It is a significant blessing and honor to be invited to speak to you this morning as part of the BYU–Idaho Education Week event. Rexburg and eastern Idaho hold significant place in my heart because my own family roots are deep in this soil. My sweet mother, who is here with us this morning, was born just down the road a piece in Idaho Falls. Many of our family members have been students of this great university and a few have even been part of the faculty here.
President Kim Clark has been and continues to be a gracious host and valued friend. I have known of his teaching and leadership skills by reputation for many years but experienced them first hand when he was called to serve as the coordinator of the Open House activities for the beautiful Boston Temple. He is a gifted leader and is very sensitive to the learning and teaching process. How blessed the Church and this university is to have the capable leadership of President Kim Clark. I’m sure you will all enjoy his and Sister Clark’s messages tomorrow.
Today I desire to share with you some very deeply ingrained feelings that are in some respect very personal and yet from my view significantly important to our own individual growth and eventual return to Father in Heaven. Because of the tender nature of this subject, I sincerely pray for the spirit of the Lord to bless each of us in this room that the message delivered might be His message for us and not just the one I’ve prepared.
By the way, it is my belief that you are ultimately responsible to hear and respond to the spiritual messages the Lord wants heard today. So if you hear or feel a spiritual prompting, you might say to yourself, “that was a powerful thought, I wonder what I should do with it?” Let me suggest a process that has helped me.
First, in your mind convert the prompting into a personal statement of action;
Second, write it down;
Third, act on that action statement until you have fulfilled the promises of the prompting.
I sincerely pray that you will be blessed in you hearts and minds that you might fully hear and act upon the promptings of the HOLY SPIRIT.
I am grateful every day for the pattern the Lord has taught and demonstrated for us to find ultimate joy and peace which is in my mind returning His Holy presence. Isaiah counseled us to Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:[1] Then said he when we have sought and found the Lord “ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace:”[2] In a few words, Isaiah is describing the ultimate feelings and expression of Heaven which to me is embodied in the Lord’s commandment to LOVE one another as He loved us.
The Saviors feelings of LOVE for us know no boundaries. We can not offend Him enough that He would stop loving us. However, it is possible for us to offend Him through our disobedience, and it is therefore incumbent upon us to reconcile those offences so that the consequences of our behavior don’t keep us from His out stretched arms of mercy and love.
I have often pondered the experience of Father Lehi as he stood at the foot of the Tree of Life having just partaken of the fruit of the tree. The scriptures record:
12 And 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.
13 And as I cast my eyes round about, that perhaps I might discover my family also, I beheld a river of water; and it ran along, and it was near the tree of which I was partaking the fruit.
14 And I looked to behold from whence it came; and I saw the head thereof a little way off; and at the head thereof I beheld your mother Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi; and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go.
15 And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit.
16 And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also.
17 And it came to pass that I was desirous that Laman and Lemuel should come and partake of the fruit also; wherefore, I cast mine eyes towards the head of the river, that perhaps I might see them.
18 And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would not come unto me and partake of the fruit.[3]
So it is with each of us, brothers and sisters, we must of our own choice accept the Lord’s call to come to the tree and partake of the fruit. But that is a subject for another occasion. Today, I would like to focus on Lehi’s feelings as he partook of the fruit.
Recall to mind the words again that he spoke, “And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy;
What is this fruit of which he partook? Listen further to his description as he interacted with the angel sent to teach him:
21 . . . Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?
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.
24 And after he had said these words, he said unto me: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Son of God going forth among the children of men; and I saw many fall down at his feet and worship him.
25 And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God.[4]
Love is the ultimate pattern and expression of God. It is through this gift of love that we are brought back into the presence of our Father in Heaven. It is the first and great commandment. It is the power of the atonement and the cause of the resurrection. It is the spirit of the temple and the gift of Family Happiness.
Love can not be purchased or sold but it can be given and received.
Listen to this insight from President Hinckley as he recalled this experience from his childhood.
“When I was a little boy, we children traded paper hearts at school on Valentine's Day. At night we dropped them at the doors of our friends, stamping on the porch and then running in the dark to hide. Almost without exception those valentines had printed on their face, "I love you." I have since come to know that love is more than a paper heart. Love is of the very essence of life. It is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yet it is more than the end of the rainbow. Love is at the beginning also, and from it springs the beauty that arches across the sky on a stormy day. Love is the security for which children weep, the yearning of youth, the adhesive that binds marriage, and the lubricant that prevents devastating friction in the home; it is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death.”
