...and all these things shall give thee experience

I know that God lives. I know that Jesus Christ lives...and that he paid an awful price, a precious price for us. I know that they have infinite love for us. I know that they love us no matter what stupid or evil things we do in this life - or who we hurt. I know that they rejoice with us when we choose the right. I know that Jesus can take away our pains -- our fears, our anger, our loneliness, our guilt, our shame, our tears.......He always gives us in return eternal love, agency and commandments - not to limit our potential, but to protect it!!! It is only through obedience to his commandments that we are protected from the frailties of mortality. When we sin, big or small, he sends the Holy Ghost to admonish, guide and prompt us back into righteousness. He will never force us to choose the right. He teaches us and lets our agency be our guide. When we are obedient we have the right to have the Holy Ghost with us at all times - imagine that!!! But when we sin, that gift is instantly removed - never to return until and unless we repent. The instant that we return our hearts and minds back to God, our eternal friend and guide returns. But His love never leaves us. His desire for our return to him never fails. Our human hearts can burst open with anguish at what we do to each other, and yet He doesn't leave us alone. He sends our friends and family to us to grieve over us and with us and pray for us and cry with us and rejoice with us. We are not "mere mortals" - we are God's greatest and grandest and most perfect creation! We are the beginnings of God's ourselves - the potential is in each of us to one day be like him. His love is eternal and when we are at our lowest, he draws us near and holds us in. When we feel the most alone and separated, he touches our hearts and reminds us he is there. He stands at the door and all we are required to do is open it. BUT WE MUST OBEY! and when we don't he must leave us for a time...the emptiness is profound and painful...but the balm of repentance and forgiveness is always standing right with us to rebuild and heal and soothe.

I know God lives and loves me, too! The spirit whispers this to me and tells me it is true.....