Your Divine Nature and Eternal Destiny
Your Divine Nature and Eternal Destiny
Dale G. Renlund
Takeaways:
The young woman theme is applicable to all. It contains important truths:
1) You are a child of God. “Nothing you do—or do not do—can change that.” We might not always feel His love, but it is always there. “God’s love is perfect. Our ability to sense that love is not.” The Spirit in important in communicating that love, but sin, strong emotions, certain behaviors, physical or mental illness, etc. can obscure the Spirit.
2) We have a heavenly father and mother. We do not know much about our Heavenly Mother, but we shouldn’t speculate or turn to unreliable sources. “Reason cannot replace revelation.”
3) We have a divine nature that is intrinsic to who we are and is inherited from our divine parents. “This is our most important identify, regardless of how else we choose to identify ourselves.”
4) We have an eternal destiny that will not be forced on us. “After death, we will receive what we have qualified for and ‘enjoy [only] that which [we] are willing to receive.’” Achieving that destiny is dependent on our choices and requires us to make and keep covenants. “We cannot create our own path and expect God’s promised outcomes.” We are free to choose, but we cannot choose consequences.
The final paragraph of the theme discusses repentance. “When we sincerely repent, no spiritual scar remains, no matter what we have done, how serious it was, or how many times we repeated it. As often as we repent and seek forgiveness with real intent, we can be forgiven. . . . Even after sincere repentance, however, we may stumble. Stumbling does not mean that the repentance was inadequate but may simply reflect human weakness. How comforting to know that 'the Lord sees weaknesses differently than He [sees] rebellion.'"
YW Theme:
I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny.
As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I strive to become like Him. I seek and act upon personal revelation and minister to others in His holy name.
I will stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places.
As I strive to qualify for exaltation, I cherish the gift of repentance and seek to improve each day. With faith, I will strengthen my home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, and receive the ordinances and blessings of the holy temple.
YW Theme:
I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny.
As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I strive to become like Him. I seek and act upon personal revelation and minister to others in His holy name.
I will stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places.
As I strive to qualify for exaltation, I cherish the gift of repentance and seek to improve each day. With faith, I will strengthen my home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, and receive the ordinances and blessings of the holy temple.
Questions to Ponder:
“Is my love for God constant, or do I love Him when I have good days but not so much when I have bad days?”
Do I follow the covenant path with exactness, or do I try and forge my own path, hoping that I will reap the same rewards?
Further Study:
Gospel Topics, “Heavenly Parents;”
Richard G. Scott, "Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ," Ensign, Nov. 2013, 83