Eve Koller devotional

Professor Eve Koller says if people truly understand Christ's love for them, they will let it transform their love for others

Devotional speaker encourages students to write down what the spirit teaches, not just the speaker

BY MALIA BLACKMUN

The Savior has asked people to learn to love one another, said BYU–Hawaii Assistant Professor Eve Koller during her Oct. 12 devotional talk, and that it is one of the most important things they can learn in this life. She explained it is not someone's place to judge their brothers and sisters, but they are to love them and see them as the Savior sees them.

“All of the commandments God gives us are not arbitrary requirements of a cruel being who just wants to see how hard he can make a life for us. God is trying to teach us the nature of happiness, which is the nature of God,” said Koller. “My mother used to say, 'People say living the Gospel is hard. But it’s not the Gospel that’s hard. Life is hard. Living the Gospel can make life easier.'

“It’s true—living the Gospel can be a challenge. But life can be hard. And life can be beautiful. Life can be viewed as a test. And life can be viewed as a gift and a miracle,” she said.

Koller shared stories of her own health challenges and the loss of a baby, and added, “So how does God love us? He loves us enough to allow us to experience life. He loves us enough to respect our agency, granting us the freedom to make our own choices. He lovingly guides, but never forces. He intervenes when we ask Him to. He sometimes doesn’t take away the painful trials we might beg and ask him to take away. He could have healed my back in that first moment it was injured and I prayed for healing, but he didn’t.

“He could have healed my son, but he didn’t. He has his purposes that we don’t always understand. Instead, he answered other smaller prayers, revealing his active hand in life through little miracles that let us know that he had not forgotten us.

“He lets us grow and gives us the eternal blessings he knows we want more in the long run, but that sometimes requires periods of trials and suffering. He loves us in ways we do not fully comprehend yet.”

She said people all have their personal stories they need to share with others.

A member of BYUH's Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts, Koller talked about the Savior's teaching from John 13:34, “A new commandment I give until you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

Additionally, she encouraged those in attendance to write down and follow what the spirit directs them to do.

She shared a story from when she was a student at BYU in Provo where she attended a fireside given by Elder David A. Bednar. She said he instructed them to pay attention to what the Spirit was telling them and to take notes on that and not the talk itself.

Koller then instructed the BYUH audience to do the same during her devotional. She asked the audience to write down questions and ponder them with a prayer in their hearts. She explained she has been able to witness great miracles and answers to prayers this way.

She said people should not treat others unkindly or to judge them for their sins or wrongdoings. She said this concept is something people need to be actively trying to get better at because that is how they can become more like Christ.

Koller said it is such a simple teaching most people have heard growing up, but it is something important they need to implement in their lives. It is not only a teaching, but also it is a commandment people need to live.

Koller went into detail on how people are supposed to love one another with the same Christlike love he shows everyone. She told the audience if they really understand how much Christ loves them, then they need to replicate that love to others.

She invited the congregation to ponder on some phrases spoken by the Savior: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man laid down His life for His friends. Judge not, that ye be not judged. He who is without sin cast the first stone. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Ana Toronto, a BYUH senior said, “Sister Koller gave an amazing devotional. I felt that her talk gave me a new perspective and outlook that I am sincerely grateful for. I felt the spirit so strong in that meeting and was very glad I attended.” Toronto said she loved the way Koller implemented interesting stories into her devotional that made it easy to engage and relate to.

Chloe Romney, a BYUH sophomore said, “I have loved all the devotionals here at BYUH, but this one was by far my favorite. She sincerely spoke in a way that gave me such peace and comfort.” Romney said she will always implement writing notes on what the spirit speaks to her when she is at church or at a devotional or a fireside. •

Assistant Professor Eve Koller speaks at devotional on Oct. 12 in the Cannon Activities Center. Photo by Munkhbayar Magvandorj.