Eternal Truths Series - November - Our Relationship with God

A close, loving relationship with God is our first focus and priority

The first and great commandment is to love God with all our heart, might, mind and strength. When we focus our efforts on improving our relationship with God, everything else will follow.

 Scriptures on Love

• Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, Lev. 19:18 (Matt. 5:43–44; 22:37–40; Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:14; James 2:8; Mosiah 23:15; D&C 59:6).
• Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, Deut. 6:5 (Moro. 10:32; D&C 59:5).
• The Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God, Deut. 13:3.
• Whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, Prov. 3:12.
• A friend loveth at all times, Prov. 17:17.

• God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, John 3:16 (D&C 138:3).
• Love one another; as I have loved you, John 13:34 (John 15:12, 17; Moses 7:33).
• If ye love me, keep my commandments, John 14:15 (D&C 42:29).
• Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends, John 15:13.
• Peter, lovest thou me more than these? Feed my sheep, John 21:15–17.
• Nothing shall separate us from the love of God in Christ, Rom. 8:35–39.
• Eye hath not seen the things which God hath prepared for them that love him, 1 Cor. 2:9.
• By love serve one another, Gal. 5:13.
• Husbands, love your wives, Eph. 5:25 (Col. 3:19).
• Love not the world, 1 Jn. 2:15.
• God is love, 1 Jn. 4:8.
• We love him, because he first loved us, 1 Jn. 4:19.

• Christ suffereth because of his loving kindness towards men, 1 Ne. 19:9.
• Press forward with a love of God and of all men, 2 Ne. 31:20.
• Ye will teach your children to love and serve one another, Mosiah 4:15.
• If ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, can ye feel so now, Alma 5:26.
• Be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming patient, full of love, Alma 13:28.
• Bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love, Alma 38:12.
• There was no contention because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people, 4 Ne. 1:15.
• Everything which inviteth to love God is inspired of God, Moro. 7:13–16.
• Charity is the pure love of Christ, Moro. 7:47.
• Perfect love casteth out fear, Moro. 8:16 (1 Jn. 4:18).

• Love qualifies men for God’s work, D&C 4:5 (D&C 12:8).
• Sanctification comes to all those who love and serve God, D&C 20:31.
• If thou lovest me, serve me and keep my commandments, D&C 42:29 (John 14:15).
• Show an increase of love to those whom you correct or reprove, D&C 121:43.

• Men loved Satan more than God, Moses 5:13, 18, 28.

 How can we build a relationship with God?  As with any relationship, it can only be done with consistent focus and effort.  Commit time each day to this relationship.  Strive to trust and receive God’s love for you personally.  As your sense of God’s love for you deepens, your love for God will increase. 

 Some ways to improve your relationship with God. 

In the Resource booklet - Adjusting to Missionary Life

there is some great information about handling stress. In the section called General Principles for managing stress there are some great recommendations to help find those quiet reflection moments to improve your relationship with God through prayer in our lives that are filled with noise. Stress is a tool used by the adversary to pull us away from God's love.

1- Pray fervently and often
2- Recognize the Lords hand in all things
3- Identify and memorize comforting scriptures

4-Focus on serving and serving from YOUR strengths which will be different from others

5- Sing - Hymn # 97, 102, 105, 114, 124, 129, 140 and 142

6- Remember what you've learned - write things down 

7- Befriend others

8- Examine your expectations 

9- Exercise

10- Don't try to control things you can't

11- Take time for yourself and to rest and relax (deep breathing/visualization)

Some other sections of the resource booklet that are great are
Managing Emotional Demands

and 

Managing Spiritual Demands