Thank you so much for the beautiful musical number and for sharing your talents to bless us today. What a wonderful sight! I am so glad you are making devotional a priority in your education here at BYU-Idaho. When I attended BYU, I treasured the time I had at devotional. At that time, you typically had to wait several days or even weeks to get a printed copy of the talks. I remember checking in often at the Alumni office to see if a particular talk had been released. At last, they would arrive and I would add them to my collection. Those talks have helped me become who I am today. I hope each of us will continue to make devotional a time to listen to the Spirit and write down the impressions we have so we can learn and remember what our Heavenly Father would teach us. In addition, may each of us make a commitment to act on the promptings and invitations we receive from devotional. Last week, Sister Reyna I. Aburto gave us five principles to help us cultivate divine relationships. Hopefully you have had a few successes as you have acted on her wonderful suggestions.
The title of my talk today is “Know, You Are Loved.” Yes, it may seem a little cheesy, but it’s true: you are loved. I want you to know, K-N-O-W, that you are loved.
Each of us have different interpretations of what love is, what it means, how we show our love for others, and how we feel loved.
Throughout our life, we develop various relationships with others around us and our Heavenly Father. At times, our relationships may be wonderful and at other times they may be extremely difficult or even feel non-existent. Even how much we love ourselves fluctuates. Today, I hope I can share a few thoughts that can help each of us know we are loved.
Love for Us
First, I’d like you to start thinking of a time you felt your Heavenly Father’s guidance and love in your life. I’ll have you write your thoughts in just a minute. As you reflect on this, I would like to share an experience that happened to me many years ago as a teenager.
Our young men’s group had planned an outing to go to a ranch and ride horses on a day trail ride. I was excited to go and fortunate my father was able to accompany me on my adventure with our ward. As they saddled up the horses and gave me mine, I wasn’t as thrilled as I noticed my horse was extremely spirited and stubborn. We went on a ride for several hours, where I constantly had to work to keep the horse with the group. We took a break and then started down the trail again. Not too long after, a nearby horse, that wasn’t part of the ride and was feeding in the pasture, took off in a gallop and ran in front of my horse. Immediately, my horse bolted and ran after that horse. With my limited experience and everyone behind me yelling commands, I tried pulling several times on the reigns to stop the horse, but to no avail. We were headed for thick brush I probably wouldn’t clear. At that time, I did what most people recommend you don’t: I closed my eyes. But then I proceeded to pray, saying, “Heavenly Father, help me.” I kept my eyes closed and felt the impression to put my hands together as if I was going to dive into a swimming pool. Later, I would learn from my dad that this helped me do a rolling summersault off the horse. A few seconds later, I was laying on the ground face down. As I got up, I noticed several rocks and a tree trunk near me. Miraculously, I had only a few small scrapes on my face, a small bruise under my chin, and my glasses had been thrown quite a distance.
They then brought my horse back, which I wasn’t too excited to get back on but had to so we could get back to the ranch. I was still surprised by what had happened as someone handed me my glasses. I put them on and couldn’t see very well out of one eye. I kept asking the riders near me if my eye was okay and they said it was. Finally, I reached up to move my glasses and poked myself in the eye. To my relief, I realized the rim had had broken and the lens had fallen out. My eye was completely fine.
That day, I could have easily had my feet stuck in the stirrups, or any number of other outcomes, but I came to a profound knowledge that my Heavenly Father heard and answered my prayer and He loved me.
Hopefully you have been able to think of a time you have felt your Heavenly Father’s love in your life. Please take a moment and write down your thought.
Some of you may have struggled with this request, and that’s okay. As I share a few other thoughts, I’d like you to keep thinking about this.
In this week’s discussion board, I asked you to ponder the parables of the lost sheep, the piece of silver, and the prodigal son. Here are a few thoughts others shared from this request:
Mara Isumu said,
I am forever grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who never gave up on me, the "one," and I know He will not give up on anyone else. But as much as He loves us and waits for us to return, it is by choice that we return to Him.
Elisha Smith said,
I think it's awesome that Heavenly Father cares about each and every one of us. In the parable, it talks about Him losing one sheep, and the people look and say, “You still have 99/100. Why do you care about the one lost sheep?” But Heavenly Father cares about each of us. He doesn't want to lose anyone.
