7 Minute Study

study 3: Loving My Enemy

from Alive in Christ by Dallin H. Oaks

April 2026 Conference

for personal use

➜ skip to further study ideas

Begin by reading Matthew 5:43-44.

In verse 43, notice the phrase: “It hath been said” 

  • What hath been said”?

In verse 44, notice the phrase: “But I say unto you…”

This is Jesus speaking. 

  • What does He say, and how is it different from what “hath been said”?

According to Scripture Helps,* the first phrase isn’t a gospel teaching from scripture, it’s from a common saying of the day. 

Jesus helps us notice how His ways differ from common views of society.

That’s something helpful for us too, even so many years later.

“What a revolutionary teaching for personal relationships! Love even your enemies!” -Dallin H. Oaks (April 2026 Conference)

President Oaks further explained:

“Today we might say that we are commanded to love our adversaries.” (April 2026 Conference)

To expand that idea, consider this as any opponent, rival, competitor, challenger, combatant, foe, nuisance, pain in the neck, annoyance, persecutor, bully, or pest.

  • Setting aside for a moment how difficult this might be to do, why do you think Jesus would want us to love everyone—even those who don’t love us?

✎ Consider marking the phrase “love your enemies” in Matthew 5:44 and adding your thoughts as a note. (See Further Study Ideas below to learn how to do this.)

As you read these following two statements, notice the different reasons they offer for loving others.

– 1  –

Feelings we hold for other people, like love, shape our actions toward them. Those feelings make a difference for us, even if they don’t change how other people feel or act. 

– 2 –

“All mortals are beloved children of God. As President David O. McKay taught, ‘There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for one’s fellowmen.’” -Dallin H. Oaks (April 2026 Conference)

➜ Sometimes when answering questions we move on quickly. It can be helpful to pause and look again to see what else we can discover. This next question may be one of those moments.

  • Why do you think God considers it an expression of love for Him when we show love to other people?
  • What does this tell you about God? What does this tell you about You?

As you conclude today’s study, consider what you want to remember or what you want to ask or share with God.

Ideas for Further Study

An Example of Loving an Enemy

  • 🗲A story from President Oaks about a nurse with a difficult patient who experienced the gift of “love from our Heavenly Father to this man.”

More about Loving God by Loving Others

More about Unconditional Love

Learn about Forgiveness

  • 🗲Loving or forgiving enemies is not approving of their actions, it’s more about abandoning “feelings of anger, bitterness, or revenge.” See Gospel Library: Topics and Questions: Forgiveness. 

How to Mark Scriptures and Add Notes in Gospel Library

  • 🗲Go to the home screen of the Gospel Library app and find the Tip of the Week box (it might be yellow). Tap the 3 dot menu and choose “view all.” Search for: “Record your thoughts” and “categorize with tags.”
  • If the Tip of the Week box doesn’t show up on the home screen, tap the 3 dot menu and choose “edit home”. Find “Tip of the Week” and mark it to show up on the home screen.

*Where to Find Scripture Helps

  • In Gospel Library go to Scriptures > Scripture Helps
  • Also look for the icon links to Scriptures Helps (and other helps) which show up in Gospel Library next to scripture verses.

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