“Lesson 3 Class Preparation Material: Our Divine Nature and Destiny,” The Eternal Family Teacher Material (2022)
“Lesson 3 Class Preparation Material,” The Eternal Family Teacher Material
Lesson 3 Class Preparation Material
Our Divine Nature and Destiny
Some of the most important questions we have in life relate to our origin and destiny—who we truly are and what our potential is. As you study this lesson, consider how you treat yourself and how you treat others. How might this change if you always remembered your divine nature and destiny?
Section 1
Who am I?
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 40). The scriptures offer a powerful testimony of who God is and what our relationship is with Him.
Study in Preparation for Class
Read Acts 17:29, Hebrews 12:9, and 1 John 3:2, looking for who God is and what we can learn about our relationship with Him.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, taught this about our relationship with God:
We are created by the Almighty God. He is our Heavenly Father. We are literally His spirit children. We are made of supernal material most precious and highly refined, and thus we carry within ourselves the substance of divinity.
Here on earth, however, our thoughts and actions become encumbered with that which is corrupt, unholy, and impure. The dust and filth of the world stain our souls, making it difficult to recognize and remember our birthright and purpose.
But all this cannot change who we truly are. The fundamental divinity of our nature remains. (“He Will Place You on His Shoulders and Carry You Home,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 104)
Watch the video “Your True Identity” (0:29), and think about who you are and where you came from.
Prophets and apostles have affirmed that “all human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Consider how the following teachings can add to your understanding of your heavenly parents:
All men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity. …
Man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father, prior to coming upon the earth in a temporal [physical] body. (“Gospel Classics: The Origin of Man,” Ensign, Feb. 2002, 29, 30)
President Harold B. Lee stated, “We forget that we have a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother who are even more concerned, probably, than our earthly father and mother, and that influences from beyond are constantly working to try to help us when we do all we can” [Harold B. Lee, “The Influence and Responsibility of Women,” Relief Society Magazine, Feb. 1964, 85]. (Gospel Topics, “Mother in Heaven,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles also taught, “First and foremost, you are and always will be a spirit child of God” (“Children of Heavenly Father” [Brigham Young University devotional, Mar. 3, 2020], 2, speeches.byu.edu). President Uchtdorf taught that the truth that we are God’s literal spirit children “should change the way we look at ourselves, our brothers and sisters, and life itself” (“Four Titles,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 58).
Record Your Thoughts
In a notebook or note-taking app, answer one or more of the following questions:
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How can understanding our divine nature affect how we treat ourselves and others? When have you had an experience where you have been able to look past someone’s offensive behavior or attitude and see their divine nature?
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What are some examples from the Savior’s life that show He understood others’ divine nature? In what ways might you better emulate Him in the way you treat others?
Be prepared to share some of your thoughts in class.
Section 2
What difference can it make to know I am a child of God?
Consider the following statement by Sister Michelle D. Craig, a counselor in the Young Women General Presidency:
The more you understand your true identity and purpose, soul deep, the more it will influence everything in your life. (“Eyes to See,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 16)
An experience Moses had after talking with God face to face and learning of his divine nature illustrates the power this knowledge can have for us.
Study in Preparation for Class
Read Moses 1:3–6, 12–16, looking for how Moses was empowered by embracing his divine nature.
Moses overcomes Satan’s temptations
Ponder in Preparation for Class
Think carefully about how understanding your divine parentage and nature has helped you resist the lies and temptations of the adversary.
Section 3
What is my divine destiny?
Consider how much you have learned and grown in the past 10 years. As a son or daughter of heavenly parents, you have an incredible capacity for growth. In fact, you have a divine destiny. (See “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org.)
Study in Preparation for Class
Read Romans 8:16–17, looking for what the Apostle Paul taught about our divine destiny.
A joint-heir is someone who receives an equal inheritance with other heirs. As the firstborn and only perfect Son of Heavenly Father, it is the right of Jesus Christ to inherit all that the Father has. Those who are obedient and receive the full blessings of the Savior’s Atonement will also inherit all that the Father has (see Romans 8:14–18; Galatians 3:26–29; Doctrine and Covenants 93:21–22). This means all of us have the potential to become like our Heavenly Father.
President Russell M. Nelson helped clarify what our divine destiny means:
We are to prepare for our own divine destiny—glory, immortality, and eternal lives. These supernal blessings can all be ours, through our faithfulness. (“The Creation,” Ensign, May 2000, 86)
In upcoming lessons, you will learn more about how Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to reach our divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. As President Uchtdorf taught, this is done one step at a time:
We have all seen a toddler learn to walk. He takes a small step and totters. He falls. Do we scold such an attempt? Of course not. What father would punish a toddler for stumbling? We encourage, we applaud, and we praise because with every small step, the child is becoming more like his parents.
… Compared to the perfection of God, we mortals are scarcely more than awkward, faltering toddlers. But our loving Heavenly Father wants us to become more like Him, and … that should be our eternal goal too. God understands that we get there not in an instant but by taking one step at a time. (“Four Titles,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 58)
Ponder in Preparation for Class
How does President Uchtdorf’s statement change how you see your faltering, toddler-like steps? In what ways can you invite the Lord to help you continue to move forward?