“Which Sheddeth Itself Abroad”

After Nephi saw in a vision the birth of Jesus Christ, an angel asked him if he understood the meaning of the tree from his father’s dream. Nephi answered:

Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.

1 Nephi 11:22

To “shed” is to scatter or release something. Trees shed their leaves. Birds shed feathers. The sun sheds its light on us all, which may be the closest metaphor for Nephi’s meaning.

The apostle Paul wrote to church members in Rome that when we have hope, we will not be ashamed, “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5).

Sister Susan H. Porter said:

When you know and understand how completely you are loved as a child of God, it changes everything. It changes the way you feel about yourself when you make mistakes. It changes how you feel when difficult things happen. It changes your view of God’s commandments. It changes your view of others and of your capacity to make a difference….

We can picture the love of God as light emanating from the tree of life, shedding itself abroad over all the earth into the hearts of the children of men. God’s light and love permeate all His creations.

“God’s Love: The Most Joyous to the Soul,” General Conference, October 2021

She shared a story about a relative who had stopped participating in church for 20 years. When he returned, he received the same calling he had held 20 years earlier. But he approached the calling in a completely different way. “The first time he held the calling, he performed his responsibilities as a dutiful member of the Church. Now the question for him became not ‘How can I fulfill this calling?’ but ‘How can I show God’s love through my service?’ With this new approach, he felt joy, meaning, and purpose in all aspects of his calling.”

Today, I will remember how much God loves all of His children. I will open my heart to receive that love, and I will in turn do my best to share it with others.