“My Beloved Son”

Six times in the scriptures, our Father in Heaven introduces Jesus Christ and attests to His divinity:

1. As Nephi wrote about the importance of baptism, he heard the voice of the Father saying, “Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.” Subsequently, after quoting Jesus, he tells us that he heard the Father again, saying, “Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved” (2 Nephi 31:11, 15).
2. When Jesus was baptized, John the Baptist heard a voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17, JST Matthew 3:45-46, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22, Doctrine and Covenants 93:15).
3. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John heard the voice of God saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35, 2 Peter 1:17-18).
4. After the Savior’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, a group of people heard the Father answer His prayer. Jesus said, “Father, glorify thy name,” and a voice from heaven responded, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again” (John 12:28).
5. After the Savior’s resurrection, a group of people on the American continent heard a voice from heaven which said, “Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him” (3 Nephi 11:7).
6. When Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in the spring of 1820, Heavenly Father called him by name and said, pointing to Jesus, “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith—History 1:17, italics in original).

On all but one of these occasions, the Father identified Jesus as His “Beloved Son.” Elder Enrique R. Falabella called this “a perfect example of expressing love.” He added that we should follow this example:

The words “I love you,” “Thank you very much,” and “Forgive me” are like a balm for the soul. They transform tears into happiness. They provide comfort to the weighed-down soul, and they confirm the tender feelings of our heart. Just as plants wither with the lack of precious water, our love languishes and dies as we put to rest the words and acts of love.

“The Home: The School of Life,” General Conference, April 2013

Elder Falabella shared a poetic text message he had received from his wife: ““A hug like heaven, a kiss like the sun, and an evening like the moon. Happy day, I love you.” He said, “I cannot resist feeling like I am in heaven when I get a message like this.”

Today, I will express love for my family. I will remember the example of our Heavenly Father, who has consistently expressed His love for His Son. I will find ways to let my family know I love them.