The Love of God

"What is the most desirable, delicious, and joyous to the soul?"

Bishop asked this question on Sunday during Relief Society. Someone said, "The Tree of Life." He said that wasn't what he was looking for, so I figured the answer was somewhere outside of the Vision of the Tree of Life.

Thinking about what was 'desirable, delicious, and joyous' to my soul I turned to the sweet fruits I have felt over the last few weeks. For me the sweetness came in my growing testimony of the enabling and strengthening power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

My thoughts were interrupted when he instructed us to turn to 1 Nephi 11:22-23. Nephi desired to see what is father saw in the Vision of the Tree of Life. As he is talking to the angel we learn the following about the Tree and Nephi's understanding of it:

22 And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the ^alove of God, which ^bsheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the ^cmost desirable above all things.

23 And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most ^ajoyous to the soul.

In looking for an answer I allowed myself to complicate things and I missed the obvious answer I knew: The love of God is the most desirable, delicious, and joyous to the soul. Plain and simple.

This teaching was re-newed to me last night as I read through some scriptures in Alma. Aaron is teaching King Lamoni's father the gospel. As he taught him the gospel and expounded the teachings of the scriptures, Lamoni's father feels the spirit and asks:

" ^aWhat shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be ^bborn of God, having this wicked spirit ^crooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up ^dall that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy."

Aaron tells him all he has to do is repent, have faith and believe that he will receive and answer to his prayer, "then shalt thou receive the ^bhope which thou desirest."

Lamoni's father felt the love of God through this young missionary and was willing to give up everything he had to have more of it in his life. Feeling of this immense love, "he did minister unto them, insomuch that his ^bwhole household were ^cconverted unto the Lord."

When you feel the love of God in your life, you are able to help others feel the love of God in their lives. Once you are purified by His love, you will become that window to His love for all to see. When you are filled with His love, you will be filled with love for yourself.

So, I ask you:
- What does the love of God look like in your life?
- Do you personally feel the love of God in your life?
- When was the last time you felt His love?
- Have you felt it today?

If you struggle, as I have struggled, I share with you the council from Moroni:

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, ^apray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true ^bfollowers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall ^cbe like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be ^dpurified even as he is pure."

Bishop concluded, "When you get enough of the spirit in your life, the things that seemed to be important will fall out of your life, and you will be filled with the Holy Spirit and love of God."

To feel the love of God is the most worthwhile pursuit! If you feel like you have fallen face first on the ground (as I have done several times), it's OK. Get up and keep going. As you keep working toward perfection you look at yourself, and you will be able to see what God sees, and that is a beautiful son or daughter of God.