Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul, by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles


Much has been said about public cell phone conversations, particularly regarding the volume that people choose to speak (i.e. too loudly). However, have you ever heard someone talking to a loved one, who after an overly-loud conversation ends the call with a very quiet, "I love you"?

If you haven't, then maybe you've heard my conversations with my wife or children. If you have, you may remember that our "I love you"s aren't muted, diminished, or silenced at all. We're not afraid that people know we love each other!

As I reviewed Elder Holland's important message, I thought of the love that my family shares for each other as he told of the love that he and his wife share. Here is my favorite snippet of his comments (when he compared love to lust):

True love we are absolutely giddy about—as I am about Sister Holland; we shout it from the housetops.

This feeling (and other good feelings) can be contrasted to lust. I was somewhere recently when an older song (titled, perhaps, "I want to fall in lust," or something similar) came over the speakers. Recognizing the song, I instantly felt cheapened—like something I hold dear was insulted.

Perhaps it was. Especially considering my heightened feelings of love considering my present separation from family as I was away at a conference.

Speaking of lust, Elder Holland said:

[Lust] is a sin because it defiles the highest and holiest relationship God gives us in mortality—the love that a man and a woman have for each other and the desire that couple has to bring children into a family intended to be forever.

I'm grateful for love. I'm also grateful for the important reminders and actions that Elder Holland spoke of.

I want to keep my love pure, holy, and forever.