John teaches an important principle in his first epistle: Love and fear are incompatible. “There is no fear in love,” he writes, “but perfect love casteth out fear.” Then, he adds, “He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
Mormon makes the same assertion in an epistle to his son. After declaring a doctrine that he knows some people will disagree with, he writes, “I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear” (Moroni 8:16).
The meaning seems clear: When we love others, our desire for their welfare overpowers any anxiety we might feel for ourselves. Our natural selfish impulses simply can’t compete with our yearning for their happiness. So one implication of love and fear being mutually exclusive is this: The more you love other people, the less you will worry about yourself.
I recently learned another implication of this principle. Last month, Elder Gerrit W. Gong spoke about the importance of speaking languages of love in our homes. He said:
Of course, no individual and no family is perfect. We all need help better to speak love here. “Perfect love casteth out fear.”
“Love Is Spoken Here,” General Conference, October 2023
When we feel loved, we are more secure and less likely to be anxious. By speaking languages of love in our homes, we dispel anxiety among family members. We should strive to create a home environment free of turmoil and animosity.
John says, “We have known and believed the love that God hath to us.” As a result, “we may have boldness in the day of judgment” (1 John 4:16-17). So another implication of John’s principle is this: Help other people feel loved, and they will not be governed by anxiety.
Today, I will overcome fear with love. I will remember that my love for others can make me less anxious and more confident. I will strive to establish an environment of love in my home, so that family members can grow in a secure and supportive environment.