Unconditional Love

Unconditional = Not limited by conditions, absolute, complete.

Moses 1:39

For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

I find this scripture to be the most beautiful statement of God’s love in all our scriptures. To love unconditionally is to love unselfishly, to care about the happiness of the other person and to do anything to help that person feel happiness without expecting anything in return.

That is how God loves us. And he reminds us of that love often – “but his hand is stretched out".

We know that love. We lived with our Heavenly parents and experienced it firsthand. It was that love that sent us here to Earth.

“We learned how much God loves us. He gave us life, and he wants us to succeed. Therefore, he prepared a Savior for us. Nevertheless, our Father in Heaven said "Thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee." Elder Deiter F Uchtdorf October 2019 Conference

Even the gift of agency was and is an expression of His love. Happiness is connected to our taking charge of our own lives. We must have the gift of self-determination in order to experience true happiness.

Such love as He has for us doesn’t come without cost – without pain. Remember, it is in that same book of scripture – in Moses chapter 7 – where we see God weep.

“the Lord said unto Enoch behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them, and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency.

And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their father, but behold, they are without affection and they hate their own blood… Wherefore should not the heavens weep, seeing these shall suffer?”

Every parent knows and has felt that love. You want the best for your children. You want them to find true and lasting happiness. You grieve when you see them make choices that derail their lives. But you never give up. You will always be there loving them. Yes, you learn quickly that you cannot control their lives. They will and they must choose their own path.

It is that unconditional love that gives us the courage and strength to go out into the world and create our own lives. Mom and Dad will always be there for us.

If we are fortunate enough to have known such love from our parents, then we had a chance to glimpse God's love as He sent us forth from His presence on the grand adventure of life on earth.

Just as I know my mom and dad were always there cheering me on, I know that I have Heavenly Parents who are also cheering me on.

As I celebrate Christmas this year I marvel once again that as evidence of that love they sent their Son.

How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness? 

He sent his son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness. 

How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go? 

He sent His Son to walk with men on earth, that we may know. 

How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death? 

He sent His Son to die for us and rise with living breath. 

What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say?

Have faith, have hope, live like His Son. Help others on their way. 

What does he ask? Live like His Son.

This song is an incredible description of God’s unconditional love. Isn’t it beautiful when it says, "what does he ask of us?" and the answer is, "Be happy. Live like my Son.” As a parent, I can understand that completely – my greatest joy is seeing my children happy.