Love

Love is the bottom line. In Alma 5:40 we are given a key with which we can judge: "Whatsoever is good cometh from God and whatsoever is evil cometh of the devil."

Love is the foundation of all that is good for God loves us. The most important truth we will ever know is simply that - God loves me. But it can't be that you know this in your mind. It must be felt. You must know in the very depth of your being that you are a beloved child of Heavenly Parents.

"I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love" can be found in 2nd Nephi 1:15 and again in D&C 6:20 we read "I will encircle be in the arms of my love."

To know that love is have found a great treasure. It is to know the kingdom of heaven, the treasure hidden in the field, the pearl of great price.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world...

1st John 3:1
Behold, what manner of love the father has bestowed upon us.

In the vision of the Tree of Life we learn "Yea, it is the love of God which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men."

Why is it that it is so important to know God's love? Because love is the greatest motivator the world has ever known.

Read Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear by Elder Deiter F Uchtdorf April 2017 Conference

"The more I come to know my Heavenly Father, the more I see how He inspires and leads His children. He is not angry, vengeful, or retaliatory. His very purpose - His work and His glory - is to mentor us, exalt us, and lead us to His fullness.

"God described Himself to Moses as merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and Truth.

"Our Father in Heaven's love for us, His children, surpasses by far our ability to comprehend.

Does this mean that God condones or overlooks behaviors that run contrary to His commands, no, definitely not!

But he wants to change more than just our behaviors. He wants to change our very natures. He wants to change our hearts."

There are many ways to change behaviors but in my experience there has only been one thing in all my life that has ever caused a change in my heart. And that for me has been the experience of feeling God's love for me personally.

Joseph Smith wrote: "When persons manifest the least kindness and love to me, oh what power it has over my mind, while the opposite course has a tendency to harrow up all of the harsh feelings and depress the human mind."

The poet, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, wrote of his own pain sense of unworthiness and of the Divine response that pierced his soul.

The spirit of true love replied;

"Thou canst not move me from the side,

Nor human frailty do me wrong

So fret not

That life is dashed with flecks of sin.

Abide. Thy wealth is gathered in

When time has sundered shell from Pearl."

My own experience has been the same as Tennyson's.

On bended knee

Before the one

I brought my wounds,

My bleeding heart.

I told him all,

Left nothing out.

I purged my soul.

I sought his grace.

And there I found

No reprimand,

Though well deserved

And justly due.

Tis there I felt

His arms embrace.

I felt His love.

I felt His love.