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The Law Of Love
Paperback starts shipping April 26, 2022
"Even if we understand the idea that we should love people, we sometimes think we’re supposed to love them back onto our path instead of respecting their own journey. I’m not trying to love people into coming with me. I’m just loving people."
THE LAW OF LOVE—loving as God loves, seeking another’s healing, expecting nothing in return—is a simple principle with profound, life-changing implications. How can we live the law of love? Steve Young shares insights from his own multifaceted life as well as from others who are scientists, fellow Latter-day Saints, Anglican, atheist, Baptist, Catholic, Confucian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and secular people of wisdom, as well as from the scriptures. This practical book may shift your mindset to a more expansive worldview that just might change everything. Whether in football, work, church, or family, the law of love is undefeated.
"Even if we understand the idea that we should love people, we sometimes think we’re supposed to love them back onto our path instead of respecting their own journey. I’m not trying to love people into coming with me. I’m just loving people."
THE LAW OF LOVE—loving as God loves, seeking another’s healing, expecting nothing in return—is a simple principle with profound, life-changing implications. How can we live the law of love? Steve Young shares insights from his own multifaceted life as well as from others who are scientists, fellow Latter-day Saints, Anglican, atheist, Baptist, Catholic, Confucian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and secular people of wisdom, as well as from the scriptures. This practical book may shift your mindset to a more expansive worldview that just might change everything. Whether in football, work, church, or family, the law of love is undefeated.
208 pages, Paperback
Published April 26, 2022
84 people are currently reading
1236 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 288 reviews
May 20, 2022
Life changing! This is one you could read once a year to remind yourself of the importance of loving others as Jesus loves. Not for getting something in return, but just to love-period. Well written and relatable. This is one of my favorite quotes from Steve Young:
“Even if we understand the idea that we should love people, we sometimes think we’re supposed to love them back onto our path instead of respecting their own journey. I’m not trying to love people into coming with me. I’m just loving people."
“Even if we understand the idea that we should love people, we sometimes think we’re supposed to love them back onto our path instead of respecting their own journey. I’m not trying to love people into coming with me. I’m just loving people."
September 14, 2023
I thought I knew what to expect from this book as I had heard Steve Young interviewed about it on a few different podcasts. Here is what I expected, and what I got: a great explanation of the law of love including some helpful metaphors and great stories to illustrate its application. He teaches that the law of love is a governing force in the universe (like the law of gravity) and that it requires us to love without transaction, without expecting anything in return. It is the higher law and is essential for our growth and for the healing of us all. This book was great for me, someone who has been working to overcome my desire to “check all the boxes” and my natural inclination to live what he calls “merit-badge theology.”
Here is what I also got that I had not expected: a book that made constant reference to both of our Heavenly Parents, a book that outlined as an underlying premise the equal access to priesthood authority and power of men and women (see related talk from Pres Russell M Nelson) and how the teachings about priesthood in the scriptures, most specifically Doctrine & Covenants 121:41, are for women and men alike and give us the power phrases that relate to the priesthood and the law of love – gentle persuasion, long-suffering, meekness, and love unfeigned.
I was also so pleasantly surprised by the section toward the end of the book called THE LAW OF LOVE AND OUR LGBTQ+ SIBLINGS. He said that his exploration of the law of love really started with our LGBTQ+ siblings. He stated and restated how much he has learned from his interactions with that community about God’s love and our need to see each other in deeper ways. It really resonated with me as I share many of the feelings he expressed.
I expected lots of quotations from the scriptures and General Conference, and they were prominent. But in this aspect again I was surprised. I enjoyed seeing referenced the work of theologian Derek Knox of BeyondtheBlockPodcast.com, the Givens (whose work I love), Tom Christofferson, Mother Teresa, scientists, leaders of other faiths and philosophers. As he said, if the law of love is universal, we should see evidences and examples of it EVERYWHERE. I appreciated him bringing in such varied sources.
I originally purchased the audiobook. After listening, I bought the print copy so I could go back and find the many quotations – his and others’ – that impacted me. I also appreciated at the end of the book a concise summary of some questions we can ask ourselves as we work toward applying this law in our own lives and I wanted to have a copy of that.
I started the book with high expectations and came away with more than I had hoped for.
Here is what I also got that I had not expected: a book that made constant reference to both of our Heavenly Parents, a book that outlined as an underlying premise the equal access to priesthood authority and power of men and women (see related talk from Pres Russell M Nelson) and how the teachings about priesthood in the scriptures, most specifically Doctrine & Covenants 121:41, are for women and men alike and give us the power phrases that relate to the priesthood and the law of love – gentle persuasion, long-suffering, meekness, and love unfeigned.
I was also so pleasantly surprised by the section toward the end of the book called THE LAW OF LOVE AND OUR LGBTQ+ SIBLINGS. He said that his exploration of the law of love really started with our LGBTQ+ siblings. He stated and restated how much he has learned from his interactions with that community about God’s love and our need to see each other in deeper ways. It really resonated with me as I share many of the feelings he expressed.
I expected lots of quotations from the scriptures and General Conference, and they were prominent. But in this aspect again I was surprised. I enjoyed seeing referenced the work of theologian Derek Knox of BeyondtheBlockPodcast.com, the Givens (whose work I love), Tom Christofferson, Mother Teresa, scientists, leaders of other faiths and philosophers. As he said, if the law of love is universal, we should see evidences and examples of it EVERYWHERE. I appreciated him bringing in such varied sources.
I originally purchased the audiobook. After listening, I bought the print copy so I could go back and find the many quotations – his and others’ – that impacted me. I also appreciated at the end of the book a concise summary of some questions we can ask ourselves as we work toward applying this law in our own lives and I wanted to have a copy of that.
I started the book with high expectations and came away with more than I had hoped for.
May 11, 2022
Considering the author of this book, I was anticipating a book of anecdotes about sports and other light weight, fun to read stuff. Instead, this book was a compilation of insights into how we treat each other and the power of love and acceptance, of inclusion and having more non-transactional events in our lives. One of the more impactful books I have read about our responsibility as humans to treat each other with love and respect.
