Divine Love

At this time of year we rightfully speak much about the love that God has for us and has given us.  In particular we speak of the love of the Savior in being willing to come down among the children of men to offer His life a ransom for sin for all the world.  We also speak of the love of the Father who gave us that Son: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).  We know that God’s love is infinite in capacity and perfect, and that He loves all of His children.  We read in the account of Enoch that His love is so great for even the wicked that He weeps at their rebellion: “And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept” (Moses 7:18).  He wept over them because “they [were] without affection, and they hate their own blood” (Moses 7:32).  Enoch’s vision gives us a glimpse of just how deeply the Lord feels for each of us no matter what it is that we do while on the earth.  

                One of the phrases that we often here is that God’s love is “unconditional”.  I think the idea that is trying to testify of the fact that God will always love us no matter what he do.  And surely that is true—God’s love is for all of the world, even the most wicked.  But, as Elder Nelson wrote, it is not scriptural language to say that God’s love is unconditional.  He said, “While divine love can be called perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal, it cannot correctly be characterized as unconditional” (see here).  I think that what Elder Nelson is trying to teach us is that experiencing God’s love in our life is in fact conditional upon our choosing correctly.  Nephi said it this way in the Book of Mormon: “Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God….  And he loveth those who will have him to be their God” (1 Nephi 17:35, 40).  In other words, while God “esteemeth” us all of the same value and is “no respecter of persons,” to experience that love for ourselves there are conditions that we have to meet (Acts 10:34).  In the Old Testament we read get the same principle: “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”  In the New Testament Christ spoke about His love often and constantly encouraged His disciples to choose the way of eternal life.  “If ye keep my commandments, yes shall abide in my love” (John 15:10).  He also said, “He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).  This clearly implies that there is some level of love from the Father that is not available to those who do not choose to follow the Savior.  The fulness of God’s love comes to us conditionally as we make and keep covenants.