Brothers and sisters, it is a great privilege to be with you. Even though I don't know most of you I know enough about you to love you and care about you. My message is for this entire congregation, including online students and instructors in various locations throughout the world.
I would like to invite a king of the Lamanites to introduce our topic today. This is King Lamoni's father. When we first meet him he is not a nice man. First he tries to kill his own son. Then he tries to kill the missionary Ammon. Ammon withstands the attacks and compels the king to release his fellow missionaries from prison. The king was impressed, even astonished, by the love Ammon had for Lamoni. He was so impressed he wanted to learn more.
As we skip forward in the story, Ammon's brother Aaron is teaching the king.
And Aaron answered him and said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God? And the king said...if now thou sayest there is a God, behold I will believe.[1]
And it came to pass that when Aaron saw that the king would believe his words, he began from the creation of Adam, reading the scriptures unto the king-how God created man after his own image...[2]
Aaron goes on to explain the fall of man, and the plan of redemption through Christ.
And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.[3]
I have entitled my remarks "Love is Spoken Here."[4] We, like the king of the Lamanites, can receive this great joy because of the love of God. Three principles will guide our time together:
1. "God is love,"[5] and we are the children of God.
2. The love of God comes as a "gift from ... above"[6] as we seek it.
3. "Go ye therefore and teach all nations"[7] by sharing His love.
First: "God is love," and we are the children of God
The phrase "God is love"[8] comes from 1 John in the New Testament. I have been both puzzled and inspired by this phrase. It does not say God is filled with love, although that is true. It does not say that God acts in love, although that is also true. It says God is love. The word "is" suggests equivalence. Love is what God is. Love is what He has become.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf invited us to "think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount-that is the measure of God's love for you. ... He loves us because He is filled with an infinite measure of holy, pure, and indescribable love."[9]
We know God is love. We may not fully comprehend His love, but we know it is real. Let's extend the equation. We know that we are children of God. "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ."[10]
President Uchtdorf continues: "We are important to God not because of our resume but because we are His children. He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken. God's love is so great that He loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant, and the wicked."[11]
You are love. I am love. In embryo, yes-we are not yet as God is. As children of God our nature is pure love. Because we are children we are in the process of growing up in the Lord. We are growing up to have a fullness of His love. We grow up by knowing and doing the will of Heavenly Father. We grow up as the Atonement of Jesus Christ increases our capacity and reveals our true nature shining through our fallen nature.
Unfortunately there are too many examples of the children of God running away from, hiding from, or otherwise masking their true nature.
From 3 Nephi: "they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds."[12]
From the Doctrine and Covenants: "the love of men shall wax cold"[13] and "men's hearts shall fail them."[14]
From the Pearl of Great Price: "because iniquity shall abound, the love of men shall wax cold."[15]
I don't have to remind us that we live in a world of increasing darkness. That darkness may even look appealing to the natural man in us. In this darkness there is no foundation, no light, and no joy. We want to remind each other, as often as necessary, that we are not slaves to that darkness, to that coldness, to that blindness. In fact, quite the opposite. We have been given the light we need to overcome the darkness.
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome [the world] because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."[16] With Christ we overcome the world, and we thrive in this mortal probation with great joy.
In Lehi's dream the tree of life seems to be a central symbol. Nephi interprets: "I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God."[17] "And the beauty thereof was far beyond, yea, exceeding of all beauty."[18] "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."[19]
I had the opportunity to go with my family to general conference in Salt Lake City. While there I noticed the actions of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. From this, and other settings, I have observed that these disciples of Jesus Christ have a common characteristic while being unique individuals. It is genuine love. Every interaction exudes the love of God and love for his children.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught that "love is the most powerful force in the world."[20] I testify that God is love. We have inherited the capacity to have that same love. I have seen God's love in the faces and actions of His children.
Principle two: The love of God comes as a "gift from ... above" as we seek it.
I quote from a hymn: "Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."[21]
A disciple living in Jesus' day, sought out the Savior of the world with a very specific request: "Lord, teach us to pray."[22] Jesus did teach them to pray. As part of his teaching he gave this direction: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."[23]
Compare this invitation from Jesus to another invitation from His prophet Mormon: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ."[24]
The general invitation is to ask, seek, and knock and the way will be opened. The specific invitation is to seek to be filled with the love of God. God is anxious to give us this gift, and to give as much as we can possibly handle.
