Elder Keith,
I know you didn't give me an assignment. When you mentioned the concept of perfect love the other day it reminded me of a couple of talks and I did a little research. I am sure we could spend a lifetime trying to understand. Interestingly the scriptures NEVER use the words "Unconditional Love", but rather use "Perfect Love". Its one of Satan's great tactics to use the word "unconditional" and even society has adopted it. Parents should love their children unconditionally as if there is no judgment or consequence for actions. Don't worry about sin, God forgives everyone, just Believe and accept Jesus as your Savior.
Unconditional would suggest a lack of order or consequence for one's actions. There is an "infinite atonement" but NOT unconditional. Heavenly Father loves us and provided a plan for us, but does NOT have unconditional love for us. It is true that we can never sink below the depth that the Savior's atonement can't reach, but there are requirements. A broken heart and contrite spirit. Faith, Hope, and true repentance.
I like this excerpt from a talk, "Christ told us, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12.) We must love others as Christ loved, which means that we must know “what manner of spirit [we] are of,” and “what manner of spirit [they] are of,” in order to help each other with wisdom and skill in our mutual quest for life eternal. Many people profess love for others, yet they contribute to leading those people away from their Father in heaven, away from real joy. Love, in our day, is used as a reason or an excuse for many acts that bring deep sorrow. Jesus Christ, the only perfect man, can say, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15.) An imperfect being should say, “If you love me, help me to keep Christ’s commandments,” and “Because I love you, I will do all I can to help you keep Christ’s commandments.” To love is not enough. To be loved is not enough. But to be loved by perfect love, to be loved by Christ, to establish a personal relationship with him is enough to set us on a path through which we can know “what manner of spirit” we are and grow to the point where we can “have according to our desires” because we “joy in that which we have desired.” “Herein,” promises John, “is our love made perfect.” (1 Jn. 4:17.)
So for me, perfect love is a process, just like charity, not something you tangibly possess. One doesn't say, "hey look at me, I'm filled with charity or I have perfect love".
Hopefully, this helps provide some insight from my perspective and gives you something to noodle on!
Love, Dad
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