Experience God's Love | Dale G. Renlund | 2019

Our ability to experience God’s love directly relates to how dutifully we repent, study the scriptures, and partake of the sacrament.
This speech was given on December 3, 2019.
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Brothers and sisters, I would like to compare our physical and spiritual health in a discussion about receptors. Our physical health depends on hormones and their receptors. Hormones, such as thyroid hormones, insulin, and many others, are substances produced in glands and then transported in the bloodstream to specific cells, and they stimulate those cells by interacting with specific receptors. Illness can occur when either the gland does not produce enough hormone or the receptor is dysfunctional. You can imagine that the signs and symptoms of an illness can be similar in either case. Hormone and other treatments can resolve or mitigate the illness in many situations.
There is a type of receptor dysfunction that is eternally consequential: the inability to sense God’s love and feel His Spirit. God’s love is infinite and perfect. There has never been nor will there ever be a deficiency of God’s love. The apostle Paul said:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . .
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus.1
But what do you do if you do not feel the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? I know with certainty that the problem is not with Their love. The problem is with your receptors for Their love. If you have dysfunction of your receptors for God’s love, you can lose your way and succumb to dangers such as hopelessness, helplessness, and loneliness.
If you experience dysfunction of these receptors, God’s influence in your life is minimized. With complete dysfunction, you will not sense Their love or Their caring concern for you. The prophet Mormon described this condition in his people. He lamented:
For behold, . . . they are without Christ and God in the world. . . .
They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their shepherd; yea, they were led even by God the Father.
But now, behold, they are led about by Satan, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her; and even as she is, so are they.2
Without Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and Their influence in our lives, we have no shepherd. Without Them, there is no sail-meaning there is no power. Without Them, there is no anchor-meaning there is no stability, especially in times of storm. Without Them, there is nothing with which to steer-meaning there is no direction. No power, no stability, and no direction are all consequences of dysfunctional receptors for Their love.
A Cautionary Tale
In my experience, receptor dysfunction for God’s love happens slowly and imperceptibly over time-not all at once. I will relate an embarrassing experience that I did not tell my wife for years. I learned for myself that I was vulnerable. Because I suspect you might be at risk too, I will share my cautionary tale. It highlights this warning by the Savior:
But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God;
Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation;
Yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also.3
After I finished medical school, my wife, daughter, and I moved to Baltimore, Maryland, for further training at Johns Hopkins Hospital. At that time the training years were brutal, time intensive, and exhausting.
Toward the end of my first year, I was weary. Because interns worked every day and every second or third night, I worked every Sunday and was able to attend church only about half the time. Our ward met in a suburb of Baltimore at 2:30 in the afternoon. We lived across the street from the hospital and had only one car. Some Sundays I could finish my work and join my wife and daughter as they left for the meetings at 2:00 p.m. Other Sundays I could not.

[@kathytheobald3446]

What a wonderful message. ❤🙏

[@gongoozleriam9783]

I'm honestly so glad he's an apostle. I think he's a funny/witty, sensitive and a very spiritual man. His life and family isn't perfect, it's fun to hear his stories because I can relate. It's so important that we have many leaders because some don't rub me the right way, but I really like him. I'm always grateful for what he says and I come away from listening to him like it was well worth my time. He's really smart too, I would like to be like him someday.

[@brucehunter8355]

My husband is an OBGYN and I'm so proud of him although he is retired he would tell me how he would do similar things in terms of bringing scriptures to the hospital and reading while he was in the Sleep room before catching a little bit of precious sleep, Etc he was even a bishop and taught Seminary during the time of his career life, he is my example shining example of not making any excuses and studying the scriptures everyday praying and living your life as truly a christ-like follower of the Gospel that Jesus preached.. I was a newscaster doing morning shows and working 12 or 15 hours a day as news director as well and I had a wonderful habit of reading scriptures before I went to sleep Etc and then I found myself out of that routine much like it is discussed in this talk, soon I didn't feel the spirit and I just didn't feel myself not energetic and almost like a physical sickness. I realized that I hadn't been praying and reading my scriptures as often as I should and in my normal routine although I would pray all the time in my mind and before my shows Etc. It really does make a difference! Studying God's word brings the Holy Ghost into our lives and brings our Savior Jesus Christ atonement into our lives , helps us to feel that calm reassurance that no matter what the future brings it will be okay. Everyone that's ever experienced this knows what I mean it's wonderful Ascension point we all have access to this Comfort because we're all children of God. It's a simple remedy just pray and study the scriptures everyday and you will definitely feel God's presence and reassurance no matter what you're going through!

[@HoneyBeeHeidi100]

Your husband sounds similar to my OBGYN! Love these men for what they do for the Lord and for us on earth 💖

[@jacquithornton1004]

I’m one of those mentally ill who don’t respond to medication. I’m so grateful that I know my Father lives and my Saviour atoned for my sins. I can’t often feel Gods love and it’s what I want to feel more than anything. This too shall pass at the end of days and I’m determined to do all I can on a daily basis to live worthy of their blessings in the eternities. It’s devastatingly hard but absolutely worth it.

