Most Christians are well familiar with John 3:16, as you can often see the verse on posters at football games etc.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The verse following it is not quite as popular, but really stood out to me this morning:
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
This verse is just further evidence of God’s love. Sometimes we can feel we are not worth being loved. It seems we would rather have a pile of rocks heaped upon us that have to stand before God with all our imperfections. But here we are reminded that God did not send his son to condemn us, but rather to save us! This is good news indeed.
I think we can look at our church leaders in a similar manner. Sometimes when we have made mistakes that need to be confessed to our leaders we may be a bit scared thinking leaders may be so appalled that they will kick us out of the church. I feel Bishops are called to help us and allow us to be healed by the atonement rather than to condemn us.
As a former Bishop I wholeheartedly endorse Dustin’s comments on the role of a Bishop. I wish that the members of the church understood a Bishop’s role more fully. I have never felt the Savior’s love for his saints more fully than while wearing the mantle of a Bishop