DIVINE AS CHRIST
What is my relationship
to the Savior? What divine qualities do I also possess?
Psalms 82:6
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Acts 17:29
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Moses 1:4, 7, 13
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Galatians 3:26
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Romans 8:16
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D&C 46:26
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2 Peter 1:4-11
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Alma 7:23-24
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D&C 121:45-46
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Family Proclamation
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Many of
the following quotes are taken from the book “Strengthening Our Families: An In Depth Look at the Proclamation on the
Family” Edited by David C Dollahite for the School of Family Life, BYU,
2000. Footnotes will only cite the title of the book.
DIVINE AS CHRIST QUOTES
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES
D&C 18:10-13
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The worth of souls is great
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Psalm 8:4-6
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Man is given dominion over the works of
God’s hands
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Jeremiah 1:5
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God knew us before we were born
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John 13:34; 15:12
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Love is an attribute of Christ
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Abraham 3:22-23
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Matthew 5:9
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Peacemakers are the children of God
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Galatians 5:22-23
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Fruits of the Spirit are divine
attributes
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Colossians 3:12-17
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God’s elect develop godlike attributes
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D&C 38:27
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Working in harmony (unity) is a divine
attribute
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HUMAN BEINGS ARE THE OFFSPRING OF GOD
“If we take man, he is said to have been made in the image of God, for
the simple reason that he is a son of God; and being His son, he is, of course,
His offspring, an emanation from God, in whose likeness, we are told, he is
made. He did not originate from a chaotic mass of matter, moving or inert, but
came forth possessing, in an embryotic state, all the faculties and powers of a
God. And when he shall be perfected, and have progressed to maturity, he will
be like his Father, - a God; being indeed His offspring.”[1]
“An intelligent being, in the
image of God, possesses every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, of
will, wisdom, love, power and gift, which is possessed by God himself. But
these are possessed by man in his rudimental state in a subordinate sense of
the word. Or, in other words, these attributes are in embryo, and are to be
gradually developed. They resemble a bud, a germ, which gradually develops into
bloom, and then, by progress, produces the mature fruit after its own kind.”[2]
“No greater ideal has been revealed than the supernal truth that we are
the children of God, and we differ, by virtue of our creation, from all other
living things[3].
No Idea has been more destructive of
happiness, no philosophy has produced more sorrow, more heartbreak and
mischief; no idea has done more to destroy the family than the idea that we are
not the offspring of God, only advanced animals, compelled to yield to every
carnal urge.”[4]
“Recognizing that we are literal sons and daughters of heavenly parents
is one of the most sacred truths we can know. Knowing this truth has a profound
impact on how we regard ourselves and others as well as on how we choose to
live… Gaining a testimony that we are literal sons and daughters of God is
essential to truly understanding our divine nature and potential. It is both
humbling and inspiring to have a testimony that our divine heritage is real and
our divine nature is eternal.”[5]
“God truly is our Father, the Father of the spirits of all mankind. We
are his literal offspring and are formed in his image. We have inherited divine
characteristics from him. Knowing our relationship to our Heavenly Father helps
us understand the divine nature that is in us and our potential.”[6]
“I want you to be proud you are a woman. I want you to feel the reality
of what that means, to know who you truly are. You are literally a spirit
daughter of heavenly parents with a divine nature and an eternal destiny.”[7]
“I have inherited divine qualities, which I will strive to develop.”[8]
“It is not asking too much…, to
take a few minutes of each day to speak with your Father in Heaven when you
know that you are a child of God. If you really know that you are a child of
God, you will also know that He expects much of you, His child. He will expect
you to follow His teachings and the teachings of His dear Son, Jesus. He will
expect you to be generous and kind to others. He will be offended if you swear
or use foul language. He will be offended if you are dishonest in any way, if
you should cheat or steal in the slightest. He will be happy if you remember
the less fortunate in your prayers to Him. He will watch over you and guide you
and protect you… He will bless you in your home, and you will be a better [man
or woman].”[9]
THE SACREDNESS OF THE PHYSICAL BODY
“That which is without body, parts and passions is nothing… We came to
this earth that we might have a body and present it pure before God in the
celestial kingdom. The great principle of happiness consists in having a body.
The devil has no body, and herein is his punishment… All beings who have bodies
have power over those who have not. The devil has no power over us only as we
permit him. The moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil
takes power.”[10]
“One of the main purposes of the Proclamation is to teach the divine
nature and eternal destiny of each of God’s children and that having a body is
one of our greatest blessings. The body is an ally for the spirit, a means of
advancing the spirit. Human life is sacred, meaning all of human life – spirit
and body. Jesus died do that we might live forever with our spirit and body
together. And knowing the sacredness of our whole soul – spirit and body – is
crucial to understanding our true, divine nature. Knowing we are like Jesus
Christ, by nature, and that we are His – for He has bought us with a price[11]
- will greatly motivate us to want to be like Him and to realize our divine
destiny.”[12]
“Understanding the sacredness of the body gives further insight into the
reality of the divine nature of human beings… Understanding this doctrine gives
us a deeper sense of the significance of the body as a temple. Just as temple
ordinances are a necessity to exaltation, so is the body… We should reverence
our bodies and be grateful for who we are as we have been created. There is
tremendous power in having a body… Because we are embodied we have power over
Satan and his hosts. We are more like Heavenly Father now that we are embodied.