June 5, 2022
fAmazing he can write agout football and love equally as well
April 24, 2023
I'm sorry, Mom. I tried. I really did. But I just couldn't.
November 22, 2024
The theory behind this book is more clearly stated than is the ability to actually practice what is discussed but I enjoyed the concept and I will continue to strive to get to that point but have a long way to go. I liked how he discussed things being transactional and non transactional and I've tried better thinking about that. Sometimes things need to be transactional. If I buy a ticket for someone with the expectation of being paid back is different than if I had an extra ticket, invited a friend because I knew they'd enjoy it and don't expect payment... Anyway. It inspired me to do better which always counts as a good book...
August 18, 2022
A read that dramatically shifted my perspective and understanding of the commandment to “love one another.”
Young provides insight gained through his experiences leaning into the law of love, and how it changed his track from transactional love (which is where we all start) to the finishing track of selfless love.
The quote that stopped my in my tracks was, “We are a church of a priesthood of healing.”
That’s it. That’s the point. To love one another and aid in each other’s healing, and not because we are trying to get them back on our prescribed path. We love because as we do so, selflessly, we offer healing.
Young provides insight gained through his experiences leaning into the law of love, and how it changed his track from transactional love (which is where we all start) to the finishing track of selfless love.
The quote that stopped my in my tracks was, “We are a church of a priesthood of healing.”
That’s it. That’s the point. To love one another and aid in each other’s healing, and not because we are trying to get them back on our prescribed path. We love because as we do so, selflessly, we offer healing.
October 19, 2022
I was never a Steve Young fan - became a football (Cowboys) fan in 1992 while I was attending the University of Utah, so yeah.... I wasn't planning on reading this when I first saw it, but I heard good things about it and was given a copy for my birthday, so decided to give it a try.
Five stars for the concept, three stars for the writing and flow of the book = 4 stars.
Five stars for the concept, three stars for the writing and flow of the book = 4 stars.
March 7, 2023
One of the best books I’ve ever read.
February 4, 2024
This book contains powerful, but simple ideas on how to truly incorporate the gospel truth of loving our neighbor. Realizing that this is often more easier said than done, Young focuses on a step by step approach to aid in changing attitudes, preconceived notions, and judgments. I liked how he emphasized that a common human emotion is wanting someone to pay for the injustices and mistreatment brought upon us, but that is exactly what Jesus Christ has already so willingly done.
He incorporates both his personal experiences as well as those of others which demonstrate how to apply some of these love laws, and this technique is always the most helpful for me. His car accident story told at the end of the book is particularly compelling. I am trying to extend more grace to others, which is a definite long term goal, and this book aids in the application of looking at others the way Christ would.
He incorporates both his personal experiences as well as those of others which demonstrate how to apply some of these love laws, and this technique is always the most helpful for me. His car accident story told at the end of the book is particularly compelling. I am trying to extend more grace to others, which is a definite long term goal, and this book aids in the application of looking at others the way Christ would.
June 23, 2025
My mom gifted copies of this book to all her children. I struggled with it. I tired of the ALL the repeated words and sentences. The angle of the spiritual content was good. When he tried to link the spiritual principles to stories in his life it felt weak. I think it would have been better if he didn’t try to bridge the two. The writing was what you’d expect of an athlete with a Deseret Book deal.
July 19, 2022
Like Patrick Q. Mason’s book, “Restoration,” add this to my small literary cannon of LDS books I recommend. Any synopsis I write will not do it justice. LOVE is what I want to hear preached more from the pulpit, for ourselves and others. The law of love seems obvious, but I think we overlook how incredibly difficult it is to love like Jesus because we operate with the assumption that Christianity makes loving easy. At present day, I think in a lot of ways Christianity makes loving others (and ourselves) harder. But that’s not the way God intends it. Unfortunately, we’ve lost sight of how many problems could be solved or lessened if we led with unconditional love. THE work is to LOVE.
I liked Steve Young before, but after reading this, I’m a full fan girl. If playing on Sundays turned him into this kind of person, I’m putting all my kids in sabbath day sports ASAP. Jokes. I got them.
I liked Steve Young before, but after reading this, I’m a full fan girl. If playing on Sundays turned him into this kind of person, I’m putting all my kids in sabbath day sports ASAP. Jokes. I got them.
June 22, 2023
Definitely recommend to anyone working through a faith crisis big or small. Cuts through the harmful traditions / culture to highlight the real heart of the gospel. ❤️
January 28, 2023
3.5
I loved the concept of The Law of Love. Steve Young teaches the difference between transactional love (merit badge analogy) and loving as God loves. Some of the stories he shared were compelling and interesting. There were a handful of times he came across as preachy. The book began to drag on and at times it was repetitive. He's not a great writer, but I did love the message.
I loved the concept of The Law of Love. Steve Young teaches the difference between transactional love (merit badge analogy) and loving as God loves. Some of the stories he shared were compelling and interesting. There were a handful of times he came across as preachy. The book began to drag on and at times it was repetitive. He's not a great writer, but I did love the message.
October 5, 2023
Truly illuminating! He talks about the difference between transactional obedience vs the higher law. I really loved the chapter about laying the 4 words from D+C 121 on any situation (long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, and love unfeigned). This is not what I was expecting from the football hero. I HIGHLY recommend this!!
July 30, 2022
Lots to ponder in this brief book. Contains some simple yet profound wisdom as well as stories that will make you rethink your perspective.
August 6, 2022
This book is a good reminder of the importance of love, pure love, loving like God, and remembering that love should be more than transactional. We should work to really see people as God does and be there for them. As we want to do the Lord's will, we can help others and ourselves. Loving God is more than just being obedient; it's loving like He does. Here are some good quotes:
"'We live in a world that is held together by love--organized by love, maintained by love, and nurtured by love. Ultimately it will be redeemed by love and even now it is in the process of being redeemed by the love and kindness that we offer to each other' (Chieko Okazaki, p. vii)."
