President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: The Love of God

This is a great talk. I don't know how many comments I will have. I mostly just have one big question at the beginning: How do I develop love for God and others in my life. By the time I get to the end of the highlights from the talk, I hope to have some guidance.

How Do We Become True Disciples of Jesus Christ? "If you love me, keep my commandments."
But this may present a problem for some because there are so many "shoulds" and "should nots" that merely keeping track of them can be a challenge. Sometimes, well-meaning amplifications of divine principles-many coming from uninspired sources-complicate matters further diluting the purity of divine truth with man-made addenda. One person's good idea-something that may work for him or her-takes root and becomes an expectation. And gradually, eternal principles can get lost within the labyrinth of "good ideas."


I really like that part. "Well-meaning amplifications of divine principles." What an interesting way to put it. "One person's good idea . . . becomes an expectation." We need to guard against that. Continuing

This was one of the Savior's criticisms of the religious "experts" of His day, whom He chastised for attending to the hundreds of minor details of the law while neglecting the weightier matters.


So how do we stay aligned with these weightier matters? Is there a constant compass that can help us prioritize our lives, thoughts, and actions?


Once again the Savior revealed the way. When asked to name the greatest commandment, He did not hesitate. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." He said, "This is the first and great commandment." Coupled with the second great commandment-to love our neighbor as ourselves-we have a compass that provides direction not only for our lives but also for the Lord's Church on both sides of the veil.


So there is a "constant compass" to help us prioritize our lives, thoughts, and actions. That is the two great commandments.

When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our was as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden.


I feel like I still have a long ways to go before I "understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us" but the promises are worth the trouble and trial of learning. I like that last sentence. It would make a good measuring stick for how well I am loving as Jesus loves: when "obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden."

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.


Love is the defining characteristic of a disciple of Christ.


At the heart of misery from the days of Adam until today, you will find the love of wrong things. And at the heart of joy, you will find the love of good things.

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.


Since "God is love," the closer we approach Him, the more profoundly we experience love.


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.


Here are some of the solid answers I am looking for: increase and demonstrate our love by aligning our thoughts and actions with God's word. I like the result, doing what's right not out of fear or obligation but out of a desire to be more like Him. That is another good gauge of how I can be doing.

My dear brothers and sisters, don't get discouraged if you stumble at times. Don't feel downcast or despair if you don't feel worthy to be a disciple of Christ at all times. The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try. We must try to believe. Try to learn of God: read the scriptures; study the words of His latter-day prophets; choose to listen to the Father, and do the things He asks of us. Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible-and that which becomes possible-and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you.


Great counsel for getting started and persevering during trials to finally make love a habit and part of me.

If you listen for the voice of the Father, He will lead you on a course that will allow you to experience the pure love of Christ.


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.


Love is the guiding light that illuminates the disciples path and fills our daily walk with life, meaning, and wonder.


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.


I do have a better idea of the answer to my original question. No it is time to get to work!