LDS Halloween Ministering Printable – Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear
Is it possible to tie Halloween into a General Conference talk? Of course it is! For October, I have a LDS Halloween Ministering Printable with a tasty bottle of “love potion.” It includes a quote from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s talk, “Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear.”
Notice the potion number on the label?
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.” – John 4:18
LDS Halloween Ministering Printable (Download PDF)
You can either download just the LDS Halloween Ministering Printable or make your own bottle of love potion using the label printable. It includes both the front and back label. Just print it out, cut it out, and tape it on. I picked these cute little bottles up from my local dollar store and will be filling them with Hot Tamales.
Love Potion Bottle Labels Printable (Download PDF)
October seemed like the perfect month to focus a little on fear. My daughter loves Halloween because she gets to enjoy all the spookiness without any of the danger. She gets the thrill of monsters without the reality of monsters.
Recently we watched “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” and she was fascinated by the scene where Indiana Jones is thrown in with the snakes. We pointed out how they had used a plate of glass between the cobra and Harrison Ford in order to keep him safe. She was worried and kept asking us to confirm that the plate of glass was still there. After the tense scene had past and she felt braver, she scoffed at the actors for acting so scared when they were clearly safe. We had to explain that it was their job was to “act” scared even when they weren’t.
It made me think about the role of fear in our own lives and the barriers in place that keep us from danger. In his talk “Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear,” Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf tells us, “Let us set aside our fears and live instead with joy, humility, hope, and a bold confidence that the Lord is with us.”
Referring to 1 John 4:18, he reminds us that, “if we ever find ourselves living in fear or anxiety, or if we ever find that our own words, attitudes, or actions are causing fear in others, I pray with all the strength of my soul that we may become liberated from this fear by the divinely appointed antidote to fear: the pure love of Christ, for “perfect love casteth out fear.”
Like the plate of glass, Christ’s love protects us from the fear that is in the world.
Elder Uchtdorf explains:
“One of the ways Satan wants us to manipulate others is by dwelling upon and even exaggerating the evil in the world.
Certainly our world has always been, and will continue to be, imperfect. Far too many innocent people suffer because of circumstances of nature as well as from man’s inhumanity. The corruption and wickedness in our day are unique and alarming.
But in spite of all this, I wouldn’t trade living in this time with any other time in the history of the world. We are blessed beyond measure to live in a day of unparalleled prosperity, enlightenment, and advantage. Most of all, we are blessed to have the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives us a unique perspective on the world’s dangers and shows us how to either avoid these dangers or deal with them.”
Satan likes to use fear to cripple us, but Christ uses love to change our very natures. He wants us to feel empowered and to be able to confront our fears. He wants us to grow and become like Him.
Elder Uchtdorf says, “God motivates through persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, and love unfeigned. God is on our side. He loves us, and when we stumble, He wants us to rise up, try again, and become stronger.”
Like my daughter, we feel safe when we focus on the presence of the glass (Christ’s love) instead of the cobra (the fears of the world). And as long as we stay on the right side of the glass, the Lord can protect us and will even fight our battles. And if we find ourselves on the wrong side of the glass, He will help us quickly scramble to safety.
Elder Uchtdorf says, “We are, therefore, not ignorant of the challenges of the world, nor are we unaware of the difficulties of our times. But this does not mean that we should burden ourselves or others with constant fear. Rather than dwelling on the immensity of our challenges, would it not be better to focus on the infinite greatness, goodness, and absolute power of our God, trusting Him and preparing with a joyful heart for the return of Jesus the Christ?”
Since the perfect love of Christ is the antidote to all fear, I have made a fun little bottle of “love potion” for Halloween to as a reminder of the very real love that the Savior has for us.
Did you like this LDS Halloween Ministering Printable? Find more LDS ministering printables here.