I repeat, Love can not be purchased or sold. It is given freely and when genuine it is given without a condition of anything in return.
A few days ago I returned home after a long day in the office. As I walked in the door I was met by our three year old granddaughter, Anna.
With total love she reached her little hands out and said, “Grandpa, you home.” Then she ran to me and wrapped her arms around my legs and put her head on my knees.
Do you know what I felt? Love in its purest form. But that was only the warm up. As we sat down to dinner, she came back in the room and came over to where I was seated. She took hold of my two fingers and squeezed them as tightly as her little hand could squeeze. Then looking into my eyes and with a twinkle in hers she said, “I love you.”
But even that was not the real magic of that moment. The magic or power in her expression was that she had no ulterior motive. She simply wanted to say what she felt within her little heart and soul.
Such is the love spoken of by the Savior as reflected in this favorite Hymn,
As I have loved you,
Love one another.
This new commandment:
Love one another.
By this shall men know
Ye are my disciples,
If ye have love
One to another.
Through out His ministry, the Savior demonstrated and expressed about the importance of showing and being filled with LOVE.
The Gospel of Mark records that the Savior was asked,
“Which is the first commandment of all?”
29 Jesus answered: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
30 “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
31 There is none other commandment greater than these”[5]
Matthew records a similar conversation but adds this significant phrase to the message:
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.[6]
What is the Law and the prophets? It is the key that allows us to open the door and enter the Kingdom of God. The law represents the ordinances and accompanying covenants and the prophets represent the keys of authority and the line through which the Lord communicates.
These two statements of “none greater than these” and “on these hang all the law and prophets” have caused me in recent weeks to be more focused on trying to better understand the meaning of this very strong and repeated commandment of the Lord.
President Hinckley expressed his feelings about this command when he said: “To love the Lord is not just counsel; it is not just well-wishing. It is a commandment. It is the first and great commandment incumbent upon each of us because loveof God is the root from which spring all other types of love; love of God is the root of all virtue, of all goodness, of all strength of character, of all fidelity to do right. Love the Lord your God, and love His Son, and be ever grateful for their lovefor us. Whenever other love fades, there will be that shining, transcendent, everlasting love of God for each of us and the love of His Son, who gave His life for us.”[7]
The words “love” and “charity” appear 696 times in the scriptures. That is nearly 150 more times than the word “remember” appears. I have always thought that “remember” was the operative word of the scriptures. Perhaps it is simply that the Lord wants us to remember to love Him with all our heart, might, mind and strength and to love those who are within our circle of influence.
What is Love?
Simply stated it is deep devotion and affection towards God and His creations.
Developing a Love for God and his Children goes far beyond the traits of faith, hope and charity. It includes devotion, adoration, reverence, submissiveness, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, gratitude, kindness, patience, obedience, diligence, service and more.
Listen to these words of the Lord as he spoke of the attribute of LOVE:
- "If ye love me, keep my commandments."[8]
- "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."[9]
- "12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."[10] - "43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"[11] - "7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."[12] - "And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care."[13]
Don’t you get the impression that the developing this attribute of “LOVE OF GOD” is a high priority in the mind of the Lord?
As I read these scriptures there are many reflections of Love that seem to jump out at me.
May I just mention three or four.
Love is a reflection of our obedience to the commandments.
This past spring I stood at the door of the Nauvoo Temple and looked out towards the great bend of the river surrounding this City Beautiful. In the foreground of this scene stood two heroic sized statues of Joseph and Hyrum on their mounts leaving Nauvoo for Carthage.
Looking at this rendering brings to my mind the reflection of obedience and leads me to think of loyalty. One of the great examples of loyalty and obedience was Hyrum Smith, the prophet’s brother. Remember Joseph’s expression of love to his brother when many others were abandoning the prophet.
“I could pray in my heart that all my brethren were like unto my beloved brother Hyrum, who possesses the mildness of a lamb, and the integrity of Job, and in short, the meekness and humility of Christ; and I love him with that love that is stronger than death, for I never had occasion to rebuke him, nor he me.”
In addition to Joseph’s tribute, the Lord spoke of His love for Hyrum:
15 And again, verily I say unto you, blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith; for I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right before me, saith the Lord.[14]
I love the example of love and loyalty demonstrated by these brothers.
Another reflection of Love is found in service to others and blessing them without regard to return or recognition
While traveling with Elder Scott on one occasion I witnessed this expression of love and service by one of the Lord’s anointed. We were preparing to attend a stake leadership meeting when a call came from a missionary who was about 30 minutes away from the meeting house. A woman in a family they had been teaching had just been diagnosed with a serious disease and wondered if it would be possible to receive a priesthood blessing.
