Breaking Down Barriers and Uniting in Love as Followers of Christ

Love lies at the heart of Christ’s teachings. It is a marker of true discipleship. Love serves as the ultimate tool to unite believers—even in diversity—in faith and purpose.

Jesus taught that love is not merely a virtue but the foundation of His gospel. It becomes the defining quality of those who truly follow Him. When we embrace love, we carry the essence of Christ’s mission. We foster harmony within the body of Christ. This divine love calls us to break down walls and bridge differences, bringing us together as one in heart and mind.

As the apostle Paul wrote, “If I have not love, I am nothing,” underscoring that love is what gives life to every other action of faith (1 Corinthians 13:1-2). Without it, our efforts are empty, lacking the true spirit of Christ’s teachings. Midegah Ogichidaa’s recent call for unity resonates with this principle, urging us to shed divisions that prevent God’s work from progressing.

Only by rooting ourselves in love can we answer Christ’s call to fulfill His work, building a community and people who reflect His light and draw others to Him.

Love as the Root of Faith

In the New Testament, John teaches that true faith and love are inseparable.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”

1 John 4:7-8

Love is not only an outward expression, but the foundation of faith itself. Without love for God and one another, faith is incomplete. Love fuels faith. It encourages believers to grow in trust and unity with God and their community. John’s message reminds us that through love, we draw closer to God and reflect His nature, which becomes a powerful tool for breaking down divisions and fostering trust.

In the Book of Mormon, Alma underscores this connection, where he calls upon the people to be “humble, submissive, gentle, easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering.” He then emphasizes “love unfeigned” as essential to building a Christ-centered community (see Alma 7:23-24).

Love that is genuine and selfless, rooted in humility and patience, binds people together. When a community operates on principles of love, its members find strength, support, and a spirit of compassion that becomes difficult to break. It doesn’t matter where we came from or what church we associated with. All that matters is how we collective walk in faith toward Christ. This type of love forms the basis of trust and unity, which are essential elements in creating a community that can reflect Christ’s teachings and serve as a true body of believers.

When love is present, barriers soften, misunderstandings lessen, and differences are set aside for the greater purpose of following Christ. True love within a community transforms it into a sanctuary—a Zion—where God’s spirit can flourish, creating a place of refuge and strength for all its members.

Christ’s Commandment to Love One Another

Jesus’s words, “Love one another; as I have loved you,” stand as a profound call for believers to embody love in their actions and relationships. This commandment urges us to love as He did—without reservation. Through His life, Jesus showed that true love is compassionate, humble, and sacrificial. His love broke down barriers, reached out to the marginalized, and forgave generously.

This Christ-centered love forms the bedrock of unity, allowing communities to transcend doctrinal differences and personal conflicts. As Patrick McKay pointed out the other night, restoration believers can unite by focusing on shared faith rather than differences, like one tree with branches that bear different fruits.

Love is the ultimate equalizer, enabling believers to overcome divisions and work toward a common purpose. When love is prioritized, misunderstandings fade, egos are set aside, and the focus shifts to mutual support and shared vision.

Becoming One in Heart and Purpose

The Book of Mormon teaches that unity in love is the defining characteristic of a faithful, Zion-like community. In Mosiah 18:21, Alma’s followers are described as “knit together in unity and love toward one another,” a bond forged through shared faith, commitment, and covenants. Such unity goes beyond simple cooperation; it is a deep alignment in heart and purpose, creating a community grounded in mutual love and selflessness, ready to support and uplift one another as a single, cohesive body in Christ.

Building a community unified in heart and purpose requires embodying Christ’s attributes, which Joseph Smith detailed in Lectures on Faith. His character is marked by perfect love, patience, humility, and mercy, qualities that create an unbreakable bond and an unshakeable faith among believers. Love, the greatest of these attributes, acts as the root of faith and is essential for true unity. Cultivating these Christ-like attributes nurtures a spirit of oneness and prepares individuals to act selflessly. Humility, forgiveness, and compassion make unity not just a goal but a living reality, drawing members closer to God and to each other.

Faith in Action—Serving Others in Love

True love and unity are shown most fully when believers serve each other in humility and compassion. Galatians 5:13 encourages us to “serve one another humbly in love.” Faith without action is incomplete. Serving others by lifting their burdens, supporting them in times of need, and showing Christ-like compassion creates a community bound together by more than words—it is bound by love.

SonHaven’s mission is grounded in this principle of love through service. By focusing on breaking down barriers through Christ-centered service, SonHaven offers a sanctuary for those who seek to live in unity and purpose. This community embodies consecration and dedication, inviting others into a space where love is not only preached but practiced daily. Through these acts of selfless love, we attempt to mirror Christ’s teachings and strive to build a true body of believers, unified in faith and purpose.

As followers of Christ, we are invited to reflect on any barriers preventing full unity in His love. Remember, Nephi taught that there are only two churches: the church of Christ, and the church of the devil. Let us embrace love as the ultimate guide, moving beyond divisions to create communities rooted in compassion and service. Together, we can answer the call to live with one heart and mind in Christ. As Ephesians 4:3 reminds us, let us “endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” striving to build His kingdom in unity and love.