I think knowing the Lord loves us gives us desire to trust Him and motivation to obey. We are taught we should obey out of love, that it is the highest form of obedience. I think it also sparks the essential virtue of gratitude. I don't think we have a clue how much our Heavenly Father loves us, I know we don't because we would live our lives very different. I know as I have begun to start to understand He does love me I have begun to be a lot less defensive and angry. So much we stress over that really doesn't matter in our lives! In fact my anger level for me is how I measure if have the Spirit. I think it precedes revelation.
I love how Nephi's answer was kind of like, "I don't know or understand a lot - but I do know that God loves me."
His amazing faith and obedience that we have been reading about came from that knowledge. God loves me.
As I go throughout my day and become harrasses by the things of the world, it is easy to get discouraged. But, if I remember to focus on just one thing -God loves me - I receive the boost that I need to do what is most important. And more importantly my heart receives joy from this knowledge. Joy in my heart leads to all kinds of good actions. :-)
The other thing I've been thinking about today is that I don't have to be done with my journey, ie at the tree, to have God's love. He loves me if I happen to stray off the path. He loves me even if I happen to go over to that awesome building where it looks like the party is. God ALWAYS loves me. It is not dependent on my choices. But if I want to feel that love more strongly in my life - that is the strait and narrow path. I just needed to remind myself of this.
I think knowing that God loves me, and that I am His son gives me confidence. My self-worth is not defined by my career but by how in sync I am with His plan. As we align our human traits with God's will and plan for us, that confidence increases and it is applicable to all phases of life.
Nephi is a great example of this. While he wasn't perfect, he always knew in whom he trusted. He knew he was on the Lord's team, the winning team.
It's the same reason Scottie Pippen was always so confident - he had the best basketball player in the world on his team.... okay, that analogy might be a stretch... but you get my point. :)
You don't get my point? Okay..... let me elaborate. Pippen had several deficiencies in his game, one being: he wasn't a good shooter. But when you have Michael Jordan on your team, he puts his teammates in the best situation to succeed and brings out your strengths. In short - he makes up the difference! Same with us: we all have lots of shorcomings, but as we CLINGE to the Iron Rod and team up with the Savior, He makes up the difference for us.
i really appreciate you knew that some of the readers of this blog might not understand your analogy... so thanks for your explanation, because I really liked it once I got it:)
I love this from v17: "I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." I think sometimes it's just enough to know that we have a loving Heavenly Father to guide us. I feel like when I really internalize the fact that Heavenly Father loves me I can more clearly accept that He has a plan for me and it gives my life so much more meaning. I feel more productive, more deliberate in my actions when I am focused on carrying out that plan for myself.
I also loved verse 17. It reminded me of my little CTR5 class I teach. If only i could be as teachable as Nephi, or like my little children!
I sometimes don't feel the love of The Lord, and as it is likened unto the tree, I remember that the way we can partake of the fruit is by holding to the iron rod ... Reading the scriptures!!
I tried to put myself in Nephi's shoes as I read today. He saw the birth of the Savior, his baptism, his ministry and his death. How overwhelming and amazing. These were events that had not occurred yet and he was witnessing them as they would happen. He was super blessed to see these things, and although I have never had a dream/vision of these things, I have the gift of the Holy Ghost to know that these events happened. I also loved in Vs 22 and 23 when Nephi talks about Gods love and how it is the most desirable above all things, and the angel said, "yea, the most joyous to the soul," I love that the angel agrees and uses the word joy. I feel happy a good share of the time, but the moments and times when I feel joy are almost always when I feel the spirit, which is God's love whispering truth and peace into my soul. Maybe happiness can only go skin deep, but joy is when happiness sinks into your heart, mind, and spirit and reminds us that we are spiritual beings with a physical body, not physical beings with a spirit.
22 And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.
23 And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul.
I loved these verses... I think sometimes I base God's love for me on how well or easy my life is going... I know, pretty silly. I have to remember that God's love is always there, always accessible and is not based on circumstance. When I remember this and internalize it, it truly is the most joyous thing.
