Our Identity as Children of God

Our identity as literal spirit children of a loving Father in Heaven is one of the principles of the gospel that has had the most impact on my life. I grew up knowing that I was a daughter of God and that knowledge drastically impacted the decisions I made a how I got to where I am today.

When I fully understand that everyone around me is my spirit brother and sister, it changes how I look at them. As I remember their identity, I find myself judging less and loving more. Even though some of them may be heading down a path that is not what our Father in Heaven would want, I have to remember that at some point, they too understood their identity. No matter the choices that they are making, God loves them just as much as He loves me – they are His children.

Knowing of our identity also makes me want to share the gospel more. How loved I feel knowing that I am a daughter of God – I want others to feel of that love as well! It is heartbreaking to see others walking the Earth without knowledge of their divine identity and the great potential they hold. It is our duty as members of the Church to lead our Father’s other children to the light and help them embrace the wonderful people that they are destined to be. I am so happy to know that I am a child of a loving Father in Heaven. He loves me and He knows me personally. He knows what I want and what I need and He is always standing by to help – I need only keep His commandments and ask for His assistance.

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We must never forget that we are God’s literal spirit children. We were His children before we came to this world, and we will be His children forevermore. This basic truth should change the way we look at ourselves, our brothers and sisters, and life itself.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Four Titles, April 2013 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/four-titles?lang=eng

Russell M. Nelson, Catch the Wave, April 2013 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/catch-the-wave?lang=eng

I do not believe in a God who would set up rules and commandments only to wait for use to fail so He could punish us. I believe in a Heavenly Father who is loving and caring and who rejoices in our every effort to stand tall and walk toward Him. Even when we stumble, He urges us not to be discouraged – never to give up or flee our allotted field of service – but to take courage, find our faith, and keep trying.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Four Titles," April 2013 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/the-hope-of-gods-light?lang=eng

As the literal spirit children of our loving Heavenly Father, we have unlimited, divine potential. But if we are not careful, we can... drift away from the true doctrine and gospel of Christ and become spiritually undernourished and wilted, having removed ourselves from the divine light and living waters of the Savior's eternal love and priesthood power.
M. Russell Ballard, "This is My Work and Glory," April 2013 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/this-is-my-work-and-glory?lang=eng

Heavenly Father’s interest in you does not depend on how rich or beautiful or healthy or smart you are. He sees you not as the world sees you; He sees who you really are. He looks on your heart. And He loves you because you are His child.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Your Wonderful Journey Home, March 2013 General Young Women’s Meeting, http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-young-women-meeting/2013/03/your-wonderful-journey-home?lang=eng

It can be discouraging at times to know what it means to be a [child] of God and yet come up short. The adversary likes to take advantage of these feelings. Satan would rather that you define yourself by your sins instead of your divine potential... don't listen to him.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Four Titles," April 2013 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/the-hope-of-gods-light?lang=eng 

The eternal truth that our Heavenly Father loves all his children is an immensely powerful idea. It is especially powerful when children can visualize it through the love and sacrifice of their earthly parents.

Dallin H. Oaks, Powerful Ideas, October 1995 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/powerful-ideas?lang=eng

Others may mock and ridicule those who believe in a loving God. But consider this: though they do not remember, they too at one time yearned to return to their Father in Heaven.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Your Wonderful Journey Home, March 2013 General Young Women’s Meeting, http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-young-women-meeting/2013/03/your-wonderful-journey-home?lang=eng

Russell M. Nelson, We Are Children of God, October 1998 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1998/10/we-are-children-of-god?lang=eng

What could inspire one to purity and worthiness more than to possess a spiritual confirmation that we are children of God? What could inspire a more lofty regard for oneself, or engender more love for mankind?

Boyd K. Packer, The Pattern of Our Parentage, October 1984 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1984/10/the-pattern-of-our-parentage?lang=eng

Establish in the mind of a young person the powerful idea that he or she is a child of God and you have given self-respect and motivation to move against the problems of life.

Dallin H. Oaks, Powerful Ideas, October 1995 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/powerful-ideas?lang=eng

One of the nation's leading pollsters... has identified... the basic needs of people in the United States. These needs are self-esteem, peace of mind, and personal contentment. I believe these are needs of God's children everywhere. How can these needs be satisfied? I suggest that behind each of these is the requirement to establish one's own personal identity as the offspring of God.

James E. Faust, Heirs to the Kingdom of God, April 1995 General Conference, http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/04/heirs-to-the-kingdom-of-god?lang=eng