My Life as a Mormon: I am a Child of God

One of the very first lessons we learn as youngsters in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that all of us are children of God.

When I was younger, my family wasn't too active in the church, so I didn't attend Primary, the children's Sunday school, very often. My mother, however, did teach me one Primary song. This one song has stuck with me for as long as I can remember -  calming my fears, giving me peace, and erasing bad thoughts.

I am a child of God
And He has sent me here.
Has given me an earthly home,
with parents kind and dear.

I am a child of God
and so my needs are great
Help me to understand His words
before it grows to late

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

So many people in this world struggle to find meaning in their lives as they ponder the question, Who am I? 

Knowing that I am a child of God has given me great purpose and comfort in my life. I have decided that being a child of God has 3 major influences in my life:

1. I know my Father in Heaven loves me. Because I am His daughter, I know He loves me more than I can even comprehend. I know he knows me personally and by name.  I know He knows what is best for me - I can trust Him when His answers are "No," or "Not yet." I know I am never alone. During high school I was 1200 miles away from my earthly father, and it was difficult at times, not having his physical support close-by. But I always knew that no matter what, I could fall upon my knees and seek out my Eternal Father in Heaven and feel His love surround me.
2. Knowing I am a daughter of God changes the way I treat myself. 

Elder Russel M. Nelson, an apostle of the Quorum of the 12, has stated:

Who are we? We are children of God. Our potential is unlimited. Our inheritance is sacred. 

If I am to achieve this unlimited potential and sacred inheritance, I must strive to always be worthy of it.

My body was created in the image of my Heavenly Father. I must treat it with the respect and honor He would want me to. Elder Nelson continues:

"How should these truths influence our personal behavior? We should gratefully acknowledge God as our Creator. ..We will regard our body as a temple of our very own. We will not let it be desecrated or defaced in any way. We will control our diet and exercise for physical fitness...As children of God, we should not let anything enter the body that might defile it. We will cherish our chastity and avoid “foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown [us] in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:9). We will “flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, [and] meekness” (1 Timothy 6:11)—traits that edify the whole
soul."

(Read the whole article here.)

3. Knowing I am a daughter of God changes the way I treat others. Everyone around me holds the same divine nature and potential that I do - everyone around me is my spirit brother or sister. I should not judge them, treat them unkindly, or put them down. Instead, I should be uplifting and kind, helping them on their own journey to return to our Father. We are in this together - we are fighting a battle against Satan, not each other.

Psalm 82:6 reads: Ye are Gods, and all of you are children of the most High.

*Remember: Comments ware welcome -

But please no hateful, critical, nasty, rude, or anything of that manner.

If ever I'm wrong about something, I'll appreciate 

helpful, respectful, and tactful feedback.

If ever I say something that intrigues you, or you want to know more about,

I'll love thoughtful, honest inquisitions.