Lovest Thou Me More Than These?

Recently, I gave a sacrament meeting talk where the message focused on the deceptions of Satan and the reality that there is no true moral gray area. Ultimately, things are either right or wrong, good or evil. Satan often works through counterfeits—substitutes that imitate truth while leading us away from God’s plan.

As I reflected on the experience of preparing and delivering that message, I found myself wrestling with an important question: How should we respond when we feel impressed to teach or testify about difficult truths?

The Weight of Teaching Truth

Before giving the talk, I spent considerable time praying about both the subject matter and the message itself. I knew some of the principles being discussed could be challenging for people to hear. Because of that, I repeatedly sought confirmation from the Lord that I was on the right course.

Up until the very moment I stood to speak, I continued to pray for guidance.

The answer remained consistent.

I felt impressed that the message should be given.

During the talk, I felt the Spirit testify to the truths being taught. Yet afterward, I found myself reflecting deeply on how the message may have been received. I wondered whether I had communicated it in the right way and whether I had adequately balanced truth with love and compassion.

Those thoughts stayed with me for several days.

A Question From the Savior

One morning, I awoke from a dream that brought greater clarity.

In the dream, I was reflecting on my concerns and wondering whether I had focused too much on others’ reactions. Then a distinct thought entered my mind:

“Lovest thou me more than these?” (John 21:15)

The scripture immediately captured my attention.

As I pondered it, I felt impressed that the Lord was inviting me to examine my priorities.

Was my greatest concern whether people approved of the message, or was my greatest concern whether I had faithfully taught what He wanted taught?

The question was deeply personal.

“Lovest thou me more than these?”

Seeking God’s Will Above Human Approval

As I reflected on the Savior’s words, I realized something important.

Truth should always be taught with love. It should always be taught with humility, compassion, and under the direction of the Holy Ghost. But the primary question is not whether a message will be universally welcomed.

The primary question is whether it is God’s will.

Too often, I find myself asking:

• Will this be misunderstood?
• Will someone be offended?
• Will people agree with what is being said?

While those concerns are understandable, they are ultimately secondary.

The better question is:

Am I teaching what God wants taught?

If I have sincerely sought revelation, acted in faith, and been taught by the Spirit, then I can leave the results in the Lord’s hands.

Learning From Alma and Amulek

In the days leading up to this experience, I had been studying Alma 9–14.

Alma and Amulek were sent to preach repentance to the people of Ammonihah. Their message was unpopular. They faced rejection, ridicule, imprisonment, and persecution.

Yet they continued teaching.

Why?

Because they feared God more than man.

They were more concerned with fulfilling God’s will than with securing the world’s approval.

Their example reminded me that discipleship often requires us to choose whose approval we seek most.

The world’s approval is fleeting.

God’s approval is eternal.

Neither Criticism Nor Praise

In reflecting on this experience, I also realized that the challenge is not merely overcoming fear of criticism.

Sometimes the greater challenge is avoiding dependence on praise.

When we teach, testify, or serve, it can be tempting to measure success by others’ reactions. We naturally appreciate encouragement and validation.

But if criticism can distract us from our purpose, so can praise.

Our goal is not to be applauded.

Our goal is not to be validated.

Our goal is not even to be understood by everyone.

Our goal is to be faithful.

If we teach by the Spirit, those who are prepared to receive the message will receive it through the Spirit. Others may not. But the responsibility for how the message is received ultimately rests between the individual and the Lord.

The Question That Remains

The lesson I continue to carry from this experience is simple.

When we sincerely seek God’s will, our responsibility is to follow it.

We should neither fear the criticism of men nor seek after their praise. Both can become distractions if our hearts are not centered on God.

The question that remains for each of us is the same question the Savior asked Peter:

“Lovest thou me more than these?”

Every disciple must answer that question for himself or herself.

And perhaps the answer is revealed less by what we say than by what we are willing to do when following the Lord becomes difficult.