President Snow said:
As man now is, God once was:
As God now is, man may be.
Our belief that men and women can become gods and goddesses is one of the doctrines that sets us apart from the other religions of the world.
Babies inherit characteristics from their parents. Hopefully as they grow up they are proud to be members of their families and want to represent them well. Similarly, we inherit spiritual characteristics of our heavenly parents and should be proud to be children of God. Marion G. Romney taught that man is god in embryo. Romans 8:16 teaches that we are children of God. Moroni 7:48 teaches that when we see Christ, we will recognize that we are like him.
Terri's mom served a mission in Louisiana, right in the Bible Belt. She met a man there who was very upset with the doctrine that men can become gods. She asked the man if he was a parent, and he said that he was. She asked if he was eager to give all the best that he could to his child, and he said yes. She said it's like that with God: he is even more eager to bless us than we are to do well for our children. (See Matthew 7:9-11 - one of my favorite scriptures; also in 3 Nephi 14:9-11)
Just as knowing that you could earn an earthly inheritance from your earthly father might encourage you to maintain a strong relationship with him, our promise of heavenly rewards should motivate us to obey the commandments and stay close to our Father in Heaven. He have inherited our image from God; we have also inherited the spiritual composition of deity.
How can this knowledge influence you? An astute visitor whose name I didn't catch said that is helps her not judge others. She knows they are daughters of God. She wants to see people as Heavenly Father sees them.
Betsy told a story of an eagle that was raised as a chicken. A naturalist wanted to teach the eagle to fly. The eagle's natural tendency was to stay on the ground, pecking in the dirt like a chicken. Finally the eagle realized its true identity and soared away. (Click HERE for the story.) Betsy has been working in the temple. She has been struck by the great promises in the temple ordinances. She encouraged us to attend the temple--and to remember those promises instead of jumping back down with the chickens. That's not your destiny. Look up, and remember what you're meant to be!
Betsy lost her father unexpectedly when she was 17, shortly before her high school graduation. It was very hard for her. She had regrets. She wanted to talk with him and tell him that she loved him, so she began talking with her father out loud in her bedroom. As she was doing so, she had the strongest impression, "I am your Heavenly Father. Talk to me!" She made a commitment to draw closer to her Father in Heaven, and it made such a difference in her life!
What is your destiny?
Tavah said it was hard for her at first (and sometimes still is) to be "just" a mom. However, she knows her most important work is in her own home. The best service and the best charity she can offer is that offered in her own home.
What will it be like to stand with Heavenly Father?
- It will depend on how you lived. -Sue
- You've been promised all that Heavenly Father has to offer. (D&C 84) -Wendy
- You can share all His knowledge. -Misty
- I won't be exhausted anymore. -Lynne
- We'll be resurrected in our best form! -Cynthia C.
- We'll recognize Heavenly Father immediately. -Guest
- We'll see worlds without end. We'll be surrounded by the people we love. -Betsy
Sue said that she is writing her memoirs. As she's relating experiences in her life, she's sharing the lessons she learned from each of them. It's been therapeutic to see that she's learned so much, just living an ordinary life.
Betsy told about hiking up Mt. Grandeur, the second highest peak in Utah. She left at 6:30 a.m. and was feeling good and enjoying herself. After a lot of hiking, she reached a plateau. The view was gorgeous, and she so enjoyed the rest from the upward hike. She decided it had been worth all the hard work to get to that point, but she was ready to turn around and go home. Her friends persuaded her to hike onward. Sure enough, she got to a higher part, and it was amazing. She could see for miles and was so glad she'd made it that far. But her body ached and she was so ready to head back down the mountain. Once again, her hiking companions urged her on toward the top, which was even nearer now. She slogged to the top, and it was incredible! It was worth the time and all those aching muscles and remains a fond memory for her to this day. Life is like that: sometimes we get to a great place, and we're ready to call it good. Our eternal striving is more of the same. The Telestial kingdom will be a kingdom of great glory, but that shouldn't be our goal. We shouldn't settle for less than we are worthy of. The work will all be worth it when we are rewarded in the Celestial kingdom.
Betsy challenged us to go to the temple and read our patriarchal blessings to remind us of the lofty goals our Heavenly Father would have us achieve. She encouraged us with words she used to share with her children: Remember who and what you are, and act accordingly!
Tara Smith concluded the lesson by singing "Daughter of a King." She did it so beautifully. Obviously I can't share her performance here; however, you can click HERE for a lovely YouTube variation.
