Study Guide for "The Personal Journey of a Child of God"

In his talk, Elder Neil L. Andersen discusses the sacred journey of each child of God, from the premortal existence to their mortal life. He emphasizes the importance of respecting and safeguarding life, the role of women, the beauty of adoption, and the divine decision to have a child. He provides comfort for those whose righteous desires are not yet realized, and he underscores the value of every child in the eyes of God.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What is the eternal perspective of life before birth?
What is the role of women in the Church according to Elder Andersen?
What is the Church's stance on abortion?
How does Elder Andersen describe the beauty of adoption?
What does Elder Andersen say to those whose righteous desires are not yet realized?
What is the sacred decision to have a child?

Topics

Understanding Life Before Birth

Elder Andersen discusses the eternal perspective of life before birth. He emphasizes that our personal journey did not begin at birth but in a world of preparation where we received our first lessons. Each person who comes to earth is a unique son or daughter of God.

Before we were born, we were together in a world of preparation where we “received [our] first lessons in the world of spirits.”

There is no question that spirit daughters and sons of God are on their own personal journeys coming to earth to receive a body and experience mortality.

What does it mean to have an eternal perspective of life?
Why is it important to understand that our journey did not begin at birth?
How does understanding your premortal existence influence your perspective on life?
What can you do to remember and honor your divine heritage as a child of God?

Honoring and Appreciating Women

Elder Andersen acknowledges the amazing women of the Church, their sacrifices, and their contributions to families, the Church, and society. He emphasizes the great responsibility women have in bearing and raising children.

We love and honor the amazing women of this Church. With intelligence and wisdom, you bear the burdens of your family. You love. You serve. You sacrifice. You strengthen faith, minister to those in need, and greatly contribute to society.

What roles do women play in the Church and society?
How does Elder Andersen describe the responsibilities of women?
How can you show appreciation for the women in your life?
What can you learn from the women in your life about love, service, and sacrifice?

Safeguarding Life and the Sanctity of Human Life

Elder Andersen discusses the sacred responsibility of safeguarding life, particularly unborn life. He shares President Gordon B. Hinckley’s deep concern for the number of abortions in the world and emphasizes the sanctity of human life.

Abortion is an evil, stark and real and repugnant, which is sweeping over the earth.

You are the mothers of the sons and daughters of God, whose lives are sacred. Safeguarding them is a divinely given responsibility which cannot be lightly brushed aside.

What is the Church's stance on abortion?
Why is it important to safeguard life?
How can you uphold the sanctity of life in your own actions and attitudes?
What can you do to promote the sanctity of life in your community?

The Beauty and Blessings of Adoption

Elder Andersen highlights the beauty of adoption through a personal family story. He emphasizes that adoption can be a selfless act of love and a means to bless lives.

In our family, we have been immeasurably blessed as two decades ago, a young 16-year-old learned that she was expecting a child. She gave birth to a baby girl and allowed a righteous family to adopt her as their own.

I am so thankful for her selfless choice, that she did not choose to use her agency in a way that would take away my own.

What are the blessings associated with adoption according to Elder Andersen?
Why is adoption considered a selfless act?
How does the story of Emily's adoption impact your understanding of adoption?
What can you do to support those who are considering or have chosen adoption?

Righteous Desires and God's Timing

Elder Andersen provides comfort for those whose righteous desires, such as having children or getting married, are not yet realized. He assures them that as they remain faithful, they will receive compensating blessings in this life and their righteous desires in God's eternal timeline.

The unrealized dreams of life are difficult to understand if viewed only from the perspective of mortality.

As the Lord’s servant, I promise you that as you are faithful to Jesus Christ and your covenants, you will receive compensating blessings in this life and your righteous desires in the eternal time line of the Lord. There can be happiness in the journey of mortality even when all of our righteous hopes are not realized.

What comfort does Elder Andersen provide for those whose righteous desires are not yet realized?
What does it mean to receive compensating blessings?
How do you react when your righteous desires are not yet realized?
What can you do to remain faithful and hopeful when facing delays in the realization of your righteous desires?

The Sacred Decision to Have a Child

Elder Andersen discusses the sacred decision to have a child, which he says should be made between a husband, wife, and the Lord. He expresses concern about declining birth rates in prosperous countries and reminds us of God's commandment to multiply and replenish the earth.

God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.

When to have a child and how many children to have are private decisions to be made between a husband and wife and the Lord. With faith and prayer, these sacred decisions can be beautiful, revelatory experiences.

Why is the decision to have a child considered sacred?
What is God's commandment regarding multiplying and replenishing the earth?
How can you approach the decision to have a child with faith and prayer?
How can you support others in their decision to have children?