Sacrament Meeting Program

Presiding: Bishop Todd Christensen
Conducting: Bishop Todd Christensen
Opening Hymn: #1044 - How Did the Savior Minister
Invocation: By Invitation

Ward Business

Sacrament Hymn: #190 - In Memory of the Crucified
Administration of the Sacrament

Testimony Meeting

Closing Hymn: #CS 64 - On This Day of Joy and Gladness
Benediction: By Invitation

Lovest Thou Me?

By Elder Steven C. Barlow
Of the Seventy

In the parable of the prodigal son, the elder brother initially struggled to celebrate when his younger brother returned home after a period of poor choices and “wast[ing] his substance with riotous living.” The elder brother’s pride and self-righteousness kept him from embracing the joy of his brother’s repentant return. We also may let opportunities pass us by without letting our loved ones know, through our words and actions, of our sincere love for them.

There are many powerful examples in the scriptures of sincere love shared and received: Naomi and Ruth, Ammon and King Lamoni, the prodigal son and his father, the Savior and His disciples.

When love is freely given and sincerely received, a virtuous cycle ensues with an increase of love between both the giver and the receiver.

God’s love is perfect, infinite, enduring, and “most sweet.” It fills the soul with “exceedingly great joy.” Nevertheless, at times we may find it difficult to recognize God’s love in our lives. However, our perfectly loving Heavenly Father so deeply desires for us to experience His love that He “speaketh unto [us] according to … [our] understanding.” He will express His love for us in ways we, individually, can recognize. We may experience God’s love for us when we observe the beauties of nature, or receive answers to prayers, or have thoughts come to our mind in the very moment of need, or experience sweet moments of joy. The greatest manifestation of Heavenly Father’s love for us that resonates with both mind and heart is when He allowed His Beloved Son to offer Himself as the atoning one.

Like the prodigal son’s elder brother, our focus is often centered on ourselves. We are so consumed with seeking evidence of God’s love for us, and we become frustrated when we do not see it. But the beautiful paradox is that the more we are focused on showing our love for God, the more easily we recognize His love for us. Perhaps this is why the Savior responded to the question “Which is the great commandment?” with this simple and important invitation: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

Sometimes the way we show our love to those we hold most dear is not necessarily the way they recognize love. This may be frustrating for both the giver and the receiver. It may be helpful to ask those we love how they recognize love expressed. Likewise, if we want to show our love for God, we should understand how He recognizes our love. Fortunately, He has clearly outlined several ways in the scriptures that we can show our love for Him.

Lovest Thou Me More Than These?

In the instructive exchange between Peter and the resurrected Lord at the Sea of Tiberias, we learn of ways we can show our love for the Lord.

“Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.”

The key question in this inquiry by the Lord is “Lovest thou me more than these?” We show our love to the Lord when we put Him above “these,” and “these” can be anyone, any activity, or anything that displaces Him from being the most important influence in our lives.

There will never be enough time in a day, a week, a month, or a year to get done all we want or need to accomplish. Part of the test of mortality is to use the precious resource of time for what is most important for our eternal good and to let go of those things that are less important.

President Russell M. Nelson said: “The question for each of us … is the same. … Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other? Are you willing to let whatever He needs you to do take precedence over every other ambition? Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His?” We demonstrate our discipleship and love for God when we make Him our top priority.

“Lovest Thou Me?”

Elder Barlow describes four ways we can show our love for God, which can help us recognize His love for us.

Elder Steven C. Barlow