There were many alternative actions that could have been taken that day but Elder Scott in the moment decided he wanted to participate in the giving of the blessing to this yet unbaptized woman who had faith in the Savior and His power.
When we arrived at the home the woman’s husband and three year old daughter met us at the door. We were ushered to a room where the mother was resting and waiting. In a most gracious and loving way Elder Scott spoke to the family and taught them of the Saviors Love. He then asked the woman if she would like a blessing. Through her grateful tears and being full of faith she responded, “Yes.”
I will long have in my remembrance the feeling of love that was witnessed as an apostle of the Lord acted out of a spirit of Love without regard to recognition or return. To this day I don’t know what the long term result of that visit was, but I know my witness of love and kindness extended without restraint or need for anything except extending a hand of love was expanded that day.
President Hinckley has taught us that “love of God and love for and service to others—neighbors, family, and all with whom we have association must be the foundation of our instruction and our example. That which we teach must be constantly gauged against these two standards established by the Lord. If we shall do so, this work will continue to roll forward.”[15]
The third reflection I would mention is: One who has Love is not judgmental or one who has major anger towards others.
While participating in the open house of several temples there frequently are individuals who come with the intent of disrupting the open house by demonstrating or passing out literature that is not reflective of the Church purpose or direction. At the Madrid Spain temple the missionaries became very frustrated, maybe even angry at those who were passing out Church look alike pamphlets to guests coming to the open house, that were in fact antagonistic towards the Church.
The missionaries felt it would be appropriate to fight fire with fire and move these demonstrators on.
Their mission president had another idea. He suggested the missionaries take a drink of lemonade to the demonstrators and try and engage them in a friendly conversation. In a spirit of love they approached these folks and visited with them. The missionaries’ kindness was surprising to the demonstrators and so took them off guard that they soon left the temple grounds and didn’t return.
We all learned that loving them that despitefully use you is much more effective than attacking them with our fury.
There are significant blessings of peace and joy that are evident in the lives of those who have developed these reflections of LOVE.
Listen to the Words of the Lord and His prophets as they define the blessings:
After commanding them to love one another, the Savior promised them as follows:
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.[16]
Holy Spirit
I asked my mother if she could put into words her feelings of love and comfort that she has felt over the years since my father’s death. She spoke of the love she has felt from her family and from her service in the temple. She reminded me that often the Holy Spirit comforts us through the love that others show towards us. Then she told me of sweet experience that I would like to share with you that I feel reflects the gift of Love that come through the Holy Spirit working through others.
Mother spoke of a sister who she saw while attending the temple in Salt Lake. The sister was in the same room of the temple but seated several rows in front of mother. The sister turned to look at mother as she entered the room and smiled at her. Mother returned the smile and sat down. Several times over the next hour the sister turned around and smiled at mother. Mother would always smile back. Near the end of the time in the temple the sister turned and whispered something to mother which she was unable to understand. So mother simply responded with, I’ll see you in the Celestial Room. In a few minutes Mother walked into the Celestial Room and looked for the sister. She saw her and walked to wards her. The sister stood and embraced mother, who responded with her own embrace and said to her, “Do I know you?”
The sister responded, “No, but my Father in Heaven does.” She then explained that she was from Houston Texas and that her own mother had died a few days earlier and that she had just arrived in Salt Lake and had come directly to the temple hoping to feel some comfort and solace. Mother’s size and smile was just like her mothers and when she saw mother walk into the room, she knew the Lord had answered her prayer and sent her an angel like her mother to give her comfort that all was well. Mother expressed her love for her and said, “Let’s write.” A week later a letter arrived at mother’s home. Subsequently, they have corresponded several times.
Comfort provided by the Holy Ghost is often given through other persons.
The scriptures specify another blessing of love:
15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.
16 And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.
17 There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of –ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.[17]
Today there is a polarization of good and evil. The growth of temples is an effort to reduce the contention and strife in the land. To me the building of the temple in Freiberg, Germany had a direct influence on the coming down of the Berlin wall and the growth of the Church in Eastern Europe. As temples continue to grow we will see this magnet of spiritual strength and LOVE spread out across the earth. President Clark will remember some of the deep feelings of anger that existed among a few at the building of the Boston Temple. Some of the neighbors were frustrated that their walking area was being taken away by the building of the temple.