Eli Hickman said,
In reading the story of the prodigal son, I was impressed at what the prodigal son aspired to when he came to himself. He felt unworthy and went to his father with only the hope to be made a servant and given just enough to survive. To his surprise, his father welcomed him with new garments, a ring, and a feast. When I have made mistakes and have come to myself, I have felt that I am worthy of very little. However, after repenting and renewing my relationship with my Father in Heaven, I quickly come to realize that there is still so much more He wants to give me. There is so much more He can help me become.
Our Heavenly Father loves us. He wants us to be happy. He has given us so many ways to feel His love. So, how can we have a better relationship with Him?
Listen and Obey
May I suggest that we need to listen to and obey Him. Several years ago, when my daughter Reese was three, my wife had been asking her to do something multiple times with no response. The following is the conversation they had:
Mindi: Reese, what is it you hear when I open my mouth? Do you hear my words or just noise?
Reese: Quacking, mom, like a duck. Quack, quack, quack, quack!
Mindi: I guess that explains it.
Sometimes, we treat our relationship with our Heavenly Father much like a toddler and we don’t listen, understand, or obey. We make choices that don’t allow us to receive and keep the Holy Ghost and feel our Heavenly Father’s love; however, the Savior was the great example and taught us how we can.
The Savior taught, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” [1]
To do something with all of our heart, soul, and mind takes great effort. It takes looking up to our Heavenly Father in diligent prayer, humble fasting, submitting to His commandments, and faith in Him. There are many distractions today as the “large and spacious building” that Lehi taught about gets larger and beckons even louder for us to take our eyes off our Heavenly Father and His plan for us. [2] Peter the Apostle, who so wanted to follow and be like the Savior, had a miraculous test of faith. Like Peter, we all struggle at times to look up, but we need to keep going in faith. I would like to share a video of what Elder David A. Bednar said about Peter’s experience and how it applies to us today.
I envision Peter responding fervently and immediately to the Savior’s invitation. With his eyes fixed upon Jesus, he stepped out of the boat and miraculously walked on the water. Only when his gaze was diverted by the wind and the waves did he become afraid and begin to sink.
We can be blessed to conquer our fears and strengthen our faith as we follow the Lord’s instruction: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” [3]
Love for Others
The Savior taught us another way that we can feel His love and the love of our Heavenly Father. He said, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” [4]
Long ago, the early apostles learned at the feet of the Savior and witnessed many miracles of His love as He served others, forgave them of their sins, healed their broken hearts, and mended their bodies. If we look, we can still see our Savior’s love for others today.
I would like to share one such experience that happened while I was serving on my mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
My missionary companion and I were walking through a neighborhood to reach another part of the city. It was a quiet street with several homes. At one of the houses, I noticed two young women about our age watching us and talking to each other on their front porch. We were across the street walking down the sidewalk. A thought came into my mind that we should go visit with them and I stopped walking, but I quickly dismissed it thinking that we needed to get to our other destination, and I continued on. We were now a little farther past their home and again I felt impressed to go back and speak with them. I turned around and started walking back, but then quickly convinced myself again that we shouldn’t. So, I turned around and kept walking. At this point, my companion was so confused at what I was doing as I hadn’t said a word. I then had a very strong third impression and turned around again and told my companion that we needed to go back. When we reached the porch, we introduced ourselves. We discussed the doctrine of eternal families for a little while, but I didn’t really feel that our conversation made much of an impact.
Then, one of the girls said she needed to grab a few things for work and quickly went inside the house. Immediately, the Spirit rushed in and told me to say several things to the sister who was still on the porch. I testified she was a daughter of our Heavenly Father and He knew and loved her so much. I also testified that she knew what she needed to do to follow Him. I do not remember the other things, but I do remember the overwhelming love that our Heavenly Father had for her and that He knew her personally to send us that day.
We Can Love and Serve Others
If we take the time to notice, we can feel that same love for us from those around us. Take a moment to think about the love others have shown you. Maybe it includes your parents, spouse, children, church leaders, roommates, co-workers, neighbors, teachers, or even strangers.
I am grateful for the love my siblings, parents, in-laws, and extended family have shown me over the years—many of whom have traveled a great distance to be here today. I am also thankful for my wonderful wife and daughters who teach me how to love more each day. Even if they sometimes think I quack like a duck.
We can, in turn, become someone who serves others both here at BYU-Idaho and throughout the world. Try putting down the remote, video games, and phones and get involved. Here are a few examples of how you can:
- One of my Pathway students always made it a point to share the gospel with his taxi drivers as he would travel to his weekly gathering meetings.
