“God’s Plan of Happiness and Your Divine Destiny,” For the Strength of Youth, Jan. 2022.
God’s Plan of Happiness and Your Divine Destiny
Understanding and living according to the plan of happiness allows you to reach your divine destiny.
Illustrations by Albert Espí
What comes to mind when you hear the word destiny? Do you think of something predetermined and unavoidable? Something horrible or wonderful that cannot be changed no matter what you do? Or maybe you think of the hero in a movie or book, who was destined to complete the quest, save the world, or become the king or queen?
Dictionaries may agree with those interpretations; however, when we speak of divine destiny, we mean something different. Unlike the destiny you read about in books or see in movies, achieving your divine destiny is possible because you are a child of God, but it also requires you to use your agency.
God has all power in heaven and in earth. The covenants we make with our Heavenly Father allow Him to be our partner as we walk through the storms of life. Our divine destiny—our potential when we partner with God—is made possible through His plan of happiness.
Understanding Heavenly Father’s plan for your happiness will allow you to recognize your eternal identity and purpose. And choosing to make and keep covenants with God will allow you to achieve that purpose.
In the book of Moses we read that “Moses was caught up into an exceedingly high mountain, and he saw God face to face, and he talked with him” (Moses 1:1–2). Through this personal visitation, God taught Moses about his eternal identity. Though Moses was mortal and imperfect, he learned something important about himself: he was indeed a son of God (see Moses 1:6).
Remember Who You Are
Satan wants you to forget who you are. When Satan tried to dissuade Moses from the work the Lord prepared for him, Moses courageously responded, “Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God” (Moses 1:13; emphasis added). Moses then declared, “Get thee hence, Satan; deceive me not” (Moses 1:16; emphasis added).
In other words, Moses said: “You cannot deceive me, because I know who I am. You don’t have God’s light and glory. So why should I worship you or believe your lies?”
Never forget that God loves you and desires to help and bless you. He has a divine interest in you personally as one of His children. Please take the time to learn what it truly means to be a child of God. Then set goals and make choices that will help you to live up to that knowledge every day.
I Have a Work for Thee
You have many pressing issues and concerns. You have schoolwork, friendships, family responsibilities, and maybe even a job. Of course, your challenge is to balance all these important roles without forgetting your main purpose in life. God has a work for you to accomplish (see Moses 1:6). It is the answer to the question “Why am I here on earth?”
As a child of God, you came to earth to receive a physical body. With your body, you can choose to faithfully follow Jesus Christ. You can choose to obey God’s commandments, receive holy ordinances, and make and keep gospel covenants. Doing these things will prepare you to fulfill your divine destiny.
With this purpose clearly in mind, you can see the importance of taking the sacrament each week, studying the scriptures, praying daily, setting worthwhile goals, and serving others. These things help remind you of why you are really here, and they will help you to be worthy to receive the personal revelation that you need to be happy and remain on the covenant path. As you repent and diligently follow the Lord, you will receive personal direction in every aspect of your life.
Strive to Become Who You Are Meant to Be
The cares and concerns of the world, or your own insecurities, may cause you to lose sight of your important role in God’s great plan of salvation. If this happens, I invite you to come unto Christ (see Moroni 10:32). Nothing in God’s eternal plan is possible without Him, and with Him, every good thing is within reach.
Striving to follow the Savior is the best way to keep a gospel perspective. With faith and hope in Him, you can confidently face the challenges of life. You will also have greater clarity as you make choices, solve problems, work toward righteous goals, and face temptations.
Your decisions will affect eternity. Through Jesus Christ and His atoning grace, you can have joy in this life and in the next. You can realize your divine destiny of receiving all He has and living the kind of life He leads, which is “eternal life, … the greatest of all the gifts of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7).