Editor’s note: “The Spoken Word” is shared by Derrick Porter each Sunday during the weekly Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square broadcast. This will be given Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. This week is No. 5,031 of the broadcast.
Love is a verb. It isn’t just a feeling or something that happens to us — rather, it’s an action word. Love is something we do. (See “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: 25th Anniversary Edition,” by Stephen R. Covey, published in 2013, p. 87-88.) The New Testament teaches this principle: Love is found and demonstrated through action.
John the Beloved wrote, “Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).
Paul the apostle also wrote about charity — a pure love — and how this divine attribute surpasses all other virtues. This pure love, he taught, acts with patience. It shows kindness. It resists jealousy, avoids self-glorification and chooses humility. It treats others with respect, seeks the welfare of others, exercises restraint, forgives freely and celebrates goodness (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
Love is both extended and received through our choices and actions. These choices not only help us to find love but also to strengthen it. Love is a decision, a choice — a choice we make every day. (For a comprehensive review on this thought, see “Love Is a Choice: Making Your Marriage and Family Stronger,” by Elder Lynn G. Robbins, published in 2015.)
I know of a great love story. In fact, I might call it one of the greatest love stories never told. Many years ago, a man and woman decided to marry. They had many happy years together, until life wasn’t so happy. A decision had to be made: Would they stay together or go their separate ways? The couple decided that everything they had built together was worth saving. And so they worked together to stay together. They chose to love.
Month after month, they patiently served one another, showing kindness in their interactions. Year after year, they humbly and freely forgave. They spent more time together and found joy in simple things. Love became an action word. Eventually, laughter replaced tears and smiles replaced fears. Today, their marriage is strong, bright and full of joy. Few knew of the quiet decision they made — to choose to love — but everyone could see the results of that choice. Love stories like theirs are not often told, but they exemplify true love.
Yes, we choose to love — because love is a verb.
Tuning in …
The “Music & the Spoken Word” broadcast is available on KSL-TV, KSL News Radio 1160AM/102.7FM, KSL.com, BYUtv, BYUradio, Dish and DirecTV, SiriusXM (Ch. 143), tabernaclechoir.org, youtube.com/TheTabernacleChoir and Amazon Alexa (must enable skill). The program is aired live on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time on these outlets. Look up broadcast information by state and city at musicandthespokenword.com/viewers-listeners/airing-schedules.
