The Goodness of God

In his recent general conference address, Elder Renlund stated, “Throughout time, even and especially during difficult times, prophets have encouraged us to remember the greatness of God and to consider what He has done for us as individuals, as families, and as a people.” He suggested that this encouragement is especially prominent in the Book of Mormon, such as when Moroni encouraged us to read, ponder, pray, and “remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men” (Moroni 10:3). The book also begins with a statement from Nephi that he “had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God” and his story invites us to come to that knowledge (1 Nephi 1:1). His brother Jacob had that same knowledge according to his father Lehi: “Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God” (2 Nephi 2:2).  He subsequently gave us an invitation in these words, “Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel” (2 Nephi 9:40). Later King Benjamin encouraged us to retain that kind of knowledge of God’s goodness and greatness, saying, “As ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you” (Mosiah 4:11). These and other scriptures encourage us to always remember God’s greatness and His goodness towards us.

Of course, we are not encouraged to remember God’s greatness because of what it does for God but what it does for us. Elder Renlund explained, “I do not think that God is insulted when we forget Him. Rather, I think He is deeply disappointed. He knows that we have deprived ourselves of the opportunity to draw closer to Him by remembering Him and His goodness. We then miss out on Him drawing nearer to us and the specific blessings He has promised.” He left us this invitation, “I invite you to remember each day the greatness of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and what They have done for you. Let your consideration of Their goodness more firmly bind your wandering heart to Them. Ponder Their compassion, and you will be blessed with added spiritual sensitivity and become more Christlike. Contemplating Their empathy will help you ‘hold out faithful to the end,’ until you ‘are received into heaven’ to ‘dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.’”  So how do we do this? Surely daily devotion in prayer and studying the scriptures is a part of remembering God’s goodness and greatness.  Another obvious way is through worshiping the Lord through music. Many hymns and similar religious music are aimed to help us remember God’s goodness and greatness. We sing “How Great Thou Art” and “Great is the Lord,” encouraging “Saints, Behold How Great Jehovah” while pleading “Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah.” As we contemplate the infinite atoning sacrifice of the Savior, we “Stand All Amazed” and we “Behold the Great Redeemer Die,” remembering “How Great the Wisdom and the Love.” Indeed, “We’ll Sing All Hail to Jesus’ Name” as we ponder “Jesus of Nazareth, Savior and King.” We sing “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” and “Rejoice, the Lord is King,” knowing that “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” Listening to, singing, and pondering hymns such as these can lead us to sing and shout “with the armies of heaven, Hosana, hosanna to God and the Lamb!” I thank the Lord for His mercy and help and love each day in my life, and hope I can remember the message of these hymns and scriptures of God’s goodness towards all of us.