Such an invitation and promised blessing from heaven calls out for action on our part, even all of our energy. I share an example of how we might seek and receive such a remarkable gift from the Lord. I'll call it the parable of the homework. This parable is based on a true story.
Sometimes our children will come to me and ask for help with their homework. Because I love them I feel grateful that they would ask. I set aside whatever I was working on to provide the help they need. Sometimes I find that they want me to do all of the homework problems or activities for them. Other times they lose interest in their homework. They wander off to do something else, even though I am sitting right there next to them to help. In each case they don't get much help with their homework. They want what I can give them, but they haven't learned how to ask for it.
What kind of asking or seeking allows us to receive the gift of love and charity from Heavenly Father? Let's go back to the homework example to learn more. This part of the parable, incidentally, is aspirational and not yet fully realized at our house. Suppose my daughter came and said, "Dad, will you help me with the subtraction part of my homework? I've practiced a lot of addition and it seems to be working. I've tried the subtraction but I don't get it. Will you help me?"
I set aside whatever I was working on and I go to help. The first thing she says is, "Look at these problems that I have been working on. Let me show you how it works." It so happens that I already know how it works, but I am delighted to see her explain it, and it shows me how to help. Then she says, "when I get to the subtraction problems, the pattern that was working before doesn't work anymore. Will you help me figure out the new pattern so I will be able to solve the subtraction problems too?"
What can we learn about obtaining a gift from God, including the gift of charity or love, from the two parts of this parable? Here are some possible answers: First, when the request for help came she was already doing her best to apply what she already knew. Second, she asked for help, or a gift, from a source that was capable of providing what she needed. Third, her request was specific. Fourth, she asked with full intention to apply the new knowledge or gift in a specific way.
Asking and applying are not onetime events but rather a pattern we follow over and over. The Lord can fill us with His love to the degree we seek to be filled. The way we treat the gifts He has given us determines our ability to receive more.
For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more.[25]
That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.[26]
As we follow this pattern we are changed over time. We increasingly become as He is, and love as He loves. Here is an example of an individual who followed this pattern.
Nephi had spiritually tasted of the fruit of the tree. He had experienced a measure of the love of God. He seemed to be living according to what he knew to be true. Nephi said: "Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard."[27]
We also see in Nephi the reality of mortality. In 2 Nephi 4, Nephi laments his mortal weakness and the temptations of the flesh. I can relate very well to Nephi's experience in this chapter. I have felt the love of God. A portion of it has taken root in my soul. I have "felt to sing the song of redeeming love."[28] Even so, mortality is very hard, and some days I wonder, "can ye feel so now?"[29] Nephi is humble and recognizes his weakness.
Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins.[30]
Nephi was able to put into words how I feel some days. This is the natural man, the fallen man, trying to take center stage. The natural man can be pretty persistent. But this is not who we are at the core, it is only part of our experience in mortality. If we were left to our own devices these difficult mortal experiences would destroy us. As we receive God's power, including God's love, these mortal experiences refine us and prepare us for exaltation. Nephi, recognizing he could not stand alone, bowed in humility and a desire to receive God's love and strength. He sought the God of love with confidence that God would provide.
"Nevertheless," he said. "I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness." Then, notice how this power from God comes to Nephi. "He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh."[31]
I have, on occasion, received gifts of love like the gift Nephi received. I will share one experience from my time as a college student. I was starting a new program at a new University. I didn't know anyone. The program was hard. It took me too many hours of very hard work to even glimpse success. I remember one particular afternoon. The despair from failure and difficulty and loneliness was crushing me. The natural man was getting the upper hand.
My roommates were away and I knelt in my room and prayed. I prayed deeply because what I was doing was clearly not working. I also prayed for some sort of immediate relief because I felt so low. While I was praying the phone rang. We had no caller ID. Containing my emotion, I answered the phone. On the other end, I heard my angel mother say, "Alan, I was just thinking about you. How are you doing?" Somehow, God let her know my need and she responded in an instant. Her God-given, unconditional love swept over the miles and filled my heart with peace and confidence. Through her, Heavenly Father's love consumed the natural man I was battling.
