Study Guide for "We Are His Children"

In his talk, Elder Christophe G. Giraud-Carrier discusses the importance of seeing each other as children of God, regardless of our differences. He emphasizes that we should not judge others based on outward appearances or labels but should instead see each other through the lens of our divine origin and potential. He shares personal experiences and scriptural examples to illustrate these principles and encourages us to treat each other with love and respect.

Before Reading

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

What is the main message Elder Giraud-Carrier wants to convey in his talk?
What scriptural examples does Elder Giraud-Carrier use to illustrate his points?
How does Elder Giraud-Carrier suggest we should see and treat each other?
What personal experiences does Elder Giraud-Carrier share to illustrate his points?
How does Elder Giraud-Carrier describe the impact of labels and judgments on our relationships with others?

Topics

Understanding the Importance of Seeing Others as Children of God

Elder Giraud-Carrier begins his talk by discussing the importance of seeing others as children of God, rather than judging them based on appearances or hearsay. He uses the examples of Samuel and Ananias from the scriptures to illustrate this principle.

Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; … for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.

What did Elder Giraud-Carrier say about the importance of seeing others as children of God?
How do the examples of Samuel and Ananias illustrate this principle?
Why is it important to look beyond appearances and hearsay when judging others?
How can you apply the principle of seeing others as children of God in your own life?
Can you think of a time when you may have judged someone based on their appearance or hearsay? How could seeing them as a child of God have changed your perspective?
What steps can you take to see others more as the Lord sees them?

Recognizing the Harm of Labels and Judgments

Elder Giraud-Carrier discusses the harm that labels and judgments can cause in our relationships with others. He quotes President Russell M. Nelson on the dangers of labels and encourages us to honor each other more than we honor labels.

The adversary rejoices in labels because they divide us and restrict the way we think about ourselves and each other. How sad it is when we honor labels more than we honor each other.

Labels can lead to judging and animosity. Any abuse or prejudice toward another because of nationality, race, sexual orientation, gender, educational degrees, culture, or other significant identifiers is offensive to our Maker!

What did Elder Giraud-Carrier say about the harm of labels and judgments?
How does President Nelson's quote relate to this topic?
Why is it important to honor each other more than we honor labels?
Can you think of a time when you may have labeled or judged someone? How did it affect your relationship with them?
How can you work to eliminate labels and judgments in your interactions with others?
What steps can you take to honor others more than labels?

Embracing Our Divine Origin and Potential

Elder Giraud-Carrier emphasizes the importance of recognizing our divine origin and potential. He shares a quote from C. S. Lewis to illustrate this point and encourages us to see each other as potential gods and goddesses, rather than ordinary people.

First and foremost, as President Nelson reminded us, I am a child of God. So are you, and so are all other people around us. I pray that we may come to a greater appreciation of this wonderful truth. It changes everything!

It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship. … There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit.

What did Elder Giraud-Carrier say about our divine origin and potential?
How does the quote from C. S. Lewis illustrate this principle?
Why is it important to see each other as potential gods and goddesses?
How does recognizing your divine origin and potential change your perspective on yourself and others?
Can you think of a time when you saw someone as an ordinary person, rather than a potential god or goddess? How could this perspective have changed your interactions with them?
What steps can you take to better recognize and appreciate your divine origin and potential, as well as that of others?

Living the Gospel as the Great Equalizer

Elder Giraud-Carrier discusses the role of the gospel as the great equalizer. He shares personal experiences of living in different countries and cultures and emphasizes that the gospel brings us all together as children of God, regardless of our differences.

I have come to realize that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the great equalizer. As we truly embrace it, the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.

This amazing truth frees us, and all labels and distinctions that may otherwise afflict us and our relationships to each other are simply swallowed up in … Christ. It soon becomes clear that we, as well as others, are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.

What did Elder Giraud-Carrier say about the role of the gospel as the great equalizer?
How does the gospel help us to see each other as fellow children of God?
Why is it important to embrace the gospel in order to recognize our shared divine origin and potential?
How has the gospel served as a great equalizer in your own life?
Can you think of a time when the gospel helped you to see others as fellow children of God, despite your differences?
What steps can you take to better embrace the gospel and its role as the great equalizer?

Committing to Treat Each Other with Love and Respect

Elder Giraud-Carrier concludes his talk by encouraging us to commit to treating each other with love and respect, regardless of our differences. He shares a pledge from a Primary song to illustrate this commitment and testifies of the importance of loving others because it is the right thing to do, not because they are doing the right thing or fitting the right mold.

Jesus walked away from none. He gave his love to ev’ryone. So I will! I will!

I testify that the way we treat each other is a direct reflection of our understanding of and appreciation for the ultimate sacrifice and Atonement of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray that, like Him, we may love others because that is the right thing to do, not because they are doing the right thing or fitting the right mold.

What did Elder Giraud-Carrier say about the importance of treating each other with love and respect?
How does the pledge from the Primary song illustrate this commitment?
Why is it important to love others because it is the right thing to do, not because they are doing the right thing or fitting the right mold?
How can you apply the principle of treating each other with love and respect in your own life?
Can you think of a time when you may have treated someone differently because they were not doing the right thing or fitting the right mold? How could this principle have changed your actions?
What steps can you take to commit to treating others with love and respect, regardless of their actions or appearances?