Who am I?

Hi friends! I’m starting a blog for a class I’m taking here at BYU, Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel.  Each week I’ll write a little something about the things I’ve been studying and how I’m applying what I learn in the class to my life.  I’m really excited about this, because one thing I miss from my mission is the opportunity to share my written testimony about our Heavenly Father and His son through weekly emails.

I’ve been thinking a bit about identity lately, so I was grateful for the opportunity to study Moses 1 this week.  After establishing His identity as the Lord God Almighty, God tells Moses, “Thou art my son” (Moses 1:4).  Then He says, “And I have a work for thee, Moses, my son” (1:6).  It has always been interesting to me that Moses first has to understand who God is, then who he is as God’s son, before he can understand and accept the calling that God has for him.  

As children of Heavenly Father, we have infinite potential.  He expects a lot from us, and that can be scary!  However, when we understand our relationship with Him - that we are literally His children, and He our Father - we don’t have to be afraid.  He understands our capabilities and our limitations more. than we do, and He never asks more of us than we can accomplish with His help.  And because He loves us, He won't ask for anything less than what will allow us to grow and stretch and reach our true potential

As a recently returned missionary, I’ve been trying to understand who I am, how I fit into my corner of the universe, and what I’m supposed to do with my time and talents now that I’m not out teaching and serving every day.  I’m not going to pretend like I have the answers all figured out right now, but studying Moses 1 reminded me of some important truths that I hope will help me figure it out.  Full-time missionary or not, I am a daughter of God, and He still has a calling for me.  He’s not going to leave me in the dark, wondering what He wants me to do.  Despite my relative insignificance in what we call “the grand scheme of things,” my Heavenly Father is personally interested in me and my experiences, and He’s going to help me have those experiences that will draw me closer to Him.  Lastly, I can do NOTHING without the grace of my Savior.

I’ll go ahead and wrap it up with one of my favorite verses from this chapter:

“For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

Think about that - the Lord has created worlds without number, yet His purpose is to bring man to enjoy the infinite joy and glory that He experiences.  That includes YOU!  So go forth, you beautiful child of God.  Your Father knows who He wants you to become, and He’s ready to help you get there.