Elder Dallin H. Oaks - God's Love and CommandmentsGod's love is shown in all the blessings of His gospel plan. God's love should guide parents in their teachings.
Some people disbelieve eternal laws based on their own understanding of [what God should act like, or what His love should be like].
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. He sent His son to suffer and die for us because He loves us so much!
God's love is tied to His laws. It is not completely unconditional. Mercy cannot rob justice. Those who receive mercy are they who received the covenant and kept the commandment. God's anger and wrath are part of His love. He wants us to become like Him and is displeased when we do not follow Him.
We obtain blessings from God based on obedience to His laws. Agency is fundamental to the plan that brings us to earth. God will bless us if we endure the poor choices of others but He will not stop them [most of the time].
Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth.
The straying of our loved ones will detract from our happiness but should not from our love.
Prophets and apostles testify of God.
Some people might be surprised that we look like God. Some theologians even think it is making a "graven image" to even picture God as looking like us. But God Himself said, "Let us make man in our own image and likeness."
God has a face. He walks and talks. Enoch spoke with Him. God has a body with parts like ours. His glory and countenance are greater than the sun.
Joseph saw and talked with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Joseph's was a special witness of God.
Korihor not only disbelieved in God but also ridiculed Him. He mocked the believers. Alma replied, "All things denote there is a God."
Cultivate a diligent desire to know that God lives. This will lead to a softened heart. Most of us will not see God as the prophet has but the still small voice of the Holy Ghost will give us an undeniable knowledge that God lives.
With your own testimony of God you will be able to bless your family, your posterity, your friends, and many others.
The Savior's arms are open and extended. They are arms of mercy and safety. They are lengthened all the day long, open unto us. God is He who comforts us.
When we sin we turn away from God. When we repent, we turn back unto God. The call to repent is a call to turn around and re-turn to God. It is a call to change and feel the happiness of keeping the commandments.
We each need to feel the arms of mercy through the repentance of our sins.
If it feels too difficult to change and if you feel if no one can understand what you are going through, the Savior understands. He will provide the strength to change.
Repentance becomes part of our daily lives. Partaking of the sacrament is a way to acknowledge our dependence upon the Lord.
The scriptures do not say that we will forget our forsaken sins in mortality but rather that the Lord will forget. [We should not, however, dwell to much upon our sins].
In this life it is never too late to repent.
We are part of God's great plan of happiness. There was a war in heaven where Satan rebelled against God.
We have been given agency and must use it wisely.
The Holy Ghost can communicate through the mind more than the physical senses. We might feel the promptings of the Spirit more than hear them.
Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind and heart. Pray on your knees. Prayer is your personal key to heaven.
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