Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love, and whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things out of temptation, and I have loved you — Wherefore, ye must needs be chastened and stand rebuked before my face. — Doctrine and Covenants 95:1-2
I usually relish my scripture study time, but one particular day I was feeling despondent over something I had done and found it hard to concentrate. I knew the Lord was displeased with me and I didn't feel worthy to study or pray, but I wanted the influence of the spirit again. I decided to study chastisement verses in the scriptures as part of my repentance, berating myself as I read.
I was directed to Doctrine and Covenants 95:1-2 where the Lord is chastising the Saints for not building a House of the Lord. He says, "Unto you whom I love, and whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, ... and I have loved you — Wherefore, ye must needs be chastened and stand rebuked before my face."
As I reread those verses again I realized that the Lord uses the word love three times when referring to chastisement. It suddenly clicked — love is a vital part of the process! A warm feeling of love enveloped me and I wept with joy at the knowledge that the purpose of the Lord's chastisement was not to punish me but to deliver me because He loves me and wants me to overcome my sins in order to be happy.
If He still loves me, I can love myself as I work through the repentance process.
Chastisement no longer has a negative connotation for me, but reminds me of the Lord's love and my desires are to repent quickly and partake of that love. I am so grateful for the blessing of the scriptures in my life. — Kathy Skene, Bonneville 1st Ward, Salt Lake Bonneville Stake