It might happen through a family member, a friend, a stranger, or directly from God through the Holy Ghost. It might be immediate, or it might take some time. In Nephi's words: "Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. ...Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God."[32]
Heavenly Father and His servants, bless us every day, sometimes in ways that we don't see immediately. He desires to fill us with His love to allow us the joy He has. This is reflected in the rest of the invitation from Mormon:
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure.[33]
The third principle: "go ye therefore and teach all nations" by sharing His love.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught:
The prophets tell us that true love 'beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.'[34] So Christ loved us, and that is how he hoped we would love each other. In a final injunction to all his disciples for all time he said, 'a new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another as I have loved you.'[35] ...How should I love thee? As He does. For that way never faileth.[36]
Our mortal experience is not designed for us to be alone. God is love and He loves individuals. We cannot love unless we have someone to love. Each one of us has a mother and a father, grandparents, and vast ancestry to love and be loved by. Each one of has or will one day have children, grandchildren, and vast posterity to love and be loved by. In the church, we refer to each other as brother and sister-whether in the Church or out, we are surrounded every day by Heavenly Father's children to love and to be loved by.
In these relationships we might be connected to individuals who have found their way. They are filled with the love of God, they are growing in that love, and they share that love with us and with many others. I know some of these disciples. These Christlike individuals are on the difficult, rigorous path of discipleship and they need our care. There are also many of our brothers and sisters whose God-given inclination to love and to be loved has been masked, hidden, or unrealized. Some of these individuals are just waiting to have that seed of the love of God awaken inside of them. Some don't even realize they are waiting.
The prophet Joseph taught, and lived: "Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race."[37] BYU-Idaho is an institution where we get to rub shoulders with individuals from around the whole world every day. We get to share our love and help God's children every day. One principle of the BYU-Idaho Learning Model is: "Learners and teachers at BYU-Idaho love, serve, and teach one another."[38] Teaching one another is one of the specific ways we can love and serve each other. There are many others. Love-motivated service is what we do to progress towards heaven and the perfect nature of God while we are here on earth. In remarks at this school, President Gordon B. Hinckley said: "We are trying an experiment here. We think this school is different from any other university in America. I submit that this campus, with its adjoining buildings, may literally offer a foretaste of heaven."[39]
I was walking across campus recently and saw three people out ahead of me visiting with each other. As I got closer, they turned to go their separate ways. One of the students turned and called out, "I will see you later. I love you!" It was a very simple gesture, but one that appeared to lift and give confidence and strength to the other two. This incident is a sample of a piece of heaven on earth. Incidentally, the particular words we use or the particular actions we share are less important than the feeling that is in our heart when we reach out.
As the Learning Model states: "When learners and teachers view one another charitably they create safe learning environments where all can stretch and stumble without fear."[40] President Henry B. Eyring taught us: "It is too easy to think we can climb alone and that we move up on our own power...The climbs to the places God would have us go are never for us alone. If we forget that, we will not have His full power to lift us."[41]
This clip shows a sample of how this is happening at BYU-Idaho. Because my work here is with online learning, I chose clips from that context.
They were willing to help each other and work with one another so that we can all be successful and you really feel the love that everybody has for one another. We can share our struggles and our accomplishments and get encouragement from each other. It's inspiring and encouraging to have the professors that we have. They've been a great help. They go above and beyond to help us learn and to be able to progress.
And they take time for us. I can call them anytime, and I do. Whenever I want something or need something or information I'll just pick up the phone and they get back to me as soon as they can. It's great because every week they'll get on and leave a note and they'll talk about what to expect in the coming week and it's really neat. One of my instructors was really great at this but just bore his testimony in every note that he sent to us and just really encouraged us. And when I felt like it was difficult or I couldn't do it he was just very encouraging.
I have discovered that those here in Rexburg creating online courses, and those scattered throughout the country teaching BYU-Idaho online courses, have something in common. They have a deep love for God and for His children. They have a deep love for you. Despite barriers of distance and time, they are adept at sharing their love. Here is one example, of many I could cite.
Debbie Foster is an online instructor living in South Jordan, Utah. She says:
Many [students] reveal much more about themselves than they would in an 'in class' environment. It helps me remember they have likes and little quirks and are excited about the big events in their lives (missions, marriages, little children) and have goals and weaknesses. I love that they are trusting enough to share this with us and helps me give feedback that may be more personal and directed to what the individual students need to hear-whether reminders to what they promised themselves to do or an understanding that a student is juggling work, school, church and a new baby and trying to do it all. ...Having the extra bit of understanding and insight into their lives, helps me love them and want to serve them in the capacity I am able.[42]
I will share one more example of BYU-Idaho students, filled with the love of God, reaching out to love and serve those around them, even to "teach all nations" and share that love. This semester there are many BYU-Idaho students whose native language is not English and who are not on this campus. They are BYU-Idaho Pathway students in Mexico and Africa and North and South America. Next semester there will be even more.