Please remember this one thing. If our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right.
This knowledge helps us endure challenges and trials well.
I was struck by the invitation to "Look" repeated over and over in these chapters. When I ponder on the fact that Nephi was speaking directly to the 3rd member the Godhead, and it was actually the Holy Ghost who repeatedly invited Nephi to "look". I realized that the Holy Ghost invites us all to " look" (ie. search, seek after, come unto) the savior. The invitation isn't just for the prophets. He invites us all to come unto him and be perfected. I hope to respond as Nephi did when he repeatedly responded, "I looked". I hope to "look to God and live". I hope to be redeemed "because of the righteousness of my redeemer"
Whenever I think of God's love for me I am overwhelmed. I know that He lives and loves me despite my weaknesses, sins, etc His love is unconditional. I know this through personal experiences. To me an important part of knowing that God loves us is by doing two things. One, accept His love for us by getting to know Him better through praying, reading His words, whatever that is to draw us closer to Him every day. In return by accepting His love for us we are showing our love for Him. Second, once we feel and know of His love, we need to share that with everyone. (Matt 22:36-39) My farewell topic was based off of the talk "The daily portion of love" by H. Burke Peterson. In this talk he said, "Impossible mountains are climbed by those who have the self-confidence that comes from truly being loved. Prisons and other institutions, even some of our own homes, are filled with those who have been starved for affection. In a world and society where Satan is launching his most vicious attacks ever on the children of men, we have no greater weapon than pure, unselfish, Christlike love."
When I was really young I wanted so terribly for my birth mom to love me..but she couldn't, she was very sick and later left our family. It was a very hard thing for our family to go thru but then years later my dad met some wonderful missionaries and he was baptized and then was able to baptize me. Although it was a very trying time for our family, now that I'm older, I am able to look back and recognize that because of my birth mom's decision and the hand of the Lord, I now have the gospel in my life. So thankful for the knowledge that God loves me, in spite of all my weaknesses, He loves me unconditionally. He knows us by name and has a plan for each of us. This is such a comfort to me! I know that he has had a hand in every part of my life and has has led and guided me to this point. I am so thankful that He watched over my family and placed those sweet missionaries in our path. He really does love us! Verses 22 and 23 ring true to me, "the love of God...is the most desirable above all things"..."yea, the most joyous to the soul"!
1-We aren't ever forced to "see" rather, invited to "look." With each invitation Nephi accepts He learns and experiences marvelous things. 2- I love the interpretation of the dream! The word of God (the gospel,iron rod) leads to God's love (the tree)...and what is God's love? The Savior!! God loved us so He gave us Him. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Jesus Christ is the fountain of living water in my life. As I partake of the sacrament each week I am reminded of God's love for me. The Savior truly is the bread of life and living water. Remembering this powerful love reminds me of my true identity...a daughter of God. This knowledge helps me to call upon my Father and Savior when I need continued direction and help.
I'm a little late, but which talk is it for the "good talk" link. It just is a page of speeches, and I'm not sure what the intended reading is! I love love all your linked talks, thank you!
I taught a young women's lesson a couple of weeks ago about Who am I? And who can I become? With the knowledge that we are children of God and that he loves us beyond our comprehension, we are filled with power and with self worth. Knowing that my Heavenly Father loves me no matter what and that he is cheering me on gives me confidence and the desire to be obedient. When I am feeling unloved it is not because he is not there, it is because I am not doing the things I should and have drawn away from him. I loved President Uchtdorf's talk about how we can be happy. So much of our happiness comes from serving others and from making the world a better place. Focusing too much on ourselves does not bring happiness, it's when we turn our focus outward, on those around us, that we find true happiness.
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I think knowing the Lord loves us gives us desire to trust Him and motivation to obey. We are taught we should obey out of love, that it is the highest form of obedience. I think it also sparks the essential virtue of gratitude. I don't think we have a clue how much our Heavenly Father loves us, I know we don't because we would live our lives very different. I know as I have begun to start to understand He does love me I have begun to be a lot less defensive and angry. So much we stress over that really doesn't matter in our lives! In fact my anger level for me is how I measure if have the Spirit. I think it precedes revelation.
