I think the key to it is not the love part, but the unconditional blessing part. God in stating he hated Esau, was saying he did not favor Esau, or that he rejected him, because of Esau's actions and sins. However, what if Esau were to repent? Would God still hate him and reject him? Of course not. God's divine love is unconditional in the fact that he is always ready to love and forgive. It is conditional in that he cannot look upon any degree of sin with allowance. Does that mean he hates us when we do the smallest sin? No. It does mean that he still loves us, awaits our repenting, and withholds blessings and promises until we are back in line with the Spirit and the Atonement.
Does God love Satan? I would imagine he does, however I don't think he loves him on the same level He loves Jesus or a faithful child. He definitely has withheld great blessings from Satan as part of that Divine Love. Satan would not appreciate the blessings offered. So, I think there is a redefinition of terms being done by Elder Nelson, due to such confusion by members. It is too easy for people to think that 'unconditional' means God will accept us regardless of our wickedness. And that just ain't the case. K'aya K'ama, Gerald (Gary) Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.geocities.com/rameumptom/index.html LDS Evidences, Family History, Food Storage, etc. Stacy: The old argument seems to be flaming again. What about the passage in the Bible that says, "Esau have I hated." Even if it means, "loved less," isn't that conditional? Stacy. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. FREE! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/create/index2.html ==^================================================================