Their first-year curriculum centers on learning how to read, write, and speak English. Those of you who have learned an additional language know that speaking with a native significantly accelerates language learning. The students use common video conferencing tools, like Skype, to talk with a volunteer native English speaker a couple of times a week. Most of these volunteer speaking partners are BYU-Idaho students, although it could be any Church member who speaks English natively.
This is just one of many examples of little acts of love combining to make a big difference. President Thomas S. Monson taught:
An attitude of love characterized the mission of the Master. He gave sight to the blind, legs to the lame, and life to the dead. Perhaps when we make face-to-face contact with our Maker, we will not be asked, "How many positions did you hold?" but rather, How many people did you help?' In reality, you can never love the Lord until you serve Him by serving His people.[43]
Our opportunities to share God's love start with our children, or future children. They extend to our parents, grandparents, and those of our posterity we seek to know and save through family history and temple work. They extend to all of our brothers and sisters here at BYU-Idaho, in our hometowns, or in our future towns, and throughout the world.
The king of the Lamanites had cried out from his heart "I will give up all that I possess ... that I may receive this great joy."[44] The love of God is central to this joy. In describing the tree of life, or the love of God, Lehi said, "...As I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit."[45]
I close with this hymn text written by Albert F. Bayly.
As we worship, grant us vision, till Thy love's revealing light, in its height and depth and greatness dawns upon our quickened sight, making known the needs and burdens Thy compassion bids us bear, stirring us to tireless striving, thine abundant life to share. Called from worship unto service, forth in Thy dear name we go. To the child, the youth, the aged, love in living deeds to show. Hope and health, goodwill and comfort, counsel, aid and peace we give. That thy children, Lord, in freedom may Thy mercy know, and live![46]
Brothers and sisters, I testify that God is love, and we are his children. The love of God comes as a gift from heaven as we seek it. We bless and teach all nations by sharing His love. This is our remarkable opportunity, even our divine purpose. At this Thanksgiving time, I am thankful that "love is spoken here."[47]
In the sacred name of Jesus Christ amen.
Notes
[1] Alma 22:7
[2] Alma 22:12
[3] Alma 22:15
[4] "Love is Spoken Here," Children's Songbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 190
[5] 1 John 4:16
[6] James 1:17
[7] Matthew 28:19
[8] 1 John 4:16
[9] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Love of God," General Conference, October 2009
[10] Romans 8:17
[11] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Love of God," General Conference, October 2009
[12] 3 Nephi 2:1
[13] D&C 45:27
[14] D&C 45:26
[15] Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:30
[16] 1 John 4:4
[17] 1 Nephi 11:25
[18] 1 Nephi 11:8
[19] 1 Nephi 11:22
[20] Dallin H. Oaks. The Gospel Culture. Liahona, March 2012
[21] Isaac Watts. When I survey the wondrous cross. http://www.hymnary.org/text/when_i_survey_the_wondrous_cross
[22] John 11:1
[23] John 11:9
[24] Moroni 7:48
[25] 2 Nephi 28:30
[26] D&C 50:24
[27] 2 Nephi 4:16
[28] Alma 5:26
[29] Ibid
[30] 2 Nephi 4:17-19
[31] 2 Nephi 4:19-21
[32] 2 Nephi 4:35
[33] Moroni 7:48
[34] 1 Cor. 13:7
[35] John 13:34
[36] Jeffrey R. Holland. "How Do I Love Thee?" BYU Devotional, February 15, 2000
[37] History of the Church, 4:227
[38] BYU-Idaho Learning Model. http://www2.byui.edu/learningmodel
[39] Gordon B. Hinckley. Remarks. Brigham Young University-Idaho Inauguration, October 11, 2005
[40] BYU-Idaho Learning Model. http://www2.byui.edu/learningmodel
[41] Henry B. Eyring. The Temple and the College on the Hill. BYU-Idaho Devotional, June 9, 2009
[42] Personal communication
[43] Thomas S. Monson. Great Expectations. CES Fireside for Young Adults, January 11, 2009
[44] Alma 22:15
[45] 1 Nephi 8:10-12
[46] Albert F. Bayly, Seven New Social Welfare Hymns, 1961, alt
[47] Love is Spoken Here. Children's Songbook 190