What Is a Divine Destiny?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Moses 1 and Abraham 3 in a lesson titled “This Is My Work and My Glory.” The lesson was introduced by the following information.

The Bible begins with the words “in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). But what was there before this “beginning”? And why did God create all of this? Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord has shed light on these questions.

For example, He gave us the record of a vision in which Abraham saw our existence as spirits “before the world was” (see Abraham 3:22-28). The Lord also gave us an inspired translation or revision of the first six chapters of Genesis, called the book of Moses—which doesn’t begin with “in the beginning.” Instead, it begins with an experience Moses had that provides some context for the Creation story. Together, these latter-day scriptures are a good place to start our study of the Old Testament because they address some fundamental questions that can frame our reading: Who is God? Who are we? What is God’s work, and what is our place in it? The opening chapters of Genesis could be seen as the Lord’s response to Moses’s request: “Be merciful unto thy servant, O God, and tell me concerning this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, and also the heavens” (Moses 1:36).

Some principles found in Moses 1 and Abraham 3 (Both books are found in the Pearl of Great Price.) are (1) As a child of God, I have a divine destiny (Moses 1); (2) With the Lord’s help, I can resist Satan (Moses 1:12-26); (3) God’s work and glory is to help me gain eternal life (Moses 1:27-39; Abraham 3); (4) I lived as a spirit before I was born on earth (Abraham 3:22-28). This essay will discuss the first principle about divine destiny.

President Russell M. Nelson taught, “If the Lord were speaking to you directly, the first thing He would make sure you understand is your true identity” (“Choices for Eternity” [worldwide devotional for young adults, May 2022], Gospel Library. It stands to reason that Satan would try to confuse you on that same point. This pattern is found in Moses 1:4, 6, 12. 

4 And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease.

6 And I have a work for thee, Moses, my son; and thou art in the similitude of mine Only Begotten; and mine Only Begotten is and shall be the Savior, for he is full of grace and truth; but there is no God beside me, and all things are present with me, for I know them all.

12 And it came to pass that when Moses had said these words, behold, Satan came tempting him, saying: Moses, son of man, worship me.

President Nelson also taught, “The way you think about who you really are affects almost every decision you will ever make” (“Choices for Eternity”). He then elaborated on the topic. 

First: Know the truth about who you are. I believe that if the Lord were speaking to you directly tonight, the first thing He would make sure you understand is your true identity. My dear friends, you are literally spirit children of God. You have sung this truth since you learned the words to “I Am a Child of God.” But is that eternal truth imprinted upon your heart? Has this truth rescued you when confronted with temptation?

I fear that you may have heard this truth so often that it sounds more like a slogan than divine truth. And yet, the way you think about who you really are affects almost every decision you will ever make.

In 2006, when I married Wendy, I was in for several surprises—most of them quite wonderful. One of those surprises was the number of clothing items she owned that displayed a logo—universities from which she graduated, places she had traveled, and so forth. Whenever she wore one of those items, I teased her by saying, “Who are you advertising today?” She invited me to join in the fun!

Labels can be fun and indicate your support for any number of positive things. Many labels will change for you with the passage of time. And not all labels are of equal value. But if any label replaces your most important identifiers, the results can be spiritually suffocating.

For example, if I were to rank in order of importance the designations that could be applied to me, I would say: First, I am a child of God—a son of God—then a son of the covenant, then a disciple of Jesus Christ and a devoted member of His restored Church.

Next would come my honored titles as a husband and father, then Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

All other labels that have applied to me—such as a medical doctor, surgeon, researcher, professor, lieutenant, captain, PhD, American, and so forth—would fall somewhere down the list.

Now, let us turn the question to you. Who are you?

First and foremost, you are a child of God.

Second, as a member of the Church, you are a child of the covenant. And third, you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Tonight, I plead with you not to replace these three paramount and unchanging identifiers with any others, because doing so could stymie your progress or pigeonhole you in a stereotype that could potentially thwart your eternal progression.

For example, if you are identified mainly as an American, those who are not Americans may think, “I know everything there is to know about you” and attribute erroneous beliefs to you.

If you identify yourself by your political affiliation, you will instantly be categorized as having certain beliefs—though I don’t know anyone who believes everything that their preferred political party presently embraces.

We could go on and on, rehearsing the constraints of various labels that we put on ourselves or that other people place upon us.

Some might label me as an “old man.” But I’m a lot younger than Adam was—and Noah too. Ageism, racism, nationalism, sexism, and a host of other “isms” are universally limiting.