Our bodies are evidence of our eternal progression, of our love for the Savior,
of our commitment to that which is right and true.”[13]
“Nothing should be held in greater sacredness and honor than the
covenant by which the spirits of men, the offspring of God in the spirit, are
privileged to come into this world in mortal tabernacles. It is through this
principle that the blessing of immortal glory is made possible. The importance
of these mortal tabernacles is apparent from the knowledge we have of eternal
life. Spirits cannot be made perfect without a body of flesh and bones. This
body and its spirit are brought to immortality and blessings of salvation
through the resurrection. After the resurrection there can be no separation
again; body and spirit become inseparably connected that man may receive a
fullness of joy. In no other way, other than through birth into this life and
the resurrection, can spirits become like our Eternal Father.”[14]
THE WORTH OF EACH SOUL
“I am of infinite worth with my own divine mission, which I will strive
to fulfill.”[15]
“Because of the eternal heritage and destiny of each individual,
denying or ignoring the worth of any soul contradicts the work and glory of
Christ which is ‘to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man’[16].
The worth of each individual is the same as every other individual… [and] is a
divine given. It is an inherent aspect of each life. Worth is constant and
unchanging. Recognizing our great worth is the sight of God is humbling and, in
fact, is just the opposite of pride.”[17]
“Humility is not the disavowal of our worth; rather it is the sober
realization of how much we are valued by God.”[18]
“Understanding our value to God and valuing ourselves is pertinent to
our progress toward exaltation.”[19]
“We can also come to know, through obedience, how much God loves us as
his immortal children. If we can get that witness for ourselves that we are his
and that he loves us, then we can cope with and endure well whatever comes in
the varied tactical situations of life.”[20]
CHRIST OUR REDEEMER
“As we have reverence for our divine identity, we will love our Creator
and His creations more deeply… Our natures are holy, and eternal life is our
destiny. In all of the grandeur of God’s creations, men and women are supreme.”[21]
“What is man in this boundless setting of sublime splendor? I answer
you: Potentially now, actually to be, he is greater and grander, more precious
in the arithmetic of God, than all the planets and suns of space. For him were
they created; they are the handiwork of God; man is his son. In this world man
is given dominion over a few things. It is his privilege to achieve supremacy
over many things.”[22]
“Only as we understand God, can we understand who we really are and our
divine nature. Gaining a testimony of these truths will help us truly
appreciate the profound message of the Proclamation which testifies that each
of us ‘is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents’[23].”[24]
“Jesus Christ has commanded us to be perfect, and He shed His blood to
provide us the opportunity to claim our divine destiny.”[25]
“The virtues outlined by Peter are part of the divine nature, or the
Savior’s character. These are the virtues we are to emulate if we would be more
like Him.”[26]
“He possesses all the attributes of the divine nature of God. He is
virtuous, patient, kind, long-suffering, gentle, meek, and charitable. If we
are weak or deficient in any of these qualities, He stands willing to
strengthen and compensate.”[27]
UNDERSTANING
OUR DIVINE NATURE
“There is something of divinity within each of you. You have such tremendous
potential with that quality as a part of your inherited nature. Every one of
you was endowed by your Father in Heaven with a tremendous capacity to do good
in the world. Train your minds and your hands that you may be equipped to serve
well in the society of which you are a part. Cultivate the art of being kind,
of being thoughtful, of being helpful. Refine within you the quality of mercy
which comes as a part of the divine attributes you have inherited” [28]
“A conviction that you are a daughter of God gives you a feeling of
comfort in your self-worth. It means that you can find strength in the balm of
Christ. It will help you meet the heartaches and challenges with faith and
serenity. … A woman can and must have an identity and feel useful, valued, and
needed whether she is single or married. She must feel that she can do
something for someone else that no one else ever born can do”[29]
“How you deal with life’s trials is part of the development of your
faith. Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an
inheritance of infinite worth.”[30]
“Women by divine nature have the greater gift and responsibility for
home and children and nurturing there and in other settings.”[31]
“Service makes us strong in our faith and useful in His kingdom.
