Yes, another thought from conference—what can I say, 'tis the season

I was studying Elder Uchtdorf’s talk this afternoon from conference, and loving it even more than when he gave it. One of the things that struck me most strongly was how he talked about the love of God, and how strong it is for all of us as His children. I remember an Ensign article by Elder Nelson a few years ago that sparked some controversy, because people said it put forth the argument that the righteous were more loved by God than the unrighteous—as I’ve thought about that, though, it seems more like the question is one of access to God’s love. God loves all of us equally, but as we become more and more righteous, we open ourselves up more and more to be able to feel God’s love for us. The love He has for us is there, waiting for us, and He wants to give it to us, but we through our choices sometimes limit our own ability to feel that love. On the eve of Easter, that thought becomes a lot more poignant, that the love of Christ which He showed so fully in the atoning acts we study on this day is something I often choose to deny myself, to whatever degree and for whatever foolish reason.