Am I a Child of God?
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What does it mean to be a child of God?
- How can understanding our divine identity help us in our daily lives?
- What are some ways we can seek to know God, our Father, more deeply?
- How does the Book of Mormon teach us about God's character and our relationship with Him?
- What role do mothers play in helping their children understand their divine identity?
Topics
Understanding Our Divine Identity
Elder Taylor emphasizes that we are all children of God, a truth that can provide immense comfort and strength. He recounts personal experiences and teachings from Church leaders to illustrate the importance of this knowledge.
You are a child of God. He is the father of your spirit. Spiritually you are of noble birth, the offspring of the King of Heaven.
When you … see our Father, you will see a being with whom you have long been acquainted, and he will receive you into his arms, and you will be ready to fall into his embrace and kiss him.
- What does it mean to you to be a child of God?
- How can understanding your divine identity help you in times of trial?
- How can you remind yourself daily of your divine heritage?
- Have you had experiences where knowing you are a child of God provided comfort or guidance? Record these experiences.
The Great War over Divine Identity
Elder Taylor discusses the ongoing battle against Satan's attempts to distort our understanding of our divine identity. He uses the example of Moses to illustrate how knowing our true identity can help us resist temptation.
This great war over divine identity rages fiercely as Satan’s proliferating arsenal aims to destroy our belief in and knowledge of our relationship with God.
Teach them their identity and their purpose.
- Why does Satan want to distort our understanding of our divine identity?
- How can knowing our true identity help us resist temptation?
- What are some ways you can strengthen your understanding of your divine identity?
- Reflect on a time when knowing your divine identity helped you overcome a challenge. How did it make a difference?
The Power of Knowing We Are Children of God
Elder Taylor shares the story of Jen, a young woman who found healing and strength through the knowledge that she is a child of God. This knowledge helped her overcome immense guilt and emotional pain.
Knowing I am a child of God is the most powerful knowledge I possess!
Christ felt my pains, my sorrows, my guilt.
- How did the knowledge that she is a child of God help Jen heal from her emotional and spiritual wounds?
- What role did the Savior's Atonement play in Jen's healing process?
- How can you apply the principle of being a child of God in your own life?
- Think about a difficult experience you have faced. How might remembering that you are a child of God help you find peace and strength?
Seeking to Know God, Our Father
Elder Taylor encourages us to seek a deeper relationship with God by learning about Him and His Son, Jesus Christ. He shares examples from the lives of Jesus and Joseph Smith to illustrate the power of seeking God.
Something powerful happens when a child of God seeks to know more about Him and His Beloved Son.
As we follow the examples of the Savior and the Prophet Joseph in earnestly seeking God, we will come to understand in a very real way, as Jen did, that our Father knows us by name, that we are His children.
- What examples do we have of individuals seeking to know God?
- How can seeking to know God change our lives?
- What are some specific ways you can seek to know God better?
- Write about a time when you felt closer to God through prayer or scripture study. How did it impact your life?
The Excellency of God’s Character—My Witness
Elder Taylor bears his personal testimony of God's character and His love for us. He describes God as a compassionate and patient Father who rejoices when we seek to know Him and strive to live righteously.
I love the God of my fathers, "the Lord God Almighty," who weeps with us in our sorrows, patiently chastens our unrighteousness, and rejoices when we seek to "give away all [our] sins to know [Him]."
Gratefully, I testify that I have come to know God, my Father, and bear witness of the perfections, attributes, and "excellency of [His] character."
- How does Elder Taylor describe God's character?
- What does it mean to "give away all [our] sins to know [Him]"?
- Reflect on your own experiences with God. How have you felt His love and guidance in your life?
- What steps can you take to come to know God better and appreciate His character more fully?