Service gives us purpose and courage in life. It brings us closer to God and
helps us refine our divine nature. It teaches us to love and understand our
fellowmen, and it helps us forget about our personal desires, eliminating
selfishness, pride, and ingratitude. It teaches us to think of the needs of
others, which allows us to develop the virtues that the Savior possesses.”[32]
“The women in our lives are creatures endowed with particular
qualities, divine qualities, which cause them to reach out in kindness and with
love to those about them. We can encourage that outreach if we will give them
opportunity to give expression to the talents and impulses that lie within
them. In our old age my beloved companion said to me quietly one evening, ‘You
have always given me wings to fly, and I have loved you for it.’”[33]
EXPLORING OUR DIVINE NATURE AND INDIVIDUAL WORTH
The following are taken from the Personal Progress booklet and adapted
to this application.
·
List the divine qualities of a daughter of God
found in the scriptures listed. Think about how you can discover and develop
each of these qualities and record your ideas below.
·
For two weeks make a special effort to
strengthen others by showing love through your actions. Refrain from judging,
criticizing, or speaking unkindly. Watch for positive qualities in others and
find ways to express your appreciation and admiration for those qualities.
·
Do something every day to recognize and further
develop your divine qualities that help you to always remember the Lord Jesus
Christ. Record your experiences.
·
Learn the definition of the word peacemaker. Learn more about it in the
scriptures. Pray each morning and evening to Heavenly Father for help in
becoming a better peacemaker. Record what habits you want to develop and how
being a peacemaker is part of your divine nature. Commit to being a peacemaker
at all times.
·
Reread your patriarchal blessing. Ponder how it
teaches you of your worth and divine identity. Record your thoughts.
·
When you participate in family history, you come
to understand your identity and individual worth. Learn as much as possible
about your ancestors. Prepare your own life history which you can pass on to
your descendants to help them know you better.
·
Visit and serve in the temple often.
·
Ponder the divine spiritual gifts you have been
given and that you have developed. What gifts might you yet wish to develop?
Make a plan to continue to develop those gifts
DIVINE AS CHRIST - ADDITIONAL NOTES
[1]
John
Taylor (1882) The mediation
and atonement (Salt Lake City: Deseret News) Quoted in “Strengthening Our
Families: An In Depth Look at the Proclamation on the Family”
[2] Parley
P Pratt as quoted in James E Talmage, The Articles of Faith. Also quoted in
“Strengthening Our Families: An In Depth Look at the Proclamation on the
Family”, p. 218
[3] Moses 6:8-10, 22, 59
[4] Boyd K
Packer, Our Moral Environment, Ensign, May 1992
[5]
“Strengthening Our Families: An In Depth
Look at the Proclamation on the Family” p. 218
[6]
Joseph B Wirthlin, Fruits of the
Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, Ensign, November 1991
[7]
Jeffrey R Holland, To Young Women,
Ensign, November 2005
[8]
Personal Progress, 21
[9]
Gordon B Hinckley, You Are a Child
of God, Ensign, May 2003
[10]
Joseph Smith, as quoted in “Strengthening Our Families: An In Depth Look
at the Proclamation on the Family”, 219
[11]
1 Corinthians 6:20
[12]
“Strengthening Our Families: An In Depth
Look at the Proclamation on the Family”, p. 219
[13]
“Strengthening Our Families: An In Depth
Look at the Proclamation on the Family”, p. 218-219
[14]
Joseph Fielding Smith, Conference
Report, October, 1965, 27-28
[15]
Personal Progress, 29
[16]
Moses 1:39
[17]
“Strengthening Our Families: An In Depth
Look at the Proclamation on the Family”, p. 221
[18]
Neal A Maxwell, All these things hall give thee experience, as quoted in “Strengthening Our Families: An In Depth Look
at the Proclamation on the Family”, p. 221
[19]
“Strengthening Our Families: An In Depth
Look at the Proclamation on the Family”, p. 222
[20]
Neal A Maxwell, The Pathway of
Discipleship, Ensign, September 1998
[21]
“Strengthening Our Families: An In Depth
Look at the Proclamation on the Family”, p. 222-223
[22]
James E Talmage, as quoted by Hugh B
Brown in Conference Report, April 1965
[23]
The Family: A Proclamation to the World, paragraph 2
[24]
“Strengthening Our Families: An In Depth
Look at the Proclamation on the Family”, p. 223
[25]
“Strengthening Our Families: An In Depth
Look at the Proclamation on the Family”, p. 225
[26]
Ezra Taft Benson, Godly
Characteristics of the Master, Ensign, November 1986
[27]
Ezra Taft Benson, Jesus Christ: Our
Savior and Redeemer, Ensign, November 1983
[28]
Gordon B Hinckley, “The Light within
You,” Ensign, May 1995, 99
[29]
James E Faust, “What It Means to Be
a Daughter of God,” Liahona, Jan. 2000, 123–24; Ensign, Nov. 1999, 102
[30]
Russell M Nelson, Face the Future
with Faith, Ensign, May 2011
[31]
Quentin L Cook, LDS Women are
Incredible!, Ensign, May 2011
[32]
Carlos H Amado, Service, A Divine
Quality, Ensign, May 2008
[33]
Gordon B Hinckley, The Women in Our
Lives, Ensign, November 2004
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