The Power to Open Hearts and Build Bridges of Love

#1 A Daughter’s Story

I had expected that once I became an adult, I would become emotionally resilient and mature. However, adjusting to a new stage of life and taking on more responsibilities left me with less emotional room to breathe. Without realizing it, I started taking my edginess out on the people closest to me—my family, and reacted sharply to even the most trivial things. I snapped at my mother's simple, lighthearted questions, barely giving her a proper answer. I stubbornly locked myself in the thought, “Mom isn’t on my side. She doesn't understand what I’m going through.”

Then one day, my mother and I attended the “Words of Mother’s Love” Seminar together. When we arrived at the venue, I had no idea that it would become an opportunity to reflect honestly on myself. During one of the sessions, we were asked to turn to the person next to us and express words of love directly. At first, all I could do was smile awkwardly at my mother. I felt too embarrassed to even make eye contact, and the words caught in my throat. But as I finally summoned the courage utter, “I love you,” and “Thank you,” the words gradually began to flow more naturally.

As soon as I spoke those words of love, my mother's face lit up with a radiant smile. Seeing her so happy warmed my heart, and a wave of regret washed over me as I realized how many years I had spent simply receiving her love without giving any in return. I deeply reflected on how I had taken my mother for granted, assuming she would always endure my bluntness—whether or not I expressed my feelings, and no matter how much I complained. Regretting my past behavior, I resolved to speak the “Words of Mother’s Love” more often.

When we got home, we started with the simplest things: greeting each other warmly, looking into each other’s eyes, and sharing a hug. I began saying, “Thank you,” for the thoughtfulness and care my mother had always shown me—comforts I had long taken for granted. Though it still felt a little embarrassing, I actively expressed my feelings by telling her, "I love you." The phrase I found myself using most often as, “I'd like to hear more of your thoughts.” Letting go of the stubborn assumptions that she would understand even if I didn’t say anything, or that I was always right, I began asking, "Mom, what do you think?" As a result, we came to understand each other more deeply, and even the issues that had once triggered arguments were easily resolved through conversation. Our bond became closer than ever.

Looking back, I realize that simply because we were family—because we felt so close and comfortable with one another—I had carelessly spoken words that could wound, all while blindly assuming I knew them perfectly. Through the “Words of Mother’s Love,” I have come to realize once again how precious my parents are, and just how much power lies within a few simple words.



#2 A Mother’s Story

As someone who is naturally quiet and introverted, expressing “Words of Mother’s Love” did not come easily to me. Of course, I understood how important warm and encouraging words are in building relationships, and I truly believed that God had a profound purpose in allowing this campaign. Even so, whenever I did use these words of love, they often felt less like heartfelt expressions and more like something I muttered out of habit, or even obligation. It was with these low expectations that I attended the “Words of Mother’s Love” Seminar. However, during one session, we were given time to face our family members and speak words of love directly to them. Turning to my daughter, I softly whispered the words I had rarely spoken before: "I love you," and "Thank you." The exact moment those words left my lips, something deep within my heart was profoundly stirred.

The truth is, unlike my husband, who absolutely doted on our daughter, I was always the strict parent, fearing that being too lenient would spoil her. Looking back, I think that made her feel as though I was never on her side. When she entered her final year of high school, our relationship became strained over her college plans, and the misunderstandings between us only deepened. Already overwhelmed by the relentless demands of preparing for college entrance exams, my daughter had to endure my constant nagging—which I justified as concern and love.

I still vividly remember that moment when my daughter and I sat face to face, sharing words of love. As our hearts opened to one another, I tried to recall the last time we had exchanged such warmth, but the memory simply eluded me. Only then did I truly understand why Heavenly Mother had allowed the “Words of Mother’s Love” Campaign. I was filled with deep gratitude as I realized Her profound purpose: to make us look back at those closest to us—the very people to whom we had so often failed to express our love.

Inspired by the seminar, my daughter and I resolved to practice the “Words of Mother’s Love” consistently throughout the year. We started with the simplest things: whenever we came home, we greeted each other with a tight hug and gentle eye contact. We poured our hearts into simple phrases like, “Thank you,” “You’re doing great,” and "It's okay.” The phrase I found myself using most often was, "I’d like to hear more of your thoughts.” In the past, I had focused only on pushing my own opinions and insisting that I was right. Now, I listened intently, striving to understand the hidden struggles and true feelings of my daughter, who was just navigating the unfamiliar waters of early adulthood. As the days went by, our relationship improved so noticeably that I often thought, “If only I had done this sooner.” Even the atmosphere in our home grew brighter and warmer.

I then began speaking the “Words of Mother’s Love” to my husband as well. Though gentle by nature, he had always found it difficult to express his feelings, so he felt quite awkward at first. But as my daughter and I took the initiative, he gradually began opening up his heart too. In the past, if I asked, “How is the food?” during mealtimes, he would usually give little to no response. Then one day, he looked up with a bright smile and said, "It's really delicious." That one simple sentence completely shifted the atmosphere in our home. Our everyday life, which had once felt ordinary and passed by in silence, was gradually becoming filled with warmth. Although our family had always shared the joy of being in the same faith, we hadn’t fully realized the profound truth that our physical family is a reflection of our heavenly family. However, as we put the “Words of Mother’s Love” into practice, we began having deeper conversations about our faith, drawing closer both physical and spiritually. Every day, I witness firsthand the power of a single word to bring about such beautiful change.

After experiencing this transformation in our home, I made a conscious effort to share the “Words of Mother’s Love” with those around me as well. Before speaking, I learned to pause and consider the other person’s feelings, and I began expressing gratitude even for the things I had once taken for granted. Although affectionate words had never come naturally to me, I strove to embrace our Zion members more often and be the first to reach out. Soon, members who had been reserved began to smile, and those who had struggled to adjust to Zion opened their hearts and eagerly took part in Bible studies. I truly realized that a single heartfelt word holds the power to save a soul. I also shared the joy we experienced in our family with the Zion members. When I suggested that we all send a loving text message to our husbands, everyone smiled and eagerly joined in. Husbands who had once replied with nothing more than brief, one-word texts suddenly responded with messages saying, “I love you,” or even called their wives right away. Watching it all unfold, I could see happiness spreading from one home to another.

Whenever I look back on those precious moments of sharing heartfelt love with my family and our Zion family, my heart overflows with warmth. I have come to realize that the “Words of Mother’s Love” are far more than just kind words—they are a beautiful gift from God. To anyone who has not yet taken part in this campaign, this is what I want to say: even though it may feel awkward at first, I wholeheartedly encourage you to give it a try.

Going forward, I hope to continue building a happy home and a loving Zion through the “Words of Mother’s Love.” Above all, I want to share the love and warmth of our Heavenly Mother with everyone I meet. I sincerely pray that the “Words of Mother’s Love” will spread to countless more homes and communities, ultimately making the world a much brighter place.