"'Love is the greatest of all the commandments--all others hang upon it. It is our focus as followers of the living Christ' (Joseph B. Wirthlin, p. vii)."
"We chatted the whole way to the hotel, and something miraculous happened. It was as if we had seen each other--really seen each other--for the first time... I genuinely wanted to know how he and his family were doing (p. 4)."
"The law of love is loving as God loves, seeking another's healing, expecting nothing in return (p. 6)."
"The law of love is the highest of all the laws... the law of love can transform everything (p. 7)."
"The foundational principle of the restored gospel is that we are here to leaven and grow... The legacy of my life is seeking to heal others... I am not an expert on the law of love. I am in process (p. 9)."
"The hope of eternal life... is the ultimate destination that I seek. How I get there begins with a well-lit path of covenant and sacrifice (p. 10)."
"We cannot get where we want to be y pursing a transactional relationship with God... I need a Savior to make up the difference between my best efforts and what God requires... if I'm only pursuing the rewards, I'm not necessarily becoming more Christlike, more loving (p. 11)."
"We literally can't be a Zion congregation without ALL of us, together (p. 12)."
"The Church is like a hospital. Sometimes you're the doctor and sometimes you're the patient. No need to get judgmental or holier-than-thou when it's your turn to be the doctor. Soon enough you'll need help too (p. 12)."
"'Salvation cannot be bought with the currency of obedience; it is purchased by the blood of the Son of God' (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, p. 12)."
"'It is our duty and calling... to gather up all the truths in the world... wherever it may be found... and bring it to Zion' (Brigham Young, p. 13)."
"Spirituality needs to be practical, in the dirt. My spirituality is based on science. God is the great Scientist, as the Creator of the universe and everything in it using scientific principles (p. 13)."
"The deeper he looked into science, the more beauty he saw and the more intent... there is no scientific reason for love (p. 14)."
"'The elegance behind life's complexity is indeed reason for awe, and for belief in God. I was astounded by the elegance of the human DNA code. For me, the experience of sequencing the human genome... was both a stunning scientific achievement and an occasion of worship' (Francis Collins, p. 15)."
"When I think about Zion... I realize it has to be full of people who are living the law of love, seeking others' healing without transaction... where we receive solely, wholly, fully. We give the same way (p. 16)."
"Part of our DNA is this eternal place. It's meant to be centropic, perpetual... The more we know, the more we come into a oneness with the great Scientist (p. 17)."
"Keeping the commandments sometimes felt like... treating God like an ATM that dispensed blessings if I inserted the 'currency of obedience' instead of enjoying that heavenly relationship because of my love for God (p. 18)."
"Some relationships ARE transactional in this life, and that's fine (p. 19)."
"All the obedience in the world won't do me a bit of good without charity, that pure love (p. 23)."
"'Why did God put the first commandment [to love God] first? Because He knew that if we truly loved Him we would want to keep all of His other commandments' (Ezra Taft Benson, p. 23)."
"Ministering is no longer for credit. It's no longer a transaction. The emphasis is now on loving and healing the family, not making a visit and recording it... It's purely the law of love: loving as God loves, with the intent to heal, seeking nothing in return. Over time, loving as God loves becomes less a choice and more just who we are (p. 25)."
"Embedded in those very covenants with God are opportunities to heal others... We don't heal--it's Christ who heals. And God calls us... to join in this healing work (p. 27)."
"When we think that checking off ordinances is the way to arrive at a special status, elite and complete, we are damning ourselves from the beauty of the law of love (p. 29)."
"There is room for everyone. There is no limit on salvation or exaltation. We want to help everyone get there... Taking care of my salvation IS reaching out and helping others find their salvation as well. And that partly saves us (p. 30)."
"The love that he had for others was ennobling, empowering (p. 34)."
"Our spirits expand when we think abundantly (p. 35)."
"'Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy' (Ezekiel 16:49, p. 37)."
"It's the ultimate sin of transaction, the ultimate self-interest: to obey the law to the degradation of everyone, including yourself. That kind of obedience without love is an extreme example of strict obedience gone haywire (p. 39)."
"Seeking self-interested righteousness became absurd at some point (p. 39)."
"Pharisees and Sadducees in Jesus's time lost focus on where the law was pointing--to the Savior--because they focused on the law itself. Obedience became just a list of things to get done so that they could show their love for a good cause (p. 40)."
"'None is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart... he must needs have charity... charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever' (Moroni 7, p. 41)."
"Love is an action word. It's an intent to find healing, to see another as fully human, a child of the Divine (p. 43)."
"The law of love has to be pure (p. 43)."
"Mormon lived through a lifetime of war and still understood the law of love from such a deep place (p. 44)."
"'The reason 'charity never faileth' is because we aren't in charge of the supply... Love comes from our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, spilling over into our own hearts until we simply brim over with love into the lives of others' (Chieko Okazaki, p. 44)."
"'We must notice the tribulation of others and try to help. That will be especially hard when we are being sorely tested ourselves' (Henry B. Eyring, p. 46)."
"That's why the law of love is so wonderful--because it sends me away from myself (p. 47)."
"The law of love is boundless. Its healing force, its selfless nature can come from any direction at any time, even from the example of a two-year-old (p. 49)."
"The Fall was a plan to allow us to be more like God... we could learn better how to love, trust, and be educated by painful and soul-stretching experiences, both bitter and sweet (p. 50)."
"Satan's power is to bruise, but Jesus's power is exponentially greater (p. 52)."
"'One of the ways Satan wants us to manipulate others is by dwelling upon and even exaggerating the evil in the world' (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, p. 52)."
"'Opposition gives us the traction that moves us forward' (Mark L. Pace, p. 53)."
"'The more [Elder Maxwell] desired the gift of charity--to love as Christ loves--the more he sensed how dear the price might be. Christ's love is so deep that He took upon Himself the sins and afflictions of all mankind' (Bruce C. Hafen, p. 54)."
"Some people suffer just to suffer, but others use their suffering to become more Christlike (p. 55)."
"Heart-deep change doesn't come from either coercion or incentives. It can only come through love (p. 57)."