However, after the temple and grounds were completed, the neighbors were invited to be among the first to visit the temple. They walked the grounds and through the halls of the temple. The peace of the Lord’s spirit which was resident there seemed to overcome them and they were softened. Several wrote letters of apology and asked if they would be welcome to walk the grounds of the temple. Love prevailed and the spirit of peace flowed in.
15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.
18 And how blessed were they! For the Lord did bless them in all their doings; yea, even they were blessed and prospered . . .[18]
Today we are experiencing some of the blessings that come through the work and resources of faithful members.
Blessed and Prospered
Many in the Church are willing to give of their scarce resources as well as of their excess to bless the lives of others. The building of temples is a wonderful example of what is possible. In the early days of the Church many of the Saints gave all they had to the building of the temples commanded by the Lord. Today we have the same commandment but there are many who lighten the load of the suffering to provide beautiful temples where many can now worship and be blessed by the presence of the Lord.
Several years ago a gift was received to assist members of the Church who couldn’t afford to travel to a temple. A generous Latter-day Saint made a significant donation to the Church to be used in any to assist those who couldn’t afford the cost of traveling to the temple. This original donation became the start of what is now known as the Temple Patron’s Assistance Fund. Through the generosity of those who have prospered a way has been developed to assist behind the scenes those who are unable to come to the temple to receive their own blessings.
The last blessing of LOVE that I will mention today is that of sanctification. The scriptures say:
31 And we know also, that sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength.[19]
Sanctified
I’m grateful for an earthly father who in my view was worthy of sanctification. While he served in many Church callings that really had little to do with his reaching this level of love in life. He genuinely loved his fellow man and tried with all his heart to serve them. Being a member of the Church had no bearing on how he served them. Today 11 years after his death I still meet people who want to tell me of the experiences they had with him where they felt the love of heaven. In his later years he experienced a serious health challenge leaving him unable to serve others as desired so gave his entire effort to loving and blessing his children and grandchildren. In my mind he embodied the message of this scripture.
"5 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him.
6 Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
7 Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things."[20]
So Ultimately I believe our hope is that we will experience the counsel and instruction expressed by Mormon.
"47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren and sisters, 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 and daughters of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him,"[21]
For me the ultimate expression of LOVE is the gift given to each of us by the Savior himself. It is difficult for me to imagine the terrible pain he suffered in the garden. He himself says that he trembled because of the pain and would that he not shrink, that he might not fail to partake fully of the bitter cup and finish the Atonement.
In his abiding love for each of us, and His desire to do His Father’s will, he did not shrink.
Said He: I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.[22]
Why did He do this?
Listen to Nephi’s words:
And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it.
Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.[23]
There are the words, brothers and sisters, LOVING KINDNESS.
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the redeemed would mention the loving kindness of their Lord, and all that he has bestowed upon them would be according to his goodness, and according to his loving kindness, forever and ever.
I conclude with where we began. Listen to each one of these words as sung by those who have most recently been in his presence.
As I have loved you,
Love one another.
This new commandment:
Love one another.
By this shall men know
Ye are my disciples,
If ye have love
One to another.[24]
Remember the words of the Lord recorded by Isaiah:
"11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace:"[25]
I believe the word spoken of by Isaiah was Love which includes charity and that the results of receiving and nurturing this feeling are joy and peace. To me this is the message of the Holy One of Israel and should be our message in all of our relationships.
Testimony
My testimony as his witness is that He does love us and that He is a being of LOVE.
Notes
[1] Isaiah 55:6
[2] Isaiah 55:12
[3] 1 Nephi 8:12- 18
[4] 1 Nephi 11:21 - 25
[5] Mark 12:29-31
[6] Matthew 22:40
[7] Ricks College Regional Conference, Rexburg, Idaho, October 29, 1995; TP319
[8] John 14:15
[9] John 15:10
[10] John 15:12-14
[11] Matthew 5:43-44
[12] 1 John 4:7-8
[13] D&C 12:8
[14] D&C 124:15
[15] ("He Slumbers Not, nor Sleeps," Ensign, May 1983, p. 8.) Hinckley, Gordon B.TP316 - 317
[16] John 14:16,18
[17] 4 Nephi 1:15-17
[18] 4 Nephi 1:15,18
[19] D&C 20:31
[20] D&C 59:5-7
[21] Moroni 7:47-48
[22] 3 Nephi 11:11
[23] 1 Nephi 19:9
[24] Hymn 308, Love One Another
[25] Isaiah 55:11-12