Our Heavenly Father

A prophet named Alma lived on the American continent many years before the birth of Jesus Christ. He wrote on the golden plates that were translated and printed as Book of Mormon: “All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator” (Alma 30:44).

Like Alma, we can look up into the sky at night and see the millions of stars and planets, all in perfect order. We know that they did not get there by themselves or by chance. It is easy for us to see the work of God in the heavens and on earth. Even the plants, animals, mountains, rivers, and clouds in the sky testify to us that God is real.

I know that there is a God in heaven. I have felt His presence many times and have received many answers to prayers. I have numerous reasons why I believe in God. I look at the world around me and see everywhere proof that God exists. I see the sun rise and set every day without exception. I see the seasons follow in order - winter, spring, summer, fall - every year. In the spring I see my tulips and other flowers come back as well as the grass turn green and the leaves come out on the trees and on my raspberry bushes. Summer brings much more sunshine and warmth, which brings even more plants out of the ground. When the summer is over, I see the leaves turn beautiful colors and fall to the earth. Then I see the snow fall to insulate the earth from the bitter cold of winter. I see proof that God is in control whenever I look at the sky at night and see the millions of stars and constellations, all organized and in perfect order.

I saw the hand of God in my life on the day that my first grandchild was born. It was a wonderful blessing to be able to watch this miracle take place! I see evidence of God whenever I look into the faces of my little grandchildren and see their sweet spirits shining out through their eyes. I consider that it is a major miracle that all of my grandchildren were born with all of their parts in the proper places and in good health and strength.

The prophets of God have taught for many years that He is the Almighty Ruler of the universe who lives in heaven (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:17). God, through His Son Jesus Christ, created this earth and everything on it for the benefit of all His children. He also created the universe and other worlds. He did this in order that His children might have a place to go to obtain bodies and to learn to be like Him. I believe that all of us are created in the image of God as taught in Genesis 1:26-27 and as Stephen saw in Acts 7:55-56. We look like Him because we are His children. I believe that His glory is beyond description. I believe that God is perfect, has all power, and knows all things. I believe that He is full of goodness, love and mercy. I believe that all good things come from God.

God is “the Great parent of the universe” and is the Supreme and Absolute Being in whom we believe and put our trust and in whom we worship. God “looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and paternal regard” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 39).

We know that the eternal spirit of our Heavenly Father is housed in a tangible body of flesh and bones (see Doctrine and Covenants 130:22). We know from the scriptures that we are made in the image of God (see Genesis 1:26-27; Moses 2:26; 6:9). We know that our bodies look like His body because He is our Father. We also know that God has a perfected and glorified body with a glory beyond all description.

We know that God is perfect and is a God of righteousness. We know that he has attributes such as love, mercy, charity, truth, power, faith, knowledge, and judgment. We know that He has all power and that He knows all things. We know that He is full of goodness.

We also know that all good things come from God. We know that everything that He does is done to help His children become as He is. He told Moses, “Behold, this is my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

The Savior taught the importance of our knowing about God and becoming like Him. He said, "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3). When asked what the first and greatest commandment is, Jesus Christ answered, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart” (Matthew 22:37).

I believe that the more we know God, the more we will love Him and keep His commandments. I believe that we can become like Him. Some specific actions we can take to learn to know God better are: 1) Believe that He exists and loves us; 2) Study the scriptures; 3) Talk with Him in prayer; 4) Obey all of His commandments as best we can. By doing all these things we can come to know God and eventually return to live with both the Father and the Son.