"In seeking others' healing, my eyes can be transfigured, and I can see other humans as God sees them (p. 58)."
"''Can't you see that everyone around you is a sacred being?'' (Robert C. Gay, p. 59)"
"'Live your religion' (p. 60)."
"'It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses' (C.S. Lewis, p. 61)."
"'What is our ministry?' (p. 62)"
"God gave Enoch transfigured eyesight, that ability to see deeply into the souls of others... When we see, really see others, our hearts swell as wide as eternity, right there with Enoch. That transfigured eyesight leads us to this higher law of love (p. 65)."
"Our activity in the Church can be transactional... But the gospel itself is the nontransactional, less visible things. It's like we mistake the 'form of godliness' for the 'power thereof' (p. 67)."
"Living the law of love is not just another thing to do... it's how I engage the world... the law of love defines my relationships and how I think about other human beings and about God (p. 68)."
"I seek to love God with my whole soul. But how can I show God my love? What does my love for God look like? It starts with obedience--but it doesn't end there (p. 69)."
"Obedience is submission to God; it's surrender to His will (p. 69)."
"Constantly evaluating our own righteousness... keeps us centered on ourselves and our 'performance' instead of focusing on our love for God or for others (p. 70)."
"Reaching for the highest level of nurturing and healing others--that's how Jesus asks us to show that we love Him. He asks us to demonstrate our love for Him by seeking to heal others (p. 71)."
"The law of obedience is the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (p. 71)."
"'If you want to love God, you have to learn to love and serve the people' (Harold B. Lee, p. 72)."
"Carol completely abandoned anything else in her life other than God's will, doing everything she could to be available for God's work. Then God could use her for an errand that needed to get done immediately, over in the bread aisle (p. 76)."
"When I think about what heaven must be like, it's where we have lost ourselves, and thereby we have become the full measure of who we can be (p. 76)."
"Christ is here to heal us, to provide an opportunity for us to grow and to be educated (p. 77)."
"The full measure of heaven can only come through other people (p. 78)."
"'The needs of people, you just never know. You have to go, you have to ask, you have to see. Visiting is so important because you have to see them, you have to knock on their door (p. 79).'"
"'We want you to know we're here, we love you.'... 'I didn't know who to call... when I needed somebody, I decided to call the guy that came to my door all the time' (p. 80)."
"To be a Saint is to be spiritually athletic... I've never pulled more muscles or twisted more knees than while trying to live those four power qualities: gentle persuasion, long-suffering, meekness, and love unfeigned (p. 89)."
"Zion is always open to all. There is no scarcity of salvation. There is room for everyone (p. 89)."
"We can't judge another person's journey--that's between them and God (p. 90)."
"Some people... think they will lose their identity if they follow Christ... You bring your whole self to the law of love, in a selfless way... Then God expands you (p. 90)."
"My first instinct was that I wanted to copy Joe Montana... But I quickly realized that copying him was not going to work (p. 96)."
"No matter how I felt about it, to this young boy I was Mickey Mouse's bodyguard (p. 105)."
"Humility and being vulnerable are some of the foundational principles of the law of love (p. 106)."
"How do you make people feel (p. 108)?"
"How can I bring healing to this situation (p. 114)?"
"'God's love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there' (Thomas S. Monson, p. 116)."
"Your job each day is to ask God whom you need to help, who needs healing, and then go do it (p. 118)."
"The congregation is the prime place to practice the law of love. Not just to go to church seeking
a sense of righteousness for myself, but seeking to follow the higher law: I go to church to see others. To really see others. The smallest of things that I can do for others to make them feel better, to feel forgiven, to feel enriched, to be seen and understood, to feel heard because I listened to their stories and their backgrounds of why and how they had gotten here... It's a practice for transfigured eyesight (p. 119)."
"'God and Christ love us with a mature, perfect love' (Marion D. Hanks, p. 120)."
"Be a healer in every relationship that you're in (p. 123)."
"If Christ were here today, I think He would have me sit down immediately and listen instead of talk (p. 125)."
"'Be faithful and diligent... and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love' (D&C 6:20, p. 129)."
"What if my only purpose for going to the temple is to seek a refined sense of inspiration for those people that I could go heal, the dead and the living? Not for myself, but for others? (p. 130)"
"'The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people' (Marvin J. Ashton, p. 131)."
"'Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy (Thomas Merton, p. 132).'"
"She was 'seeking the face of God in everything, everyone, all the time, and his hand in every happening. Each day I see Jesus Christ in all his distressing disguises' (Mother Teresa, p. 133)."
"If healing is the endgame, the only way is to follow Christ's words and example. Stand in their shoes, carry their burdens, essentially lose yourself in the other (p. 138)."
"The law of love is not a quantitative experience. It has no merit badge. It has no sense of reward (p. 140)."
"A life should never be valued based on its utility. That's not the way God sees us. God loves us for who we are, wherever we are in life (p. 141)."
"'Every relationship of importance in our lives is enriched when approached with the spirit of greater concern for the needs of the other person' (Tom Christofferson, p. 142)."
"'Anything that is brought by fear doesn't last. But anything that is done by love lasts forever' (Arun Gandhi, p. 151)."
"For some reason, Jesus was sent to heal that one man, then He left. Like Jesus, we only need to find out what God wants us to do, and do that. 'God's will: nothing more, nothing less, nothing else' (p. 152)."
"'Keep a place in your heart for forgiveness, and when it comes, welcome it in (p. 154).'"
"Even when you're wronged, the wrong sits with the Savior. It's His job, not mine, to judge and to hold others accountable (p. 158)."
"A nontransactional way of looking at forgiveness sounds like this: 'They may never in this lifetime understand how they hurt me. But their sin is between them and God (p. 163).'"
"The law of love shows us the way to broaden our world to include everyone (p. 164)."
"Staying separate and acting like a bunch of independent contractors limits our possibilities (p. 173)."
"As you seek to shift to a law of love mindset, seeking another's healing with no expectation of anything in return, you may be surprised to see that healing comes to you as well, and you discover that the thing you want most is finally in reach: that place of perpetuity and love (p. 183)."
