Let’s begin with a story: What if I don’t make it? The idea paralyzes me. I’ve prepared for this moment, this experience for so long, and the thought of failing, of losing everything I want and dream of, crushes me. My footsteps are soft, but worry weaves through me as I pace the polished wooden planks on the floor. My father is loving, generous, and has given me everything I need to prepare for the journey ahead. As I look around the opulent quarters—my own personal sanctuary—my eyes rest on the learning area. Would I ever study there again? My heart trembles at the thought. My journey will be long and difficult, but more than that…I know not everyone will return. Will I be one of the many who won’t make it home? Frustrated, I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose, drawing in slow, deep breaths. I’m normally so strong, so resilient. I know who I am and have always been focused on the plan. But tonight, I can’t quiet my fears. Without realizing where I’m going, I leave my room. There’s one person who can comfort me, can give me the peace I seek. I wander through a labyrinth of halls and arrive at my destination. I toss a smiling nod to the sentinels stationed at the door to ward off visitors this time of night. But my brothers never stop me from my late-night visits, per His orders. It’s bright as I enter the room, but no lighting is in use. I know He is here. “Father?” Bathed in His own glorious light, He glances up from a document He’s reading in His chair and smiles patiently at me. “Daughter, what is amiss?” He knows, of course. He knows all. But He doesn’t push me. He waits as I come to him. I sit on the floor to the left of His chair, wrap my right arm around his calf, and rest my head on His knee. It’s a position I’ve found myself in countless times over the ages—starting from when I was very young—and as always, He places His hand on my head, offering comfort, peace, and protection. I close my eyes, allowing that precious peace to weave through me. “I’m worried about my journey. I’m worried I’ll falter.” He listens quietly, allowing me the time needed to make sense of the feelings battering me from within. “I’m worried I won’t make it home,” I finally say, my voice soft. He runs His hand through my hair. “Daughter, have faith. Thou hast prepared. Thou hast learned all that thou needest to know. Look deep into thy heart, and even through trials, thou wilt know what to do. That is why thou hast prepared for so long. Continue to look to thy brother, and He will help you return.” He speaks truth. I know this. But I’m still uneasy. He moves his hand to my shoulder and squeezes. “I believe in you.” I suck in a breath as his reassurance washes over me. My mind is now focused, and my heart is steady. With His confidence, I know I can overcome all. *** I wanted to start with this story for a few reasons. As you might have guessed, it is a story about a woman who is nearing her mortal journey on Earth. She has prepared for the tests she will face, but worry clouds her heart. She goes to her Father—our Heavenly Father, the supreme being of the universe[1]—and places her worries at His feet. He comforts her, gives her peace, and proclaims His confidence in her. Now, this is a piece of fiction, but I love it because it contains many eternal truths. I want you to ponder for a moment on the truths you perceive in this story, particularly about our Heavenly Father. Really. Take a minute. In the Lectures on Faith, Joseph Smith said, “Let us observe, that three things are necessary in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation. First, the idea that he actually exists. Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes. Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to his will.”[2] I’m going to assume you believe Heavenly Father exists. But what about Joseph Smith’s second and third points? Do you know who God is? Are you living your life in accordance with His will? Let’s discuss this further. Who is God the Eternal Father?Photo Credit: Robert Barrett – The Grand Council Joseph Smith once said, “God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret.”[3] Elder Bruce R. McConkie has confirmed these truths by saying, “The Father is a glorified, perfected, resurrected, exalted man who worked out his salvation by obedience to the same laws he has given to us so that we may do the same.”[4] Elder McConkie also said, “The Father is a Holy Man; he is Ahman, the Almighty Elohim. The profound truth concerning God is that he is a Holy Man, a personage of tabernacle, a being in whose image and likeness mortal man was made. His work and his glory are to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Eternal life is the name of the kind of life he lives, and until men know that he is a Holy Man, they will never have the desire and the incentive to become like him and to be inheritors of eternal life.”[5] The scriptures also testify of these things: Moses 7:35 - Behold, I am God; Man of Holiness is my name; Man of Counsel is my name; and Endless and Eternal is my name, also. D&C 130:22 – The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us. See also Moses 6:57. God is an exalted man. He had a mortal experience exactly as we are having now. He followed the same commandments we have been given, He was true and faithful to them, and He has now moved on and progressed in unimaginable ways…just as we will, if we follow the same path. He is the literal father of our spirits. He loves us.James E. Talmage said, “God the Eternal Father, whom we designate by the exalted name-title ‘Elohim,’ is the literal Parent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and of the spirits of the human race.”[6] Brigham Young also taught these same truths. “I want to tell you, each and every one of you, that you are well acquainted with God our Heavenly Father, or the great Elohim. You are all well acquainted with him, for there is not a soul of you but what has lived in his house and dwelt with him year after year; and yet you are seeking to become acquainted with him, when the fact is, you have merely forgotten what you did know. There is not a person here to-day but what is a son or a daughter of that Being. In the spirit world their spirits were first begotten and brought forth, and they lived there with their parents for ages before they came here.”[7] And Spencer W. Kimball has given us wonderful insight about women. “God made man in his own image and certainly he made woman in the image of his wife-partner.”[8] God is the literal father of our spirits, and He loves and cares for us more than we can imagine. Take a look at these scriptures for further confirmation: Matthew 10:29–31 29 Are not two sparrows for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. See also 1 John 4:7–10; John 20:17; Acts 17:28–29; Hebrews 12:9; Numbers 16:22; 1 Nephi 11:14–22. I often think of Joseph Smith’s First Vision where the Father called him “by name and said, pointing to the other--This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”[9] Two things immediately stand out to me. First, Heavenly Father called Joseph by name. He knew Joseph. He knew what Joseph was seeking. He is aware of each of us and knows everything about us—our hopes, dreams, fears, weaknesses, and strengths. Second, the few times we have on record where Heavenly Father speaks to a person or people on Earth, it’s to introduce the Savior. And He always speaks with love regarding the Savior. My Beloved Son. Jesus Christ is Heavenly Father’s beloved son, but so are each and every one of us. Every soul is precious to Him. Everything that Heavenly Father does is to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”[10] He is our father. He wants us to return home. He wants us to succeed. And just like in the story at the beginning of this post, we were prepared for what we would face on Earth[11], and He has confidence in us, that with our agency, we'll return to Him. He is the supreme being. |
AuthorI am a proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am not a gospel scholar, but I hope to be one someday. While I’m learning and growing, I hope you join me on my journey for further light and knowledge. Archives
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