There probably is scripture someplace to give a definitive answer, but I will leave that to someone else.
I think his love is unconditional, but that is not the same as his approval.
Here is my reasoning. He is our Heavenly Father.
The love a parent has for a child is unconditional, at least from good parents, and I believe He is the best parent (perfect, in fact). I will always love my son, but I may not always like what he does. I could even dislike him as a person, but this wouldn't change that I loved him and cared about his well being.
Heavenly Father's love for us is a perfect love, and, therefore, in my opinion, it must be unconditional.
I had this discussion with my youngest son, a returned and now married missionary. He says that God's love is conditional upon our obedience. He sighted an Esign article from earlier this year. I, however, strongly disagree. I believe in and feel my Heavenly Father's unconditional love. He is the perfect father. I believe he loves us and that the first why; of why we are here. He wouldn't have created this beautiful world for us and tell us that "man is that he might have joy" if there wasn't love involved. I look around me and I see and feel strong evidence of His love for all mankind. I am certain that His approval is conditional upon our obedience. Approval never was love.
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He sighted an Esign article from earlier this year. I, however, strongly disagree. I believe in and feel my Heavenly Father's unconditional love. |
LDS, I read the article and I think Elder Nelson himself is confusing the word Love and the word Accept. He may be doing so intentionally though to address the term the way others do when they say "it doesn't matter what I do God will still love me." He worries that people will think it is o.k. to sin because God will still love them. Well I think he will still love them, but he will not accept them into his kingdom unless they have made an honest attempt to repent and live righteously.
A quote from the article where Elder Nelson asserts the meaning is that Heavenly Father's love is conditional:
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"If ye keep my commandments, [then] ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." |
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Does this mean the Lord does not love the sinner? Of course not. Divine love is infinite and universal. The Savior loves both saints and sinners. |
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LDS, I read the article and I think Elder Nelson himself is confusing the word Love and the word Accept. He may be doing so intentionally though to address the term the way others do when they say "it doesn't matter what I do God will still love me." He worries that people will think it is o.k. to sin because God will still love them. Well I think he will still love them, but he will not accept them into his kingdom unless they have made an honest attempt to repent and live righteously. |
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Yes, I totally agree with you although I don't think he's confusing the words (he is just trying to make a strong case about the same thing you was saying about people sinning and thinking oh God loves me regardles) but personally would not be my choice of words...it does sounds confusing. |
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I do agree he could have done it a little better and with a little clearer language. |