The Love of God

I work on a daily basis with criminal defendants, and this often makes me ponder about how God must feel about them.... guilty or not and regardless of the type of crime.  While reading this week in the Book of Mormon I noticed that Nephi asked a similar question. Speaking of the people led out of Egypt he asked:

 "Do ye suppose that they were righteous? Behold I say unto you, Nay. Do ye suppose that our fathers would have been more choice than they if they had been righteous? I say unto you, Nay. Behold the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one." - 1 Nephi 17: 33-35

I know that we learn and are blessed when we obey the commandments of God -- however, even when we are not obedient, even when we have completely disregarded all of God's words, we are not any less loved of God. Righteousness is not a pre-requisite for God loving us. I know that is true, and in the name of Jesus Christ, I leave you with this testimony, a quote from the prophet of God himself:

"That love never changes. … It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve [it]. It is simply always there."