In a meeting recently, our bishop stated that while many are motivated to action by fear or reward, he hoped that we would be motivated by love.

I think you have encapsulated his thoughts perfectly with the scriptures.

This post is good and timely.
as you may have gathered by reading some of my comments on other blogs, I’ve struggle with an anxiety disorder of sorts over the last couple of years. With such, the expectations that I place upon myself because of a bass-ackwards way of living the gospel (ie, do it until you feel like doing it) can be quite painful–even to the point being psychologically traumatizing. No joke!

I think it’s important for us to remember that, while we are required to do our best, out best really isn’t very good. I like what Hugh Nibley said (in so many words), that none of us is very smart or strong or courageous or even virtuous(!), so why get hung up on how poorly we’re doing? It really does boil down to faith in Christ–believing that He’ll sustain us.

Also, I think when we become overly focused on works that we tend to build a belief within ourselves that we are unacceptable to the Lord. We forget that if the Spirit is a striving with us that this should be a sign that the Lord accepts us–even with all our weaknesses. You cannot receive a remission of sins without receiving the Holy Ghost.

Jack

It just proves to me that all of our scriptures, the Testaments, the Book of Mormon and the D&C all work hand in hand. Thank you for this post

You make a good point. The interesting thing is that we often don’t even know the Holy Ghost is working with us. He is required, though, to have our sins burned out of us.
In saying that we don’t often know He is with us, it is important to understand that when we think He is not, we are playing on the devil’s territory, because he would have us believe we are not worthy.
The other important issue is doing our best. How do we measure that? Is it by how we feel? Can’t be. Is it by what we think? I believe that is unreliable too?
I believe that the reason the Lord looks upon the heart is that it is far enough away, and deep enough, to be beyond tampering, even by ourselves.
With all the adversity that mortality brings to some, some brought on by genetics, some by environment, and some by ourselves, it can be too onerous for us to do effective self analysis. We do become hyper-critical. Consequently we create a hell often, instead of a heaven on earth.
That is why I place so much emphasis on pre-earth existence.
Mortality takes on a whole different perspective for me than most Church members. I do not believe that we are here to “prove” ourselves as some would define it (that’s why I used scare qoutes).
The essential nature of mortality, to me, is to gain a body and gain experience. This is the Lord’s plan. We are willingly participating in it because of what He has to offer. The greatest blessing that one can have in mortality, is to know that Jesus is the Christ, that He suffered and died for us, and was resurrected, thus enabling us to live forever.
The right (?) to that testimony was earned in the pre-earth life where we exercised our agency and chose to be valiant or not.
When we read John 10:25-29, there is not much doubt in my mind He knows who we are.

That is why we go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, – to gather scattered Israel.
His promises to those who choose Him is eternal life. It doesn’t come with ands, ifs or buts, but rather with a sure knowledge that we will be exalted.
Mortality is the 2nd act in a 3 act play (I believe Bro. Packer used that analogy). It has a part but it is not the whole part.

Back to this being God’s plan; if we are placed in the circumstances we are, on an ad hoc basis, and we all have to become as close to perfect as the best person we are aware of, in order to be saved, then there is no justice and no mercy.
If on the other hand this is God’s plan, and He knows all, including who we are, what our faithfulness was in the pre-earth sphere, and we rejoiced when it was presented to us, then the purpose here is exactly as illustrated in the temple.
Those who were faithful there, get to make covenants here (including the spirit world) and all will rejoice.

My mind was working at a frenetic pace as I was doing this under a time constraint. I hope it makes sense.