In the parable of the Wicked Husbandmen, Jesus told how the planter of the vineyard (who we understand to represent God) let out His vineyard to Husbandmen (people who cultivate land). He sent servants to “receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard”, but the servants were caught, beaten, sent away, wounded, stoned and even killed, reminding us of the treatment received by many of the Prophets.

In the parable, the planter of the vineyard tries sending one more person:

“Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.” (Mark 12:6)

Of course, the Son was not reverenced and while this parable gives a disheartening account of sacred history, it also speaks to the love that the Father has for His ‘wellbeloved’ son.

While in prison in the Land of Nephi, the voice of God was heard by His servants Lehi and Nephi, saying “Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.” (Helaman 5:47)

Of all of the adjectives that God the Father could have used to introduce His Son, both on the Mount of Transfiguration as well as in the Sacred Grove, He chose to describe Jesus as His ‘Beloved’ Son (Mark 9:7, JSH 1:17) He could have declared ‘This is my mighty Son’… ‘my perfect Son’, ‘my obedient Son’, but instead he focused on the the extent to which Jesus is loved.

Jesus Christ is well beloved by His Father and he is well beloved by those who follow Him. His selfless life, His exact obedience, His loyalty, His kindness, His strength, His goodness and His atoning sacrifice make Him a more worthy subject of our love than any other.

If Jesus is ‘wellbeloved’ by us, He has given clear instructions as to how we are to express our gratitude and affection; “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) “And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” (1 John 4:21)