ReplyDeleteI love how Nephi's answer was kind of like, "I don't know or understand a lot - but I do know that God loves me."
ReplyDeleteHis amazing faith and obedience that we have been reading about came from that knowledge. God loves me.
As I go throughout my day and become harrasses by the things of the world, it is easy to get discouraged. But, if I remember to focus on just one thing -God loves me - I receive the boost that I need to do what is most important. And more importantly my heart receives joy from this knowledge. Joy in my heart leads to all kinds of good actions. :-)
The other thing I've been thinking about today is that I don't have to be done with my journey, ie at the tree, to have God's love. He loves me if I happen to stray off the path. He loves me even if I happen to go over to that awesome building where it looks like the party is. God ALWAYS loves me. It is not dependent on my choices. But if I want to feel that love more strongly in my life - that is the strait and narrow path. I just needed to remind myself of this.
DeleteI think knowing that God loves me, and that I am His son gives me confidence. My self-worth is not defined by my career but by how in sync I am with His plan. As we align our human traits with God's will and plan for us, that confidence increases and it is applicable to all phases of life.
ReplyDeleteNephi is a great example of this. While he wasn't perfect, he always knew in whom he trusted. He knew he was on the Lord's team, the winning team.
It's the same reason Scottie Pippen was always so confident - he had the best basketball player in the world on his team.... okay, that analogy might be a stretch... but you get my point. :)
You don't get my point? Okay..... let me elaborate. Pippen had several deficiencies in his game, one being: he wasn't a good shooter. But when you have Michael Jordan on your team, he puts his teammates in the best situation to succeed and brings out your strengths. In short - he makes up the difference! Same with us: we all have lots of shorcomings, but as we CLINGE to the Iron Rod and team up with the Savior, He makes up the difference for us.
DeleteHaha, I love the analogy---you're speaking the language of my boys!
Deletei really appreciate you knew that some of the readers of this blog might not understand your analogy... so thanks for your explanation, because I really liked it once I got it:)
DeleteI love this from v17: "I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." I think sometimes it's just enough to know that we have a loving Heavenly Father to guide us. I feel like when I really internalize the fact that Heavenly Father loves me I can more clearly accept that He has a plan for me and it gives my life so much more meaning. I feel more productive, more deliberate in my actions when I am focused on carrying out that plan for myself.
ReplyDeleteI also loved verse 17. It reminded me of my little CTR5 class I teach. If only i could be as teachable as Nephi, or like my little children!
ReplyDeleteI sometimes don't feel the love of The Lord, and as it is likened unto the tree, I remember that the way we can partake of the fruit is by holding to the iron rod ... Reading the scriptures!!
I tried to put myself in Nephi's shoes as I read today. He saw the birth of the Savior, his baptism, his ministry and his death. How overwhelming and amazing. These were events that had not occurred yet and he was witnessing them as they would happen. He was super blessed to see these things, and although I have never had a dream/vision of these things, I have the gift of the Holy Ghost to know that these events happened. I also loved in Vs 22 and 23 when Nephi talks about Gods love and how it is the most desirable above all things, and the angel said, "yea, the most joyous to the soul," I love that the angel agrees and uses the word joy. I feel happy a good share of the time, but the moments and times when I feel joy are almost always when I feel the spirit, which is God's love whispering truth and peace into my soul. Maybe happiness can only go skin deep, but joy is when happiness sinks into your heart, mind, and spirit and reminds us that we are spiritual beings with a physical body, not physical beings with a spirit.
ReplyDelete22 And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.
ReplyDelete23 And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul.
I loved these verses... I think sometimes I base God's love for me on how well or easy my life is going... I know, pretty silly. I have to remember that God's love is always there, always accessible and is not based on circumstance. When I remember this and internalize it, it truly is the most joyous thing.
