For God So Loves Us

 

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

 

Through personal revelation from the Holy Ghost, I know God loves me- I have a Heavenly Mother and Father that love and care for me. I have a heavenly brother, Jesus Christ, who loves me so much that He suffered for my sins, died on the cross, and was resurrected. He did all that so I may be forgiven and have eternal life- life with God and my family forever.

I've always known this since I was little, so it was a bit of a shock and a momentary setback when I was challenged to pray to know God loved me and at first received no answer to my prayer. 

At a religious youth conference, the speaker challenged all of us teenagers to pray to know God loved us. I thought it would be so easy since I knew God loved me already, I almost didn't do it. That night as I sat down to my daily scripture reading, I started with a simple prayer asking if God loved me. I received no answer. I asked again, and again, nothing. I started to get concerned because this was supposed to be a sure thing, a thing I had based my life on and relied on many times. I kept asking and started crying at the complete lack of feeling, like I was in a spot void of God's love, like God didn't exist so I was praying to nothing so how could I receive an answer.

At this point I had to make a choice- do I continue with my usual nightly routine of scripture study for a God who wouldn't give me the simple answer I already thought I knew, or do I go to bed unsatisfied and disbelieving. After a few minutes of indecision I decided to fall back on trusted habit and give God another chance. I pulled out my patriarchal blessing, a personal blessing with direction for my life, and in the first main paragraph, two sentences stood out to me.

"Your Heavenly Father know who you are. He loves you as a special daughter."

As I read that line, I felt the full force of my Heavenly Parents' love rush into my soul and fill me with peace. I knew they loved me, I always had. As Moroni in the Book of Mormon said, "... faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." (Ether 12:6)

All the spiritual work I had previously done kept me on a good path, a path of God's love.

I have had their love and the love of Jesus reconfirmed to me many times since as I strive to stay on a covenant path, working at doing the things I should because they bring me peace, comfort, and safety.

I know Jesus Christ loves me and you, I know our Heavenly Parents love me and you and are mindful and caring of all we do. I know you can also receive this testimony over and over throughout your life if you choose to work through the trials of your faith and continue to make good choices.