President Dieter F. Uchtdorf an outstanding talk last October. I have been so inspired as I have read and studied these words. This post is filled with quote after quote, but they all spoke so clearly to my heart.
He begins by asking: "How Do We Become True Disciples of Jesus Christ?
The Savior Himself provided the answer with this profound declaration: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” This is the essence of what it means to be a true disciple: those who receive Christ Jesus walk with Him."
"Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk."
Every year at Christmas time it seams that love is increased tremendously. We want o spend more time with family and friends. We have a strong desire to share the gospel, the story of his birth and that He still lives today! It is a time where we forgive more easily and we want to be better. It is a time when we remember. It is a time when our love is increased.
He continues by asking "Why Should We Love God?" and then answers, "God the Eternal Father did not give that first great commandment because He needs us to love Him. His power and glory are not diminished should we disregard, deny, or even defile His name. His influence and dominion extend through time and space independent of our acceptance, approval, or admiration.
"No, God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God!
For what we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are—and who we will become."
oh, I love that! Through the simple act of Loving our Heavenly Father, it molds us into becoming better, into becoming who we should be.
He then asks, "Why Does Heavenly Father Love Us? Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount—that is the measure of God’s love for you."
I can only imagine! My love for my family is all consuming, and to multiple that by one much less infinitely is beyond my comprehension!
President Uchtdorf says, "He loves us because He is filled with an infinite measure of holy, pure, and indescribable love. We are important to God not because of our résumé but because we are His children. He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken. God’s love is so great that He loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant, and the wicked.
"What this means is that, regardless of our current state, there is hope for us. No matter our distress, no matter our sorrow, no matter our mistakes, our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father desires that we draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us."
"How Can We Increase Our Love of God? Seeking God with all our hearts implies much more than simply offering a prayer or pronouncing a few words inviting God into our lives. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.” We can make a great production of saying that we know God. We can proclaim publicly that we love Him. Nevertheless, if we don’t obey Him, all is in vain, for “he that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him".
We increase our love for our Heavenly Father and demonstrate that love by aligning our thoughts and actions with God’s word. His pure love directs and encourages us to become more pure and holy. It inspires us to walk in righteousness—not out of fear or obligation but out of an earnest desire to become even more like Him because we love Him."
As I celebrate his birth this year, I am going to do it in a new way. No only will my prayers be offered to ask for the true spirit of Christmas and to gain a stronger testimony this holiday season, but I will also put those prayers into action. I will seek out the lonely, I will help those in need. I will teach my children. I will try to love those I just pass by and come in contact with and I will try to love those I already love more deeply.
"Why Is Love the Great Commandment? How clearly the Savior spoke when He said that every other commandment hangs upon the principle of love. If we do not neglect the great laws—if we truly learn to love our Heavenly Father and our fellowman with all our heart, soul, and mind—all else will fall into place."
He then concludes with this beautiful statement, "Let us be known as a people who love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and who love our neighbor as ourselves. When we understand and practice these two great commandments in our families, in our wards and branches, in our nations, and in our daily lives, we will begin to understand what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus the Christ."
This season, I will make room for him.
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