This reminds me of a quote from Pres. Hunter:
ReplyDeletePlease remember this one thing. If our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right.
This knowledge helps us endure challenges and trials well.
That is awesome perspective. Need to wrap my brain around that one.
DeleteI was struck by the invitation to "Look" repeated over and over in these chapters. When I ponder on the fact that Nephi was speaking directly to the 3rd member the Godhead, and it was actually the Holy Ghost who repeatedly invited Nephi to "look". I realized that the Holy Ghost invites us all to " look" (ie. search, seek after, come unto) the savior. The invitation isn't just for the prophets. He invites us all to come unto him and be perfected. I hope to respond as Nephi did when he repeatedly responded, "I looked". I hope to "look to God and live". I hope to be redeemed "because of the righteousness of my redeemer"
ReplyDeleteGood to see you on here! I really liked your insight on this topic.
DeleteWhenever I think of God's love for me I am overwhelmed. I know that He lives and loves me despite my weaknesses, sins, etc His love is unconditional. I know this through personal experiences.
ReplyDeleteTo me an important part of knowing that God loves us is by doing two things.
One, accept His love for us by getting to know Him better through praying, reading His words, whatever that is to draw us closer to Him every day. In return by accepting His love for us we are showing our love for Him.
Second, once we feel and know of His love, we need to share that with everyone. (Matt 22:36-39)
My farewell topic was based off of the talk "The daily portion of love" by H. Burke Peterson. In this talk he said,
"Impossible mountains are climbed by those who have the self-confidence that comes from truly being loved. Prisons and other institutions, even some of our own homes, are filled with those who have been starved for affection.
In a world and society where Satan is launching his most vicious attacks ever on the children of men, we have no greater weapon than pure, unselfish, Christlike love."
Love that quote!! Thanks so much for sharing that, I really needed to hear that.
DeleteWhen I was really young I wanted so terribly for my birth mom to love me..but she couldn't, she was very sick and later left our family. It was a very hard thing for our family to go thru but then years later my dad met some wonderful missionaries and he was baptized and then was able to baptize me. Although it was a very trying time for our family, now that I'm older, I am able to look back and recognize that because of my birth mom's decision and the hand of the Lord, I now have the gospel in my life. So thankful for the knowledge that God loves me, in spite of all my weaknesses, He loves me unconditionally. He knows us by name and has a plan for each of us. This is such a comfort to me! I know that he has had a hand in every part of my life and has has led and guided me to this point. I am so thankful that He watched over my family and placed those sweet missionaries in our path. He really does love us! Verses 22 and 23 ring true to me, "the love of God...is the most desirable above all things"..."yea, the most joyous to the soul"!
ReplyDelete1-We aren't ever forced to "see" rather, invited to "look." With each invitation Nephi accepts He learns and experiences marvelous things.
ReplyDelete2- I love the interpretation of the dream! The word of God (the gospel,iron rod) leads to God's love (the tree)...and what is God's love? The Savior!! God loved us so He gave us Him. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Jesus Christ is the fountain of living water in my life. As I partake of the sacrament each week I am reminded of God's love for me. The Savior truly is the bread of life and living water. Remembering this powerful love reminds me of my true identity...a daughter of God. This knowledge helps me to call upon my Father and Savior when I need continued direction and help.
I'm a little late, but which talk is it for the "good talk" link. It just is a page of speeches, and I'm not sure what the intended reading is! I love love all your linked talks, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI taught a young women's lesson a couple of weeks ago about Who am I? And who can I become? With the knowledge that we are children of God and that he loves us beyond our comprehension, we are filled with power and with self worth. Knowing that my Heavenly Father loves me no matter what and that he is cheering me on gives me confidence and the desire to be obedient. When I am feeling unloved it is not because he is not there, it is because I am not doing the things I should and have drawn away from him. I loved President Uchtdorf's talk about how we can be happy. So much of our happiness comes from serving others and from making the world a better place. Focusing too much on ourselves does not bring happiness, it's when we turn our focus outward, on those around us, that we find true happiness.
ReplyDelete