Elder Russell Nelson initiated a spirited discussion on the nature of God's love with his article "Divine Love" (Feb. 2003 Ensign, p. 20-25, available at Lds.org). He wrote that divine love "cannot correctly be characterized as unconditional," and that "the higher levels of love the Father and Son feel for each of us . . . are conditional" (p. 21-22, italics in original). While squaring God's absolute love with the various forms of divine punishment creates its own theological difficulties, the assertion God's love for us is conditional nevertheless raises eyebrows.
Contrary statements by LDS leaders are not hard to find. "God’s mercy comes from his unlimited and unconditional love for us. Likewise, we should show mercy to others because of our unlimited and unconditional love for them (Elder Robert E. Wells, "The Beatitudes," Dec. 1987 Ensign, p. 8+). A professor of family science writes in the October 1992 Ensign that "[p]arents who express unconditional love for their children and teach them the principles of the gospel" have done all they can to make troubled children emotionally secure (p. 53+). Scriptural references include John 3:16 (cited by Elder Nelson in the article). Only future statements by LDS leadership will indicate whether Elder Nelson's remarks mark a permanent reformulation of the Mormon doctrine of divine love, or merely a thought-provoking doctrinal detour.
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