"We are divine in nature. God loves and cares about us intimately and specifically. We were together before this life. Each of us chose to take a body in faith. We are here for an education to be more like God. Christ can heal and redeem everyone. We can help Him. To do it we must LOVE like GOD! (p. 190)"
"'We live in a world that is held together by love--organized by love, maintained by love, and nurtured by love. Ultimately it will be redeemed by love and even now it is in the process of being redeemed by the love and kindness that we offer to each other' (Chieko Okazaki, p. vii)."
"'Love is the greatest of all the commandments--all others hang upon it. It is our focus as followers of the living Christ' (Joseph B. Wirthlin, p. vii)."
"We chatted the whole way to the hotel, and something miraculous happened. It was as if we had seen each other--really seen each other--for the first time... I genuinely wanted to know how he and his family were doing (p. 4)."
"The law of love is loving as God loves, seeking another's healing, expecting nothing in return (p. 6)."
"The law of love is the highest of all the laws... the law of love can transform everything (p. 7)."
"The foundational principle of the restored gospel is that we are here to leaven and grow... The legacy of my life is seeking to heal others... I am not an expert on the law of love. I am in process (p. 9)."
"The hope of eternal life... is the ultimate destination that I seek. How I get there begins with a well-lit path of covenant and sacrifice (p. 10)."
"We cannot get where we want to be y pursing a transactional relationship with God... I need a Savior to make up the difference between my best efforts and what God requires... if I'm only pursuing the rewards, I'm not necessarily becoming more Christlike, more loving (p. 11)."
"We literally can't be a Zion congregation without ALL of us, together (p. 12)."
"The Church is like a hospital. Sometimes you're the doctor and sometimes you're the patient. No need to get judgmental or holier-than-thou when it's your turn to be the doctor. Soon enough you'll need help too (p. 12)."
"'Salvation cannot be bought with the currency of obedience; it is purchased by the blood of the Son of God' (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, p. 12)."
"'It is our duty and calling... to gather up all the truths in the world... wherever it may be found... and bring it to Zion' (Brigham Young, p. 13)."
"Spirituality needs to be practical, in the dirt. My spirituality is based on science. God is the great Scientist, as the Creator of the universe and everything in it using scientific principles (p. 13)."
"The deeper he looked into science, the more beauty he saw and the more intent... there is no scientific reason for love (p. 14)."
"'The elegance behind life's complexity is indeed reason for awe, and for belief in God. I was astounded by the elegance of the human DNA code. For me, the experience of sequencing the human genome... was both a stunning scientific achievement and an occasion of worship' (Francis Collins, p. 15)."
"When I think about Zion... I realize it has to be full of people who are living the law of love, seeking others' healing without transaction... where we receive solely, wholly, fully. We give the same way (p. 16)."
"Part of our DNA is this eternal place. It's meant to be centropic, perpetual... The more we know, the more we come into a oneness with the great Scientist (p. 17)."
"Keeping the commandments sometimes felt like... treating God like an ATM that dispensed blessings if I inserted the 'currency of obedience' instead of enjoying that heavenly relationship because of my love for God (p. 18)."
"Some relationships ARE transactional in this life, and that's fine (p. 19)."
"All the obedience in the world won't do me a bit of good without charity, that pure love (p. 23)."
"'Why did God put the first commandment [to love God] first? Because He knew that if we truly loved Him we would want to keep all of His other commandments' (Ezra Taft Benson, p. 23)."
"Ministering is no longer for credit. It's no longer a transaction. The emphasis is now on loving and healing the family, not making a visit and recording it... It's purely the law of love: loving as God loves, with the intent to heal, seeking nothing in return. Over time, loving as God loves becomes less a choice and more just who we are (p. 25)."
"Embedded in those very covenants with God are opportunities to heal others... We don't heal--it's Christ who heals. And God calls us... to join in this healing work (p. 27)."
"When we think that checking off ordinances is the way to arrive at a special status, elite and complete, we are damning ourselves from the beauty of the law of love (p. 29)."
"There is room for everyone. There is no limit on salvation or exaltation. We want to help everyone get there... Taking care of my salvation IS reaching out and helping others find their salvation as well. And that partly saves us (p. 30)."
"The love that he had for others was ennobling, empowering (p. 34)."
"Our spirits expand when we think abundantly (p. 35)."
"'Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy' (Ezekiel 16:49, p. 37)."
"It's the ultimate sin of transaction, the ultimate self-interest: to obey the law to the degradation of everyone, including yourself. That kind of obedience without love is an extreme example of strict obedience gone haywire (p. 39)."
"Seeking self-interested righteousness became absurd at some point (p. 39)."
"Pharisees and Sadducees in Jesus's time lost focus on where the law was pointing--to the Savior--because they focused on the law itself. Obedience became just a list of things to get done so that they could show their love for a good cause (p. 40)."
"'None is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart... he must needs have charity... charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever' (Moroni 7, p. 41)."
"Love is an action word. It's an intent to find healing, to see another as fully human, a child of the Divine (p. 43)."
"The law of love has to be pure (p. 43)."
"Mormon lived through a lifetime of war and still understood the law of love from such a deep place (p. 44)."
"'The reason 'charity never faileth' is because we aren't in charge of the supply... Love comes from our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, spilling over into our own hearts until we simply brim over with love into the lives of others' (Chieko Okazaki, p. 44)."
"'We must notice the tribulation of others and try to help. That will be especially hard when we are being sorely tested ourselves' (Henry B. Eyring, p. 46)."
"That's why the law of love is so wonderful--because it sends me away from myself (p. 47)."
"The law of love is boundless. Its healing force, its selfless nature can come from any direction at any time, even from the example of a two-year-old (p. 49)."
"The Fall was a plan to allow us to be more like God... we could learn better how to love, trust, and be educated by painful and soul-stretching experiences, both bitter and sweet (p. 50)."
"Satan's power is to bruise, but Jesus's power is exponentially greater (p. 52)."
