Lesson Summary - "The Love of God" - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"The Love of God" - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

This is an absolutely beautiful talk, and I encourage you GREATLY to read it for yourself. He does a much better job of talking about it than I do. I promise!

He asks the question "Are there attributes above all others that should define us as members of His Church, even as disciples of Jesus Christ?" Ironically enough, he answers this question with other questions.

How do we become true disciples of Christ?

In our lesson today, several sisters said that keeping the commandments and loving and serving others was a great way to become true disciples. Christ told us in the New Testament that the greatest commandment is "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Mark 12:30-31). If we follow the first commandment, then the second one should be a little easier.

Why should we love God?

Obviously, God has given us everything. He deserves our love. And even though he's commanded it, he doesn't need it. It is US that need to love him. I liked what someone said, "What we love determines what we seek." If we love God then we will seek to serve him and keep his commandments. If we love worldly things like money, then we will seek that which doesn't lead to happiness at all. Since we are God's children we have a great capacity to love as he does.

Why does He love us?

Good question, right? Sometimes I feel like such a huge screw-up, but for some reason God still loves me. I guess it's the same reason I still love my kids even when they disobey and drive me crazy. They're my kids, and I want them to succeed at life. I want what's best for them. Now, take that times a gazillion, and that's Heavenly Father's love for us. Our teacher said that this was her favorite paragraph:

"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 resume 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."

I liked this one: "Regardless of our current state, there is hope for us."

How can we increase our love of God?

One sister suggested engaging ourselves more when we do temple work. Another said we should also do that in our callings. I liked that one of the sisters said that doing service is HUGE! It's a great way to feel closer to Heavenly Father. There are opportunities for service all around. Today, actually, I had my baby with me. I conducted the meeting and while I was walking around trying to get announcements and such, one of the ladies offered to hold her for me. Later while I was trying to take notes, another wonderful lady just came and took her from me and kept her for the rest of the lesson. THAT was a great service to me! And what great examples they're setting for the rest of us in watching out for our fellow (wo)man). (Thanks, ladies! You're the best!)

How can we hear God's voice?

We've got to make the effort! Sometimes life gets so busy, we can't hear his voice. Our teacher explained how she is working and going to school and has maybe an hour home a day. It gets difficult for her to find time to do spiritual things sometimes! I know that most people can relate to that feeling. But I know that in my own life, when I take time to do spiritual things, my life runs so much smoother, and I am more able to recognize the Holy Ghost when he speaks to me.

Why is love the greatest commandment?

If we love God, we will WANT to follow his other commandments. I absolutely loved one sister's comment about how when we learn to love, it changes us. Other commandments we are asked to do, like paying tithing, may not change us. But learning to love like God loves will change our lives. Another sister pointed out that it's hard! It's hard to love some people some times. It's easier to just not like them! It requires more of us to love and accept people. Our teacher also told us that it's important to love ourselves. It can be difficult to love others if we don't love ourselves.

So going back to his original question of what's the most important attribute of all?

The answer is simple... Love. Love God. Love your neighbor. Just love!

The Christmas Spirit

I left early from church Sunday because of a sick baby, so I don't have a lesson summary. Perhaps someone else took notes... but I don't know. Until then, enjoy this video on what Christmas SHOULD be about.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!!

Lesson 45 - Summary

Joseph Smith's Feelings About His Prophetic Mission

I apologize for not doing a lesson summary last week. I forgot to take notes until the very end, and by that time it was too late. My memory's not good enough to just recall what I heard, either. So, again, my apologies for those who missed it.

This week, I had to make some announcements to the Young Women and the sisters in Primary, so I missed most of the lesson. HOWEVER, I did take notes once I got in there, and what little I heard was fantastic. Thanks to my wonderful teacher and the ladies who have the courage to make comments and share personal experiences with the rest of us. They touched my heart.

I'm going to only focus on the last part of the lesson that I heard, so if you would like to read the entire lesson, you can click on the link above.

Apparently, when I walked in, they were discussing this question:

"What experiences have you had in which God has helped you to fulfill your responsibilities in your family or in a Church calling?"

I heard testimony after testimony of how my fellow sisters have been strengthened because of their callings. One sister spoke of how she was terrible at remembering names, but when she received a calling where she needed to do so, she was able. Another sister said that when she got called to be a temple worker, she told the Temple President that she had trouble getting around sometimes because of pains. She said, though, that once she entered the temple to serve, the pain went away so she could do the Lord's work, and as soon as she stepped out the door it was back. Yet another sister said that as a mother she feels like she can't do enough and doesn't teach her children like she should, but when they get together for Family Home Evening, her son will say something profound. When she asks him where he learned that, he says, "From you, Mom."

How blessed we are to be aided by the Lord in our weaknesses!

When I was called to be in the Relief Society Presidency, I felt more than inadequate. I'm only 25 years old (24 at the time), so I felt way too young to be responsible for women who were older than me and knew way more than me. I had never really been in Relief Society, so I didn't know the first thing about it. I assumed I was getting called as a counselor because the Lord thought I needed humbling. The Bishop said to me that he felt like whenever he felt good about his calling and that he was doing well, he got called to do something else. That was exactly how I felt.

I can tell you that even though I still feel under-prepared and basically stupid (for lack of better word) about what I'm doing, the Lord has helped me tremendously. Somehow, our Relief Society activities have come together because I know that HE wants them to happen. Somebody there needed it, and so He works through me to make it happen. I know that others have had similar experiences, and I would love to read them if you care to share.

I really liked one sister's comment about how sometimes we don't know why we're directed to do certain things, but God has reasons. For example, she didn't know why she was supposed to move here because she's been unable to find work, but she now feels like she's here to help her brother's family in their time of need. I wish my words could do her comments justice.

I'm sorry that I wasn't able to get more of the lesson today. I hope that what I've written will help those who were unable to attend Relief Society. Feel free to leave comments about anything I've written.