How tragic it is when someone believes the label another person has given them. Imagine the heartache of a child who is told, “You are dumb.” Identifiers and labels are powerful!

The adversary rejoices in labels because they divide us and restrict the way we think about ourselves and each other. How sad it is when we honor labels more than we honor each other.

Labels can lead to judging and animosity. Any abuse or prejudice toward another because of nationality, race, sexual orientation, gender, educational degrees, culture, or other significant identifiers is offensive to our Maker! Such mistreatment causes us to live beneath our stature as His covenant sons and daughters!

There are various labels that may be very important to you, of course. Please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that other designations and identifiers are not significant. I am simply saying that no identifier should displace, replace, or take priority over these three enduring designations: “child of God,” “child of the covenant,” and “disciple of Jesus Christ.”

Any identifier that is not compatible with these three basic designations will ultimately let you down. Other labels will disappoint you in time because they do not have the power to lead you toward eternal life in the celestial kingdom of God.

Worldly identifiers will never give you a vision of who you can ultimately become. They will never affirm your divine DNA or your unlimited, divine potential.

Because there is a grand plan of salvation authored by Heavenly Father, does it not stand to reason that you also have a divine destiny?

Make no mistake about it: Your potential is divine. With your diligent seeking, God will give you glimpses of who you may become.

So who are you? First and foremost, you are a child of God, a child of the covenant, and a disciple of Jesus Christ. As you embrace these truths, our Heavenly Father will help you reach your ultimate goal of living eternally in His holy presence. [Emphasis added.]

 

What Does It Mean to You to Be a Child of God?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Acts 16-21 and a lesson titled “The Lord Had Called Us for to Preach the Gospel.” This is the counsel given prior to the lesson: “As you read about Paul’s efforts to preach the gospel, the Spirit may prompt you with thoughts or feelings. Write these promptings down, and make plans to act on them.” The lesson was then introduced with the following paragraph.

Among the Lord’s final words to His Apostles was the commandment “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). While the Apostles didn’t quite make it to all nations, Acts 16-21 does show that Paul and his companions did make remarkable progress in establishing the Church. They taught, baptized, and conferred the gift of the Holy Ghost. They performed miracles, even raising a man from the dead, and foretold the Great Apostasy (Acts 20:7-12, 28-31). And the work they started continues with living Apostles today, along with devoted disciples like you, who are helping fulfill the Savior’s commission in ways Paul never could have imagined. Perhaps you are aware of people who do not know their Heavenly Father or His gospel. Perhaps you have felt that your “spirit was stirred in [you]” to share with them what you know about Him (Acts 17:16). If you follow Paul’s example of humility and boldness in sharing the gospel, you may find someone “whose heart the Lord [has] opened” (Acts 16:14).

The principle for discussion tonight is “We are the offspring of God” (Acts 17:16-34). The scripture block for this week covers Paul’s second and third missionary journeys. While in Athens, Paul found people with diverse opinions and religious views. They were always seeking “to hear some new thing,” and what Paul had to offer was definitely new to them (see Acts 17:19-21).

The Athenians worshipped many gods. However, they desired to acknowledge all the gods, so they included a god that they called “the unknown God” (Acts 17:23). They believed that the gods were powers or forces, not living, personal beings, and certainly not our Father. Here are the words directly from the scriptures:

16 ¶ Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

22 ¶ Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.

30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Paul emphasized that the “Unknown God” was the father of the human race. This was a brand-new idea to the Athenians because their other gods were made from gold, silver, or stone. Being a child of God is much different than being just one of His creations. Understanding this truth should help us to see ourselves and others in a different light. We are all children of God, and He loves each one of us. We should be careful about how we treat ourselves or other people. The following information comes from the Come Follow Me lesson for Sunday School. 

“The Family: A Proclamation to the World” shares eternal truths about our relationship to God: “All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

President Dallin H. Oaks spoke of the importance of seeing ourselves first and foremost as spiritual children of God:

“Be careful how you characterize yourself. Don’t characterize or define yourself by some temporary quality. The only single quality that should characterize us is that we are a son or daughter of God. That fact transcends all other characteristics, including race, occupation, physical characteristics, honors, or even religious affiliation. …

“We have our agency, and we can choose any characteristic to define us. But we need to know that when we choose to define ourselves or to present ourselves by some characteristic that is temporary or trivial in eternal terms, we de-emphasize what is most important about us, and we overemphasize what is relatively unimportant. This can lead us down the wrong path and hinder our eternal progress” (“Be Wise” [Brigham Young University–Idaho devotional, Nov. 7, 2006], byui.edu). [As quoted in Come Follow Me – For Sunday School, 2023].