"'One of the ways Satan wants us to manipulate others is by dwelling upon and even exaggerating the evil in the world' (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, p. 52)."
"'Opposition gives us the traction that moves us forward' (Mark L. Pace, p. 53)."
"'The more [Elder Maxwell] desired the gift of charity--to love as Christ loves--the more he sensed how dear the price might be. Christ's love is so deep that He took upon Himself the sins and afflictions of all mankind' (Bruce C. Hafen, p. 54)."
"Some people suffer just to suffer, but others use their suffering to become more Christlike (p. 55)."
"Heart-deep change doesn't come from either coercion or incentives. It can only come through love (p. 57)."
"In seeking others' healing, my eyes can be transfigured, and I can see other humans as God sees them (p. 58)."
"''Can't you see that everyone around you is a sacred being?'' (Robert C. Gay, p. 59)"
"'Live your religion' (p. 60)."
"'It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses' (C.S. Lewis, p. 61)."
"'What is our ministry?' (p. 62)"
"God gave Enoch transfigured eyesight, that ability to see deeply into the souls of others... When we see, really see others, our hearts swell as wide as eternity, right there with Enoch. That transfigured eyesight leads us to this higher law of love (p. 65)."
"Our activity in the Church can be transactional... But the gospel itself is the nontransactional, less visible things. It's like we mistake the 'form of godliness' for the 'power thereof' (p. 67)."
"Living the law of love is not just another thing to do... it's how I engage the world... the law of love defines my relationships and how I think about other human beings and about God (p. 68)."
"I seek to love God with my whole soul. But how can I show God my love? What does my love for God look like? It starts with obedience--but it doesn't end there (p. 69)."
"Obedience is submission to God; it's surrender to His will (p. 69)."
"Constantly evaluating our own righteousness... keeps us centered on ourselves and our 'performance' instead of focusing on our love for God or for others (p. 70)."
"Reaching for the highest level of nurturing and healing others--that's how Jesus asks us to show that we love Him. He asks us to demonstrate our love for Him by seeking to heal others (p. 71)."
"The law of obedience is the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (p. 71)."
"'If you want to love God, you have to learn to love and serve the people' (Harold B. Lee, p. 72)."
"Carol completely abandoned anything else in her life other than God's will, doing everything she could to be available for God's work. Then God could use her for an errand that needed to get done immediately, over in the bread aisle (p. 76)."
"When I think about what heaven must be like, it's where we have lost ourselves, and thereby we have become the full measure of who we can be (p. 76)."
"Christ is here to heal us, to provide an opportunity for us to grow and to be educated (p. 77)."
"The full measure of heaven can only come through other people (p. 78)."
"'The needs of people, you just never know. You have to go, you have to ask, you have to see. Visiting is so important because you have to see them, you have to knock on their door (p. 79).'"
"'We want you to know we're here, we love you.'... 'I didn't know who to call... when I needed somebody, I decided to call the guy that came to my door all the time' (p. 80)."
"To be a Saint is to be spiritually athletic... I've never pulled more muscles or twisted more knees than while trying to live those four power qualities: gentle persuasion, long-suffering, meekness, and love unfeigned (p. 89)."
"Zion is always open to all. There is no scarcity of salvation. There is room for everyone (p. 89)."
"We can't judge another person's journey--that's between them and God (p. 90)."
"Some people... think they will lose their identity if they follow Christ... You bring your whole self to the law of love, in a selfless way... Then God expands you (p. 90)."
"My first instinct was that I wanted to copy Joe Montana... But I quickly realized that copying him was not going to work (p. 96)."
"No matter how I felt about it, to this young boy I was Mickey Mouse's bodyguard (p. 105)."
"Humility and being vulnerable are some of the foundational principles of the law of love (p. 106)."
"How do you make people feel (p. 108)?"
"How can I bring healing to this situation (p. 114)?"
"'God's love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there' (Thomas S. Monson, p. 116)."
"Your job each day is to ask God whom you need to help, who needs healing, and then go do it (p. 118)."
"The congregation is the prime place to practice the law of love. Not just to go to church seeking
a sense of righteousness for myself, but seeking to follow the higher law: I go to church to see others. To really see others. The smallest of things that I can do for others to make them feel better, to feel forgiven, to feel enriched, to be seen and understood, to feel heard because I listened to their stories and their backgrounds of why and how they had gotten here... It's a practice for transfigured eyesight (p. 119)."
"'God and Christ love us with a mature, perfect love' (Marion D. Hanks, p. 120)."
"Be a healer in every relationship that you're in (p. 123)."
"If Christ were here today, I think He would have me sit down immediately and listen instead of talk (p. 125)."
"'Be faithful and diligent... and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love' (D&C 6:20, p. 129)."
"What if my only purpose for going to the temple is to seek a refined sense of inspiration for those people that I could go heal, the dead and the living? Not for myself, but for others? (p. 130)"
"'The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people' (Marvin J. Ashton, p. 131)."
"'Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy (Thomas Merton, p. 132).'"
"She was 'seeking the face of God in everything, everyone, all the time, and his hand in every happening. Each day I see Jesus Christ in all his distressing disguises' (Mother Teresa, p. 133)."
"If healing is the endgame, the only way is to follow Christ's words and example. Stand in their shoes, carry their burdens, essentially lose yourself in the other (p. 138)."
"The law of love is not a quantitative experience. It has no merit badge. It has no sense of reward (p. 140)."
"A life should never be valued based on its utility. That's not the way God sees us. God loves us for who we are, wherever we are in life (p. 141)."
"'Every relationship of importance in our lives is enriched when approached with the spirit of greater concern for the needs of the other person' (Tom Christofferson, p. 142)."
"'Anything that is brought by fear doesn't last. But anything that is done by love lasts forever' (Arun Gandhi, p. 151)."
"For some reason, Jesus was sent to heal that one man, then He left. Like Jesus, we only need to find out what God wants us to do, and do that. 'God's will: nothing more, nothing less, nothing else' (p. 152)."
"'Keep a place in your heart for forgiveness, and when it comes, welcome it in (p. 154).'"
