The Love of God
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- How does Elder Christofferson describe the nature of God's love?
- What does Elder Christofferson say about the relationship between God's love and His commandments?
- How does this talk suggest we should respond to God's love?
Topics
Understanding the Profound and Perfect Love of God
Elder Christofferson begins by emphasizing the profound and perfect love that our Heavenly Father has for us. This love was so great that He was willing to offer His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as our Redeemer. Christ shares this perfect love with the Father.
Our Heavenly Father loves us profoundly and perfectly.
His is a Father’s pure love—universal to all yet personal to each.
- How does Elder Christofferson describe God's love for us?
- Why is it significant that God's love is both universal and personal?
- How have you personally experienced God's love?
- What can you do to more fully feel and recognize God's love for you?
God's Love Does Not Excuse Sin, But Offers Redemption
Elder Christofferson explains that while God's love is unconditional, His blessings and salvation are not. He emphasizes that sin must be resolved for us to dwell in God's presence, but through repentance and divine grace, we can find redemption.
God’s love is all-embracing, some speak of it as “unconditional,” and in their minds they may project that thought to mean that God’s blessings are “unconditional” and that salvation is “unconditional.” They are not.
Ours is not a religion of rationalization nor a religion of perfectionism but a religion of redemption—redemption through Jesus Christ.
- What does Elder Christofferson say about the relationship between God's love and His commandments?
- Why is it important to understand that God's love does not excuse sin?
- How does understanding God's love as a path to redemption affect your view of repentance?
- What steps can you take to more fully embrace the principle of redemption?
The Love of Prophets Reflects God's Love
Elder Christofferson discusses the deep love that prophets have for the people they are sent to serve. This love, which mirrors God's love, motivates them to warn against sin and poor choices, not out of a desire to condemn, but out of a desire for people to avoid suffering.
I have long been impressed by, and have also felt, the yearning love of the prophets of God in their warnings against sin.
In President Russell M. Nelson’s words, "It is precisely because we do care deeply about all of God’s children that we proclaim His truth."
- How does Elder Christofferson describe the love of prophets?
- Why is it important to understand the motivations behind the prophets" warnings?
- How can you better appreciate and respond to the counsel of prophets?
- How can you cultivate a similar love for others in your own life?
God's Love Calls for Our Love in Return
Elder Christofferson explains that because God and Jesus Christ love us, they want us to experience joy and success, which comes through repentance and obedience to their commandments. However, they honor our agency, and it is up to us to choose to love, serve, and obey them.
Their principal expectation of us is that we also love. "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."
In acknowledging that God loves us perfectly, we each might ask, "How well do I love God? Can He rely on my love as I rely on His?"
- What does Elder Christofferson say about our responsibility to love God in return for His love?
- Why is it important to choose to love and serve God?
- How can you show your love for God in your daily actions?
- What changes might you need to make in order to better love and serve God?
Experiencing God's Love Through Obedience to His Commandments
Elder Christofferson concludes by emphasizing that we can feel God's perfect love more fully as we obey His commandments. These commandments are not burdensome, but rather mark the path to happiness, peace, and joy.
Indeed, His commandments are not grievous—just the opposite. They mark the path of healing, happiness, peace, and joy.
Here is the solution for our incessantly quarrelsome times—the love of God.
- How does Elder Christofferson describe the role of God's commandments in our lives?
- Why is obedience to God's commandments connected to feeling His love?
- How have you experienced God's love through obedience to His commandments?
- What commandments can you focus on obeying more fully in order to feel God's love more profoundly?
