{You are Loved}

Have you ever looked at the night sky striped with the bright Milky Way galaxy, or finished climbing a mountain to find a breathtaking view?  Have you ever stood on the shore of the vast ocean and marveled at its size and all the life therein? In moments like these, we sometimes feel small, insignificant, unnoticed, and unimportant. The Psalmist wrote, "When I consider thy heavens, the works of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" (Psalms 8:3-4) In those moments we need to remember a few eternal truths. God is our loving Heavenly Father. He is literally the father of our spirits. We have sparks of divinity within us that He will help us to develop and become like Him. President Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency taught, "But even though man is nothing, it fills me with wonder and awe to think that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”7

And while we may look at the vast expanse of the universe and say, “What is man in comparison to the glory of creation?” God Himself said we are the reason He created the universe! His work and glory—the purpose for this magnificent universe—is to save and exalt mankind.8 In other words, the vast expanse of eternity, the glories and mysteries of infinite space and time are all built for the benefit of ordinary mortals like you and me. Our Heavenly Father created the universe that we might reach our potential as His sons and daughters. This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God. While against the backdrop of infinite creation we may appear to be nothing, we have a spark of eternal fire burning within our breast. We have the incomprehensible promise of exaltation—worlds without end—within our grasp. And it is God’s great desire to help us reach it." 

That part especially touches me. "Compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God." An infinite God who has all power, who created worlds without end, knows each one of us by name. He knows our hearts, our desires, and can see perfectly our great potential. We can reach His every goal and desire for us by relying on His Son, Jesus Christ's Atonement and love to change our hearts. Our Heavenly Father loves us each with a perfect, eternal love in spite of our shortcomings and weaknesses today and always. And with His great power if we will obey His commandments we truly can return to Him with honor, filled with love and gratitude for His mercy, goodness, and kindness. I am so grateful to know that even when we are tempted to give up on ourselves or others, His love never fails. Our Heavenly Father never gives up on anyone, and we are never beyond the reach of divine love. 

Rosemary Wixom, Primary General President taught, "Now it is time to take that beloved phrase “I am a child of God” and add the words “Therefore, what?” We are all children of God. What will do with this knowledge? How will we help others to feel and know the same truths? How does that change how you live?

With God all things are possible. We can repent. We can become better, change, and live a life patterned after the Savior Jesus Christ. This truth that God loves us and will lead us along changes everything. If you truly know who you are, there is nothing beyond your reach. I know and I testify that Heavenly Father does love us. He and our Savior Jesus Christ live. Our Heavenly Father's plan is perfect, and the center of that plan is the greatest manifestation of His love for us: the sacrifice of His Son! He saw us for who we could be, and that's why He was willing to send Christ to suffer so much agony and pain. There is no loss that won't be made up to us if we are faithful.

I am a child of God; Therefore what? Therefore, let's be faithful and true! Let's keep the commandments of God knowing His promises are always fulfilled. 

God loves you, today and always, simply for who you are now and who you can be. 

{CTR always, ETTE}