"Even when you're wronged, the wrong sits with the Savior. It's His job, not mine, to judge and to hold others accountable (p. 158)."
"A nontransactional way of looking at forgiveness sounds like this: 'They may never in this lifetime understand how they hurt me. But their sin is between them and God (p. 163).'"
"The law of love shows us the way to broaden our world to include everyone (p. 164)."
"Staying separate and acting like a bunch of independent contractors limits our possibilities (p. 173)."
"As you seek to shift to a law of love mindset, seeking another's healing with no expectation of anything in return, you may be surprised to see that healing comes to you as well, and you discover that the thing you want most is finally in reach: that place of perpetuity and love (p. 183)."
"We are divine in nature. God loves and cares about us intimately and specifically. We were together before this life. Each of us chose to take a body in faith. We are here for an education to be more like God. Christ can heal and redeem everyone. We can help Him. To do it we must LOVE like GOD! (p. 190)"
January 15, 2023
5 stars for the ideas in this book. Having just read Adam Miller’s Original Grace last month, the writing felt a little simplistic at times, but the message is life changing and spot on. I have nothing but admiration for Steve Young, and I appreciated how vulnerable he was as he shared some of his insecurities and challenges. I highly recommend this book. Here are a few favorite quotes I want to keep thinking about:
“Each person has to… find the full measure… of their creation. We should be careful to respect how complex and intimate that is, and honor others as they go through that same process. We can’t judge another person’s journey—that’s between them and God. It’s not our journey, and we just can’t know what God is up to in their lives. That journey is personal and private and singular.”
“We may see others as a problem to be fixed (preferably in OUR way) instead of people to be loved. We may see other people as obstacles to our journey instead of relationships of love and support. A wayward family member who torpedoes our goal of ‘no empty chairs’ in our family circle in heaven… Someone whose path is calling them in a different direction from mine—still a wonderful path, and right for them, just different from mine… Even if we understand the idea that we should love people, we sometimes think we’re supposed to love them back onto our path instead of respecting their own journey. I’m not trying to love people into coming with me. I’m just loving people. No expectations, no transaction. They and God will figure out their journey; my job is to love them along the way.”
“If I have selflessly sought to heal someone, I have done the work that God sent me here to do.”
“If we aren’t careful, exact obedience to a law can amount to nothing more than seeking a transactional relationship with the Divine. God asks me to be obedient. When I am, I receive righteousness and blessings. But if my obedience is only about seeking blessings, it will rot over time because of self-focus. It’s all about what I can get, not what I can give to God or anyone else. Just like the Pharisees and Sadducees. I could spend all my life seeking righteousness and miss Jesus Christ standing right in front of me.”
“The law of love… sends me away from myself. It doesn’t tell me to quit trying to be better; it just asks me to stop thinking about myself. I stop being so motivated to be perfect, thinking about how I need to measure up, and start focusing more on how I can try to heal others. That’s the secret. In striving to heal others, I myself am healed.”
“Sometimes we think of suffering as the result of a flawed system. But what if suffering is the point—what if it IS the system.”
“Each person has to… find the full measure… of their creation. We should be careful to respect how complex and intimate that is, and honor others as they go through that same process. We can’t judge another person’s journey—that’s between them and God. It’s not our journey, and we just can’t know what God is up to in their lives. That journey is personal and private and singular.”
“We may see others as a problem to be fixed (preferably in OUR way) instead of people to be loved. We may see other people as obstacles to our journey instead of relationships of love and support. A wayward family member who torpedoes our goal of ‘no empty chairs’ in our family circle in heaven… Someone whose path is calling them in a different direction from mine—still a wonderful path, and right for them, just different from mine… Even if we understand the idea that we should love people, we sometimes think we’re supposed to love them back onto our path instead of respecting their own journey. I’m not trying to love people into coming with me. I’m just loving people. No expectations, no transaction. They and God will figure out their journey; my job is to love them along the way.”
“If I have selflessly sought to heal someone, I have done the work that God sent me here to do.”
“If we aren’t careful, exact obedience to a law can amount to nothing more than seeking a transactional relationship with the Divine. God asks me to be obedient. When I am, I receive righteousness and blessings. But if my obedience is only about seeking blessings, it will rot over time because of self-focus. It’s all about what I can get, not what I can give to God or anyone else. Just like the Pharisees and Sadducees. I could spend all my life seeking righteousness and miss Jesus Christ standing right in front of me.”
“The law of love… sends me away from myself. It doesn’t tell me to quit trying to be better; it just asks me to stop thinking about myself. I stop being so motivated to be perfect, thinking about how I need to measure up, and start focusing more on how I can try to heal others. That’s the secret. In striving to heal others, I myself am healed.”
“Sometimes we think of suffering as the result of a flawed system. But what if suffering is the point—what if it IS the system.”
September 29, 2025
4.5 - I read this one slowly over time with a pen in hand. I'm always hoping to be a better person and thought this looked quite interesting when I first saw it. It's principle is basic - live in a way that you are loving other people. Be patient, seek God's assistance (totally religion based here - specifically LDS), treat others well just for its own sake, not to get something in return... I underlines a lot. He was pretty repetitive about some things, but I feel that in books like this, it is sort of needed to really hammer concepts in to help the reader remember. As he was a football player for a huge chunk of his life, there are quite a few related stories in here, which I actually liked because he learned some of his lessons of goodness through his interactions with others there. Life lessons are all around us, right? I appreciated this book and having heard him in a few interviews and met him in real life, just his kind and gentle nature helped me to see the sincerity in his words. I have recommended this to many people as I have been reading it. My review may not reflect how good it was, but I am excited to see what the new version The Law of Love in Action has to offer, as I am guessing it would have more practical application to it.
March 5, 2025
Great book with a message perfect for the country and world today. I’ve never read anything about Young before, so the stories where he relates his personal experiences to the principles of the law of love were the most interesting.