[@Denaliwind]

"The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"..... exhaustion can be such a battle when trying to fit in all needful things. Wonderful words to refer to often for encouragement. Thank you Elder Renlund.

[@Geniusmoms1999]

YES....AND I have found one prioritizing spiritual things.... I receive more energy and enthusiasm for my day-to-day tasks, and I make decisions better to avoid exhaustion

[@tila.tomato3215]

Perfect timing. Again. I love how I get to hear what I need to hear when I need to hear it. It's currently 12:12 p.m and tomorrow is the last day to turn in missing assignments before the semester ends I felt as if I was at the end of my rope. My grades haven't been 'stellar' and I thought maybe it was the friends I chose but I'm not anyone to blame them but instead repent that I let my self be influenced easily to others habits when I could've been and influence myself. I believe my friends aren't bad people, they just know not what they're doing, neither do I. But it isn't about me, so I'm so very grateful for another devotional that speaks so fluently to my spirit. Thank you and goodnight, or morning or afternoon.

[@ltekrah]

Heard this twice and Got separate things each time. Difference listening just 1 day wow

[@jeppajeppson2900]

We are taught by the spirit and each time we learn different things based upon what we need

[@jules11yates]

I am grateful you went through that experience, Elder Renlund, because now you have inspired me by what you learned. Thank you for that wonderful instruction.

[@peggybogar3059]

So lovely and humble. I seek that power, stability and direction and find these ways of treating receptor dysfunction reasonable and doable. Thank you

[@neenerz419]

Love y'all ❣❣❣🙌☝️✌❤💪☝️🙌I am in the hospital terminally ill, but SPIRIT STRONG Y'ALL☝️TESTIMONIES SHARES & PRAY IT FORWARD & I WANT TO be that missionary and share with humility, as I'm 49& been in every church, then baptized 3 times in different churches& March 24th 2018 baptism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints& endowment July 1st 2019 straight from my hospital bed ICU to 5 hours drive to Nauvoo Illinois temple & with my sister& brother in law & a few church members, it was made possible by heavenly Father for me to go to my hearts desire in Nauvoo Illinois temple, soo much more to share,but I will say my twin died 5 years ago unexpected,our younger sister did my twin endowment & July 1st 2019 #3Sisterz4ever became 4ever! It was miraculous beyond words, soo many beautiful testimonies led up to this& I will be sure to rejoice with y'all in eternity and share our earthly testimonies that we came here for! I testify that I believe that we can do all things, through Christ who strengthening us always, thank you heavenly Father for your unconditional love and son Jesus our saviour and the gifts of the holy spirit with discernment and wisdom to pray it forward and feel that miraculous peace that passes all understanding in the name of Jesus Amen and God is SOOOOO good! All the time& all the time, God is soo good in the name of Jesus ❣❤❤❤

[@jimlemmon3249]

Isn't it wonderful that we can be taught, uplifted and blessed by 15 apostles and prophets such as Elder Dale G. Renlund.

[@lindabrower6838]

I love that I know that we have a Prophet and these apostles. Thank you, Elder Renlund

[@annieisenhower8138]

Beautiful counsel. Thank you Elder Renlund

[@leticiameisner1885]

Is it possible to get this talk in Portuguese? This would be so good to share with some of my Portuguese friends..

[@dianehenson9860]

needed this!

[@drewhirsch9155]

Thank you Elder Rendlund .

[@simonsebuliba510]

Great talk! He visited our mission when I was serving in Accra, Ghana as a missionary.

[@ildenete3235]

É lindo ver não é elder Renlund os servos de Deus os profetas como são e ao mesmo tempo como serão pelo que são agora como você é agora por mudarem suas vidas por amor a Deus a humildade a disposição para receberem mais de Deus para seus amados filhos O conhecimento a ciência a verdade à provar como a luz de Deus nos dá cada vez mais fazendo por amor a sua vontade

[@chloeprit]

As I was praying, this immediately came on. I turned around and realised my laptop screen was down, and had this on pause before, but I didn't press the button to play. It's a miracle to know this message today. Thank you. I'm going through a mental challenge myself, but his words gave me hope.

[@JazzyUnderscoreTrumpeter]

I've been effectively called out, thank you, I need to do better.

[@hollyodii5969]

A holy apostle of God, indeed! This message is beautiful and true.

[@neenerz419]

Thank you❣❣🙌☝️✌❤💪☝️🙌

[@Brucie_Boy]

Thank you

[@andreavincent4619]

This is exactly what I needed.

[@clarissejones9353]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Well I really needed to hear this

[@Rhombohedral]

only when paying tidings

[@john111son]

It is so inspiring and uplifting. Thank you so much

[@matildewosnjuk7508]

Great speech. Thanks

[@sherryruff7770]

Amen!!