Elder Robert M. Daines
Elder Robert M. Daines emphasizes the importance of truly seeing and feeling the love of Jesus Christ in our lives. He draws parallels between spiritual “face blindness” and the inability to recognize the love of God, urging listeners to seek the Savior’s love in all aspects of their faith and service.
Face Blindness
Elder Daines shares the story of a man who became “face blind” after a war injury and could no longer recognize people by their faces. He compares this to people who may struggle to recognize God even though they can see the manifestations of His love. He shares that when we was young he had a type of spiritual face blindness: “I failed to see my mom as a real person. I saw her rules but didn’t see in them her love.”
“I suspect you know someone (perhaps you are someone) who suffers from a kind of spiritual face blindness.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Mormon 7:48: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray 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 followers of his Son, Jesus Christ;”
- Moroni 8:26: “And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God.”
Charity
Elder Daines emphasizes the importance of developing charity and love for God. He shares his journey of praying and seeking to understand God’s love, saying, “I prayed for years to be able to follow the first great commandment to love God and to feel that ‘first great truth … that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength.’”
“The more you learn about the Savior, the easier it will be to trust in His mercy, His infinite love.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Matthew 22:37-38: “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.”
- Moroni 7:47: “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.”
The Gospels
Elder Daines emphasizes the importance of studying the Gospels to understand Jesus’ character and love. He encourages readers to see Jesus as the embodiment of love and compassion, saying, “Open the Gospels at random; on almost every page we see Him caring for people who suffer—socially, spiritually, and physically.”
“Try writing down every time He praises or heals or eats with an outsider, and you will run low on ink before you leave Luke.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Luke 4:18: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.”
- John 13:34: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
Covenants and God’s Embrace
Elder Daines discusses the importance of covenants and how they are about forming a relationship with God, not just following rules. He encourages individuals to see covenants as a means of connecting with God’s love.
“Our challenge is to understand and shape our life to that love.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Jeremiah 31:33: “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
- Mosiah 5:5: “And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God.”
The River of God’s Love
Elder Daines concludes by highlighting the importance of serving in the Church as a way to experience God’s love. He likens Church service to standing in the river of God’s love, emphasizing that there is room for everyone to serve and be recipients of His love.
“Let us seek His loving face, His covenant embrace, and then join arm in arm with His children, and together we will sing ‘Redeemer of Israel.’”
Calls to Action:
- “The more you learn about the Savior, the easier it will be to trust in His mercy, His infinite love.”
- “Try writing down every time He praises or heals or eats with an outsider, and you will run low on ink before you leave Luke.”
- “Our challenge is to understand and shape our life to that love.”
- “Grab a pick and shovel and join the team. Help carry His love to His children, and some of it will splash on you.”
- “Let us seek His loving face, His covenant embrace, and then join arm in arm with His children, and together we will sing ‘Redeemer of Israel.’”