxiety, told her, “I think you should know that I only have $150 to my name.”
Marjorie responded with optimism, “Oh, that will work out just fine.” She explained, “I had hoped for a husband and now I [am] getting $150 too!”
It was a vulnerable moment, but instead of expressing fear and worry, Marjorie expressed courage, confidence, optimism, and even good humor. In other words, she expressed love. They did get married, and their marriage lasted nearly seven decades.
Love gives meaning to life. It’s what keeps us going when we feel like giving up; it remains when all else fails. Love never quits and never runs out; it simply endures and overcomes.
We all have secret fears, insecurities, desires, and dreams that we guard. To share such things with someone else is a sacred act. So when someone is brave enough to give us their heart, we need to hold it gently-with both hands and with love, kindness, and respect. Yes, to open your heart in love is risky, but as all who have truly loved know, it’s well worth the risk.
-Lloyd D. Newell
The Four Loves (1960), 121.
In Virginia H. Pearce, ed., Glimpses into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley (1999), 77-78.
See 1 Corinthians 13:8; Moroni 7:46-47.
February 11, 2018
Broadcast Number 4,613
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Orchestra at Temple Square
Conductor
Mack Wilberg
Organist
Richard Elliott
Host
Lloyd Newell
Praise Ye the Lord
John Rutter
If the Savior Stood Beside Me
Sally DeFord; arr. Sam Cardon
The Rejoicing, from Music for the Royal Fireworks
George Frideric Handel; arr. Richard Elliott
Let All the Angels of God Worship Him, from Messiah
George Frideric Handel
In Heavenly Love Abiding
Finnish melody; arr. Mack Wilberg
Love Is a Song
Frank Churchill; arr. Arthur Harris
Call of the Champions (The Official Theme of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games)
John Williams