- Some of you may be considering going on a mission. Pray about it; have faith; and if prompted, do not pass this blessing by.
- In your classes, you have the freedom to share gospel insights and testimonies. You can also help tutor others in their studies.
- Participate in student activities or help new students in Get Connected. Serve in your community with ideas from JustServe.org or during times of disaster with the Church’s Helping Hands program.
- Graduates and other church members can be BYU-Idaho online instructors to help students all over the world improve their circumstances.
- Learn to love and serve your roommates and families. There are wonderful Student Living Lessons from the university for suggestions on how to develop better relationships with your roommates. We can all study Come, Follow Me, read the scriptures, pray, be engaged in our wards, and serve together in the temple.
There are so many other ways, but just start with one and serve.
Repentance
Last of all, I would like to speak about one of the greatest ways to feel our Heavenly Father’s and Savior’s love through repentance. Our Savior suffered in agony to bring about the redeeming power of repentance.
The Savior said, “Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. By this ye may know if a man repented of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.” [5]
Repentance is not easy, nor was it meant to be. Elder Holland said of the Savior,
If He could come forward in the night, kneel down, fall on His face, bleed from every pore, and cry, “Abba, Father (Papa), if this cup can pass, let it pass,” then little wonder that salvation is not a whimsical or easy thing for us. If you wonder if there isn’t an easier way, you should remember you are not the first one to ask that. Someone a lot greater and a lot grander asked a long time ago if there wasn’t an easier way. [6]
As we repent, there may be embarrassment, loss of respect, jobs, or other outcomes as a result of our actions. Additionally, this may require meeting with the bishop, confessing our sins, and possibly additional restrictions placed upon us. As a member of the bishopric, I am sometimes involved in the repentance process of others. It is a humbling experience. Each time, I pray and hope our members can feel the love of the Savior and our support for them. I am so very grateful, and my joy is full, as I see members return with humility to the Savior for forgiveness and receive again the full blessings of the gospel.
All of these uncomfortable trials of our faith can be overcome. The outcome, if we are willing to repent, brings redeeming love, peace, eternal joy, and blessings through the cleansing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. In speaking of his conversion to his son Helaman, Alma the younger shared his experience about repentance, saying, “Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.” [7] Repentance is a wonderful blessing. Repentance can be done and must be done.
Do not listen to the Korihors of the world who say there is no God, no penalty for sins, or no Atonement of Jesus Christ. [8] There are so many personal examples of repentance in the scriptures that we can draw faith from and witness of the Savior’s love: the example of the prodigal son, Saul who later became Paul the Apostle, the people of Ammon, and so forth.
You may know of others who are struggling with repentance. Strengthen and support them as they go through the repentance process. Please do not judge them, but love them.
If you have been wronged, pray for a way to forgive others so that both you and they can be healed. President Russell M. Nelson said,
When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy—the joy of redemption in Him. When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ! [9]
The Savior said,
Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;
Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day. [10]
I hope a few of the thoughts shared today help you know you are loved, especially by your Heavenly Father and the Savior. President Thomas S. Monson testified,
Your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you. That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. It is simply there. It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there. [11]
May I invite you to act on the promptings you have had today. Consider recording an experience in your journal of when you have felt our Savior’s love, choosing a way to serve someone around you, or repenting of something that has kept you from feeling at peace.
I testify that Jesus is the Christ and He lives. Go to our Heavenly Father through prayer in patience, long-suffering, and humility. You will know of His love for you. He will bless and heal you. Jesus Christ is our advocate with the Father and has suffered all things. He truly loves you and desires for you to choose to come to Him. I testify of this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
[1] Matthew 22:37-38.
[2] 1 Nephi 8:25-27.
[3] David A. Bednar, “Therefore They Hushed Their Fears,” Ensign, May 2015.
[4] Matthew 22:39.
[5] D&C 58:42-43.
[6] Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Missionary Work and the Atonement,” from a talk given at the Provo MTC, Jun. 20, 2000.
[7] Alma 36:21; emphasis added.
[8] See Alma 30.
[9] President Russell M. Nelson, “We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign, May 2019.
[10] 3 Nephi 27:20-22.
[11]President Thomas S. Monson, “We Never Walk Alone,” Ensign, Nov. 2013.