Have you ever wondered who you are or who you are supposed to become? In a world filled with thousands of possibilities I sometimes become overwhelmed by it all. I wish someone would just tell me who I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to do. I sometimes forget that in a lot of ways God has already told me. In a devotional addressed to young adults, President Nelson said “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” (Nelson, 2022). I am a child of God. You are a child of God. Maybe like me, you’ve heard this phrase over and over until it nearly has no meaning, but for a moment try to hear it for the first time and actually think about it.
You are a child of God.
Does it make you wonder… Am I? What does that mean? The scriptures give us some guidance.
“I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.”
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
We have Godly DNA inside of us. We have the potential to be like God. We can be perfectly kind, just, patient, forgiving, and understanding like Him. What does it mean to be a child of God? It means we are everything to God. We are of infinite value to Him. In Matthew 10:29-31 it emphasizes that teaching.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
How much more valuable are we than sparrows? To God we are everything. He teaches in Moses 1:39 “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” His life revolves around us. He spends his time constantly trying to help us achieve eternal happiness. He wants us to reach our potential, to be happy (2 Nephi 2:25), learn and grow, and be with Him again. He reaches out to us and helps us and loves when we reach out to Him. He loves us and is proud of the good things we do. When we make mistakes he encourages us to repent and do better. His love doesn’t change, it is constant, His hand is “stretched out still” (Isaiah 9:17) even when we are disobedient or imperfect. He is our perfect Father, and we are His imperfect children. Because He is perfect, we can trust Him and turn to Him for help.
God has given us divine potential and power. Sometimes I wish I had a clearer idea of how to reach that potential in my day to day life, but I know I can receive guidance from God as I pray, read the scriptures, and strive to follow God’s teachings. Understanding I am a Child of God helps me see the bigger picture of who He wants me to be. He has said “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). It is easy to get caught up in the things of the world and forget that our purpose here is to become like God. If we can remember the bigger picture, we can align our will with God’s and strive for better things. God knows us and loves us. We are His children. He will never forget us
“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.”
I love the story of the lost sheep in Luke 15:4-6, God cares deeply for us and does not want to lose any of His children.
“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.”
God truly rejoices over all of us who turn to Him. He wants us to draw nearer to Him so that He can bless us. The scriptures teach “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). We can gain the kingdom, and become like God someday. I know that we are God’s children and He is our Father. I know that He loves each of us and has a plan for us to reach our highest potential. I know that He is reaching out to us in love and kindness, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.