The Beautiful Expectation: How Love Motivates Us Toward More

Man, sometimes I’m still processing the weight of what we’re taught about divine love. When you’re deep in the field, or even just studying late at night after a long day of service, you hear talk about the Father’s love, and it’s so vast, so unconditional, that it can feel almost… boundless. It’s easy to think, ‘If God loves me, then I can do whatever I want, right?’

I remember talking with a wonderful investigator recently—a young man who was wrestling with the concept of divine expectation. He was worried that if God expected us to *do* things, it meant His love was conditional, like a performance review. It was a heavy question, and it got me thinking hard about what President Nelson said recently.

It hit me: Divine love isn't just a blanket covering; it's a guiding light pointing us toward the deepest parts of ourselves—the parts where we can experience true, enduring joy. It’s a love that *wants* us to become all we can become.

The Beautiful Tension of Agency

The talk was crystal clear: God’s laws aren't restrictions; they are blueprints for happiness. They are motivated entirely by that infinite love. They don't want us to stay comfortable in a place of *just as we are* if that place prevents us from achieving our divine potential.

This is where the concept of agency comes into play, and it’s one of the most profound things I’ve wrestled with since my own missionary discussions. We are given the incredible gift of choice. We *must* choose to love Him, to serve Him, and to keep the commandments. And because we exercise that choice, we open ourselves up to being blessed—and loved—more abundantly.

It’s not a transaction, but it is a partnership. It’s like being taught a skill. You can admire the master craftsman's work from afar, but you only truly grasp the beauty of the technique when you pick up the tools and start practicing. That’s the gospel in a nutshell: Love prompts us to strive, and striving brings us closer to the fullness of the Spirit.

A Little Prep for Our Internet Missionaries

If you are prepping for a mission, or if you are just trying to deepen your discipleship at home, I want to leave you with this thought for your next missionary discussion or study group. When someone asks, "Why do I have to keep commandments?" don't just list the rules. Instead, pivot back to the *motive* behind the law. You can say something like, "Because the Father loves you so much, He doesn't just want you to *know* about joy; He wants you to *feel* it. And keeping these covenants is the path He knows will lead you there."

Remember, every member can be an internet missionary. We don't need to be physically in a mission field to share this truth. Use your Social Scripture Study in LivingBook to find passages that speak to divine expectation, or join a Book Club to discuss the covenants in depth.

The Path to Abundance

It takes humility to accept that our greatest blessing often requires us to step outside our comfort zone and choose the harder, more righteous path. That’s where the real growth—and the real blessings—are found. Keep leaning into the Spirit, keep studying, and keep inviting others to explore this magnificent covenant path with you.

If you need a little nudge on how to frame this talk with an investigator, I highly recommend running through a scenario with Davee. He’s fantastic at walking through those tough, agency-based questions.

For deeper study, check out the latest insights on covenants in the Iron Rod. You can find some excellent material on the necessity of consecration there!