Divine Identity
- April Tribe Giauque
- Jul 15
- 2 min read
Elder S Vargas
Written by April Tribe Giauque
In nature, salmon are born in rivers and swim to the ocean to find conditions and food needed to grow. The ocean is dangerous for salmon, with predators and fishers using fake bait. If the salmon survive, scientists have learned through research that they use a type of magnetic map, similar to GPS, to guide them back to their birthplace.
Like salmon, Heavenly Father’s children have a magnetic guide — the Light of Christ — to help guide them back to their heavenly home.
As we focus our lives on Jesus Christ, we will find our way home. Why do we want to go home? We yearn for a home because we possess a divine nature, and our ultimate destiny is to return there. From the family proclamation, we read that “each [of us] is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.
The story of Moses: Before His birth in mortality, Jesus Christ appeared to Moses and spoke to him on behalf of the Father. He told Moses He had a great work for him to do. During that meeting, the Lord called him “my son” several times. Who came right after that meeting? Satan tried using a loud voice, darkness, and fear to get him to follow him. But Moses, remembering his divine nature, said to Satan, “Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God.” The truth freed Moses from an attack by the adversary.
Elder Vargas had an experience that almost took him away from Chruch forever. He was teaching Sunday school, and during the meeting, controversy and contention arose, offending him. He decided never to return. But a priesthood brother stood in front of him and lovingly invited him to focus on Christ, rather than on the situation they had experienced in class.
Just as salmon need to be nourished in the ocean to grow, we also need to nourish ourselves spiritually to avoid dying of spiritual malnutrition. Prayer, the scriptures, the temple, and our regular attendance at Sunday meetings are vital in our spiritual menu.
Deep within each of us is a desire to return to our heavenly home, and Jesus Christ is our guide to this heavenly home. He is the way. His atoning sacrifice makes it possible for us to make sacred covenants with God.
The Savior taught, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” His atoning sacrifice allows our sins to be forgiven to the point that He no longer remembers them.
The Savior taught, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” His atoning sacrifice allows our sins to be forgiven to the point that He no longer remembers them.
Our covenants bring us closer to God to the point of making the impossible possible, filling every space of darkness and doubt with light and peace. Thanks to Jesus Christ, there is hope and well-founded reasons to continue loving, praying, and supporting those we care about.
Comments