 

Children of God

One of my most favorite songs is entitled "I Am A Child of God" and was written by Naomi Ward Randall about 1957. It teaches and explains our true relationship to God. I learned this song when I was a child, probably soon after it was written.

"I am a child of God, and He has sent me here, has given me an earthly home with parents kind and dear. [Chorus] Lead me, guide me, walk beside me, help me find the way. Teach me all that I must do to live with Him some day." The second verse states: "I am a child of God, and so my needs are great; help me to understand His words before it grows too late" followed by the chorus. The third verse is, "I am a child of God. Rich blessings are in store; if I but learn to do His will, I'll live with Him once more.” [Chorus]. The fourth verse was added later and states: I am a child of God. His promises are sure; celestial glory shall be mine if I can but endure" [Chorus].

This song teaches a very important doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ in a manner that even children can understand it. God is the Creator and the Ruler of this earth and many other worlds. He is all powerful and all knowing. He is also our Heavenly Father and loves us very much. All of us are children of our Heavenly Father, literal sons and daughters of God. “Man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents, and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father, prior to coming upon the earth in a temporal [physical] body” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 335).

All people ever born on earth are spiritual brothers and sisters. Because God is our Father and we are His spirit children, we all have the potential to develop divine qualities. Jesus Christ, through His Atonement, made it possible for us to become like Heavenly Father and then to receive a fullness of joy.

We learn from the scriptures that prophets prepared themselves while they were still spirits in heaven to become leaders on earth (see Alma 13:1-3). While still in heaven, God foreordained or chose them to be leaders on earth. Jesus, Adam, and Abraham were among those who were foreordained to be leaders. (See Abraham 3:22-23.) Joseph Smith taught that “every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was [fore]ordained to that very purpose” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 511). Because God gave us all agency, everyone is still free to accept or reject any opportunity to serve.

Just as we are not identical here, we were not all alike as spirits. We were sons and daughters, males and females (see “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). We all had different talents and abilities and received different assignments on earth. Even though we do not remember our premortal life, Heavenly Father knows who we are and what we did in our life with Him.

Heavenly Father knew that we needed to leave His presence in order to progress and develop godlike qualities. In order to do this, we needed to be tested and tried and to gain experience. We also needed physical bodies, which we would leave at death but would be reunited with in the Resurrection. After our resurrection, our bodies would become immortal just like our Heavenly Father’s body. If we were obedient and passed our tests, we would receive the fulness of joy that Heavenly Father enjoys. (See Doctrine and Covenants 93:30-34.)
Our Heavenly Father called all of His spirit children together in a Grand Council and presented His plan for our progression (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 209, 511). He told us that we would become like Him if we would follow His plan. We would be resurrected; we would have all power in heaven and on earth; we would become heavenly parents and have spirit children just as He does (see Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-20).

Heavenly Father told us that He would provide an earth where we would prove ourselves (see Abraham 3:24-26). We would not be able to remember our heavenly home because a veil would cover our memories. Heavenly Father wanted us to exercise our agency to choose good or evil without any influence of memories of heaven. He wanted us to obey Him because of our faith in Him, not because of our knowledge or memory of Him. He made it possible for all of us to recognize the truth when we heard it again on earth (see John 18:37).

Heavenly Father also told us that some of His children would be deceived, choose other paths, and lose their way. He told us that we would have trials such as sickness, disappointments, pain, sorrow, and death, but He also told us that these things would give us experience and be for our own good (see Doctrine and Covenants 122:7). He told us that these trials would purify us rather than defeat us if we would exercise our faith. He told us that trials would help us to have endurance, patience, and charity (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 15-16).

Heavenly Father informed us that because of our weakness, we would all sin – except little children (see Doctrine and Covenants 29:46-47). He told us that He would provide a Savior so we could overcome our sins and overcome death with resurrection. He counseled us to place our faith in Him, obey His word, and follow His example. If we did those things, we would be exalted, become like Heavenly Father, and receive a fulness of joy.

Besides His general plan of salvation for all of us, Heavenly Father has a specific plan for each of His children. His plan for us will help us to reach our full potential as His child. His plan makes it possible for each of us to learn the lessons that we personally need and to do the most good with our particular talents and personalities.

Our Father in Heaven loves each of His children. He sent us to earth to receive physical bodies and to develop godlike qualities. He did this in order for us to be tested, to gain experience, and to progress as individuals. We were sent here to prove ourselves by exercising our moral agency to choose good or evil.