At the end of a very long ward council this morning, our bishop closed by saying that all the things we had been discussing were a great testimony to him of how God loves his children. It had been really ordinary things we had been discussing too. We had a presentation about LDS social services, we had received a report from the ward mission, and talked about the calendar, mostly. What a great thing it was to have a bishop remind us that all these things are because the Lord loves us and wants us to be happy. He has provided so many things to help us on our way--inspired social services, the blessing of sharing the gospel, and even the chance to meet together and correlate our calendars and talk about the needs of each organization in the ward. Each is an evidence of God's love for us.
It reminded me of what I read in the scriptures this week. I was reading in Alma 40-42 and I kept being struck with how merciful and loving the Lord is to his children. As I went back to find which scriptures said those actual words, I was surprised to read that most of what I had read was just a very clear explanation of the plan of salvation. The only words about love and mercy were about the distinction between justice and mercy and how God's justice cannot be thwarted even by his mercy. It doesn't actually say the words that God loves his children extravagantly. It just details the evidence and extent of that love--which are perfectly illustrated by the plan He has for his children. The actual words I was looking for in what I felt are in a completely different book of scripture. It's 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. It's also in 1 Nephi:
21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! 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.
I want to be more like my bishop and see evidence of God's love in everything He gives me. I want to see with my own eyes how all things testify of Christ. Even long meetings.
It reminded me of what I read in the scriptures this week. I was reading in Alma 40-42 and I kept being struck with how merciful and loving the Lord is to his children. As I went back to find which scriptures said those actual words, I was surprised to read that most of what I had read was just a very clear explanation of the plan of salvation. The only words about love and mercy were about the distinction between justice and mercy and how God's justice cannot be thwarted even by his mercy. It doesn't actually say the words that God loves his children extravagantly. It just details the evidence and extent of that love--which are perfectly illustrated by the plan He has for his children. The actual words I was looking for in what I felt are in a completely different book of scripture. It's 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. It's also in 1 Nephi:
21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! 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.
I want to be more like my bishop and see evidence of God's love in everything He gives me. I want to see with my own eyes how all things testify of Christ. Even long meetings.
Yes. I agree. Well said.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to be grateful in all things. I love when you express your deepest feelings. They need to be recorded.
ReplyDeleteYou have beautiful thoughts in that beautiful head of yours.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful thoughts Heather ... Thanks for sharing them with me!
ReplyDelete