My husband and his sister have another brother and sister, twins, that they never knew. They had been given for adoption at birth.The sister hired a private detective to find her birth mother who courageously gave the detective permission to allow herself to be contacted. Our family and this new sister were all amazed at the similarities in body build, personality, and mannerisms that were apparent in spite of sharing only one biological parent and being raised on opposite sides of the country. From the moment we met her it felt comfortable. Like she belonged to us and we to her. She sent us a picture of her twin brother. This man that we had not yet met looked so much like my husband that it was eerie.
As I thought of the family traits we inherit from our earthly parents, I couldn't help but think of my own children. Children that my husband and I care for, nuture, teach, and lead, anxious that they are given all that they need to be successful in the world before they leave home to start families of their own. That I want to reach their full potential. That I love more than my own life. Like my heart is walking outside of my body. Children that I want to have near me always.....Eternally.
It is fascinating to watch them grow and change, at times resembling one parent more strongly than the other but always a combination of both of us. I remember when my boys came to the hospital to meet their new brother for the first time. As you can see from the picture, they arrived looking almost exactly like their father, full of mischief and fun, ready for adventure at a moments notice.
There is a pattern here. Beginning in a time and place we don't remember. A heavenly family with a heavenly father and mother. Our family.
We look like them
Children who were created in the image of God
We can be like them
Inheriting a divine rather than a human nature and destiny.
They love us with a love beyond our comprehension
Their greatest desire is for us to reach our potential and to come home. To be near them always... Eternally.
We don't remember. How do we get there?
Our heavenly parents wanted to make sure we were given all that we needed to be successful in the world before we left home to form earthly families of our own. We needed someone to care for, nuture, teach, and lead us. To help us reach our potential. To show us the way.
In Abraham chapter 3 we read of one who stood among us in the pre-existence, "who was like unto God." Our oldest brother. And when the Lord said: "Whom shall I send?" he answered, "Here am I, send me."
Jesus Christ. Whom John called 'the Word.' Also known as 'the Way, the Truth, and the Life'.
The Way.
How is it that one who had inherited both human and divine characteristics and who was subjest to all the same human afflictions as we are could lead us so perfectly?
Brigham Young told us "....we believe that Jesus Christ is our elder brother - that he is actually the Son of our Father and that he is the Savior of the world, and was appointed to this before the foundations of this earth were laid."
He was "like unto God," and He was called.
This was his individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose. (Family Proclamation, paragraph 2) We have this too. Callings to fulfill specific to our individual and eternal identities as daughters of God. To help us reach our potential. Purpose. A reason to be here.
Our heavenly parents wanted to make sure that we would know exactly who to follow on our journey back to them. That it would be very clear who would lead us. That we would find the Way.
We were given the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the very beginning. To let us know Christ was coming. And now, to let us know He had been here. To tell us He would be coming back.
The apostle Bruce R. McConkie taught, "And everything that has been given in the gospel and everything that has been in any way connected with it has been designed for the express purpose of bearing record of Christ and certifying as to his divine mission..."
Such as?
Each of the sacrament prayers asks twice that we remember Him.
"We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in his Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
(1st Article of Faith)
"The first principles and ordinances of the gospel are, first faith in the Lord Jesus Christ....
(4th Article of Faith)
The first great commandment tells us we must love Him above all else.
And, of course, there is the Book of Mormon. One of the most precious gifts of the restoration. A second witness, with the Holy Bible, that Jesus is the Christ. That He is the Way.
Why do we need another witness? Why do we need the four testimonies of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? Why is that every prophet that has ever lived, both ancient and modern, have to tell us the same thing again, and again, and again?
Because like our own children, we forget. We don't always listen. We have to be told more than once. Reminded again. And again.
It seems that these simple truths are often best taught through the words of the Children's primary songs like this one:
He Sent His Son
How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness?
He sent his Son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness.
How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go?
He sent his Son to walk with men on earth, that we may know.
How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death?
He sent his Son to die for us and rise with living breath.
What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say?
Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way.
What does he ask? Live like his Son.
Posted by Sister Montgomery
Family Home Evening Ideas
Learn the song 'He Sent His Son.' Talk about what the words mean.
Read "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles." There is a link on the sidebar of the home page where the January schedule is. Use pictures to represent the different parts as it is read, such as a picture of the earth or the creation, baptism of Jesus, Jesus healing someone, etc.
Read about the pre-existence and the creation in Abraham 3:22-28 and then read the Family Proclamation. Talk about individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose. And/or talk about what the responsibilities of mothers, fathers, and children are in families. Compare what the gospel teaches us about these things compared to the world.
Read a talk from the most recent conference about the Savior such as "I Know it. I Live it. I Love it." by Ann M. Dibbs. Make T-shirts! Use her words or others such as 'Faith.' All or part of a favorite scripture maybe. Or decorate cookies with the words. Or make artwork with the words to hang up at home.
Family Home Evening Ideas
Learn the song 'He Sent His Son.' Talk about what the words mean.
Read "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles." There is a link on the sidebar of the home page where the January schedule is. Use pictures to represent the different parts as it is read, such as a picture of the earth or the creation, baptism of Jesus, Jesus healing someone, etc.
Read about the pre-existence and the creation in Abraham 3:22-28 and then read the Family Proclamation. Talk about individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose. And/or talk about what the responsibilities of mothers, fathers, and children are in families. Compare what the gospel teaches us about these things compared to the world.
Read a talk from the most recent conference about the Savior such as "I Know it. I Live it. I Love it." by Ann M. Dibbs. Make T-shirts! Use her words or others such as 'Faith.' All or part of a favorite scripture maybe. Or decorate cookies with the words. Or make artwork with the words to hang up at home.
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