A Latter Day Blog

“And this commandment have we from him: That he who loveth God love his brother also.” (1 John 4:21)

If you subscribe to the Church’s “daily verse,” then you know that today’s verse is John 4:21. In these few words, we find the heart of our religion and the core of our calling as disciples of Jesus Christ. The commandment is clear and simple: if we claim to love God, we must love our fellow human beings as well. This connection between our love for God and our love for one another is a divine requirement, an unbreakable bond that binds us as true, spiritual brothers and sisters.

When we seriously think about this commandment, it becomes evident that we cannot genuinely love God while harbouring hatred or resentment toward our brothers and sisters. It’s impossible to claim that we love our Creator if we are indifferent to the well-being of the people around us. Love for God and love for our neighbours are intertwined, like two branches of the same tree, drawing sustenance from the same roots.
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The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians, found in 1 Thessalonians 3:12, said, “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.” Paul is conveying an important truth that is relevant to our lives today as followers of Jesus Christ.

Love is at the core of our faith, and it is the foundation upon which our relationships with one another should be built. We are called to increase and abound in love, not only within the Church but also toward all people, just as Paul did toward the Thessalonians.
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Good morning. In the Gospel of Luke 22:42, we read about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the greatest trial of His life. He prays, saying, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” In that moment, we witness the depth of Jesus’ trust in the Father’s plan. He was about to enter the path to the Cross, knowing full well the suffering and sacrifice that was ahead. Yet, He surrenders His own will to the divine will of His Heavenly Father. This is a significant embodiment of unwavering trust, submission, and obedience.

As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate His trust, especially during our own trials and tribulations. Trusting in God, even when we don’t fully understand His plan, is a fundamental aspect of our faith. I would like to briefly discuss five examples of this.
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Good morning. The Church’s suggested passage for the day is from Psalm 120:1. It says, “In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me”. I’m sure I am not the only member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that finds this verse particularly applicable to our lives. Life is filled with moments of joy, peace, and prosperity, but it also includes trials, tribulations, and moments of significant distress. This psalm portrays a universal human experience – the experience of turning to Heavenly Father in times of need.

First and foremost, we must acknowledge the importance of turning to the Lord during times of distress. The psalmist’s declaration, “I cried unto the Lord,” illustrates the natural human response to life’s challenges. As Latter-day Saints, we are taught to “cry unto God for all thy support” (Alma 37:36). In doing so, we acknowledge our dependence on a higher power, and our faith allows us to find solace in times of trouble. Let’s read that full verse from Alma: “Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.”
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This morning I want to reflect upon the beautiful and comforting words from the Bible, specifically Jeremiah 29:12. This verse holds a great deal of significance in the life of a Latter-day Saint, as it speaks to the very heart of our faith and the relationship we share with Heavenly Father.

“Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.”

The Lord extends a divine invitation to every one of us. He beckons us to call upon Him, to draw near to Him in prayer, and assures us that He will listen to our cries. What a magnificent promise this is! The Creator of the universe promises to listen to the heartfelt petitions of His children. He who formed the heavens and the earth has a special, individualised concern for each one of us.
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“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1

In today’s Bible reading, I was impressed by the words of King David from the Book of Psalms: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1) These words remind me of the beauty and importance of unity in our lives, in our communities, and in the world. Unity is a precious gift, a treasure that we should cherish and cultivate. It is the essence of peace, the foundation of love, and the source of strength. When we come together in unity, we create a harmonious community of hearts and minds working towards a common purpose. It is in this unity that we find God’s grace and His presence among us.
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“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

As I was thinking about today’s passage, it reminded me of one of the fundamental doctrines found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – the principle that we are saved by God’s grace through faith, a very precious gift from Him.

In our tradition, we place significant emphasis on the concept of grace as a gift from Heavenly Father. It’s not a reward we earn through our efforts alone; rather, it is freely extended to us as a manifestation of God’s love for His children. As the Book of Mormon teaches, “For we labour diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” (2 Nephi 25:23)

Heavenly Father’s grace is unmerited and boundless. It flows from His love, offering us the opportunity for repentance, forgiveness, and eternal life. We cannot fully repay Him for this immeasurable gift, but we can humbly accept it with gratitude and devotion.

Faith is a vital aspect of this equation. Our faith in Jesus Christ is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment; it’s an active trust and reliance on Him. We show our faith through our obedience, our commitment to covenants, and our love for our fellow brothers and sisters. It is through our faith in Christ that we access His grace and experience the miracle of conversion.

The doctrine of grace and faith is closely intertwined with the principles of repentance and baptism our tradition. As we repent and make covenants through baptism, we express our faith in Christ’s redemptive power. Our works are not about earning our salvation but rather demonstrating our willingness to come unto Christ and allow Him to transform our hearts. This is not a one time event; rather it is on a daily basis.

As we live our lives in accordance with these principles, we become more Christ-like, filled with His love and grace. We are then empowered to share His message of salvation and serve as instruments of His grace to others.

Our salvation is indeed a gift, bestowed upon us through God’s infinite grace and received by our faith in Jesus Christ. Our works are not to gain salvation but to draw nearer to Him and become His disciples. As we go forth, may we strive to be living examples of His grace, always pointing to the Saviour who extends this gift to all who come unto Him. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

This verse gives comfort and guidance to us when we are facing difficulties, challenges, or a sense of heaviness in our lives. The verse opens with an invitation from Jesus to those who are labouring and heavy laden. It’s an inclusive call, addressing anyone who is experiencing the weight of life’s burdens. Jesus’ message resonates with people during moments of distress or hardship, encouraging them to turn to Him as a source of solace and relief.
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