My favorite quote is,
“All these folks aren’t trying to be obstacles in our journey; they’re trying to figure out their own lives. These situations call for support and love from us, not disappointment or annoyance at being inconvenienced. Even if we understand the idea that we should love people, we sometimes think we’re supposed to love them back onto our path instead of respecting their own journey. I’m not trying to love people into coming with me. I’m just loving people. No expectations, no transaction. They and God will figure out their journey; my job is to love them along the way.”
My favorite quote is,
“All these folks aren’t trying to be obstacles in our journey; they’re trying to figure out their own lives. These situations call for support and love from us, not disappointment or annoyance at being inconvenienced. Even if we understand the idea that we should love people, we sometimes think we’re supposed to love them back onto our path instead of respecting their own journey. I’m not trying to love people into coming with me. I’m just loving people. No expectations, no transaction. They and God will figure out their journey; my job is to love them along the way.”
July 19, 2022
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this book! I’ve looked up to Steve for a long time, being a child of the 90’s. And he does a really good job of using his specific voice and experiences to explain how to love better. He shares several different ways his life has taught him how to love better and how he has come to use these lessons more in his life. There are some very profound thoughts, ideas, and connections.
Definitely recommend to anyone who would like to get some powerful gospel perspectives from a non-gospel scholar. It is cool to see how the gospel of Christ plays out in regular people’s lives. I know Steve Young may not be “regular” but also he isn’t a scholar or in a religious leadership position. A person just trying to do their best is inspiring. And this book is inspiring.
I really enjoyed this book! I’ve looked up to Steve for a long time, being a child of the 90’s. And he does a really good job of using his specific voice and experiences to explain how to love better. He shares several different ways his life has taught him how to love better and how he has come to use these lessons more in his life. There are some very profound thoughts, ideas, and connections.
Definitely recommend to anyone who would like to get some powerful gospel perspectives from a non-gospel scholar. It is cool to see how the gospel of Christ plays out in regular people’s lives. I know Steve Young may not be “regular” but also he isn’t a scholar or in a religious leadership position. A person just trying to do their best is inspiring. And this book is inspiring.
June 26, 2024
I grew up a fan of Steve Young, so I really enjoyed all of the football stories and anecdotes in the book.
I think I most appreciated just having the opportunity to reflect on how I can have clearer and less fear-based motives for my own behavior and how I can approach relationships of all kinds in a more loving, genuine way.
"The law of love is not just some nice idea. It is THE way to your deepest desires, the most righteous yearnings of your heart--that place of perpetuity where Christ the Healer has alchemized all pain into beauty. The only way to receive those things you most want is through the law of love."
I think I most appreciated just having the opportunity to reflect on how I can have clearer and less fear-based motives for my own behavior and how I can approach relationships of all kinds in a more loving, genuine way.
"The law of love is not just some nice idea. It is THE way to your deepest desires, the most righteous yearnings of your heart--that place of perpetuity where Christ the Healer has alchemized all pain into beauty. The only way to receive those things you most want is through the law of love."
January 30, 2024
4.75 I have not spent much time reading things about Steve Young or by Steve Young. His book really did give me a lot to think about, and I love his personal anecdotes as well. Yes I heard a podcast and found him charming as he talked about his book, he is a great salesman, yet his book really has a lot to it and in it. The podcast focused on several small stories in the book which blend in to his points so well I almost missed them (because I don't know who all the people are in the book he talked about.) I am glad I heard the podcast first and definitely glad I bought the book.
February 18, 2025
Book club Feb 2025.
I didn't know what to expect from this going in, but it was basically an expanded devotional in book form, in my mind. Steve Young talks about "the law of love," what it means, how we achieve it, and how he's seen it in his daily life. Basically (to me) the law of love = charity. I liked discussion about how if we focus too much on obedience and not enough on love and what we are becoming, it won't actually matter in the end. We can't buy our way into heaven with our obedience. I'm a checklist person, so this resonated.
I didn't know what to expect from this going in, but it was basically an expanded devotional in book form, in my mind. Steve Young talks about "the law of love," what it means, how we achieve it, and how he's seen it in his daily life. Basically (to me) the law of love = charity. I liked discussion about how if we focus too much on obedience and not enough on love and what we are becoming, it won't actually matter in the end. We can't buy our way into heaven with our obedience. I'm a checklist person, so this resonated.
May 29, 2022
This is an incredible read and brings the Law of Love into so many aspects of ones life. Steve Young is an intelligent person who is also talented, compassionate, brilliant, and down to earth great guy. He dove deep into this concept The Law of Love and yet it’s really very simple. Applying our Saviors Infinite Atonement in our lives, and having forgiveness in our hearts shows The Law of Love is real and it comes from God. I enjoyed this book so much!
May 19, 2025
I learned so much from this book. I was surprised because I didn’t expect a book of this caliber to come from a star football player. What he has learned about loving others unconditionally and how he teaches It is easy to understand but maybe harder to apply. Just because we live in a world full of distractions and we are human. I think regularly reviewing this book will help me to more fully apply to principles. I learned and make it way of life.
January 3, 2023
I love Steve Young’s explanations of the Law of Love in this book. I’ve been recommending it and referencing it to my friends/family. I listened to the audiobook version, but want to get a paper version for highlighting. Hoping to really grow out of transactional thinking and move on to relationship building in 2023.
June 1, 2023
I finished it and immediately feel like I need to pick it up and read it again because I’m finally on the brink of understanding.
Cool stories and honestly a concept that feels true and right and inherently Christian. To live giving others the benefit of the doubt, to give without hoping to receive, and to love others without transaction.
Cool stories and honestly a concept that feels true and right and inherently Christian. To live giving others the benefit of the doubt, to give without hoping to receive, and to love others without transaction.
June 30, 2022
Good insights/fresh way of thinking for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I enjoyed the perspectives brought in from other religions. Got a bit preachy/long in a couple areas, but overall a very good book.
June 29, 2023
I want the premise of this book to be the premise of my life. This book is exactly what the title says, the Law of Love. And I know Steve Young lives this. I have only met him once and in that brief moment he gave me all the attention in the room and made me feel like a million bucks!!
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