Choosing Heavenly Father as My Mentor
Turn to God for encouragement and help in the things He has asked of you. Then, follow His example as you mentor others.
Still young, but with sky-high goals, I attended writing conference after writing conference, absorbing knowledge like a sponge. I spent sleepless nights walking my thoughts through the steps to reach the ultimate dream: publication.
When I went to my first conference alone, I took a seat among aspiring writers who had queried their manuscripts for years. I felt their questioning eyes on me. I squirmed in my seat.
Did they think I didn’t belong here?
I let my insecurity about my age push my dreams back until they began to suffocate. Then I met what everyone needs: a mentor.
I had felt like a child—in fact, I was one—but my mentor taught me that my voice was powerful and worth hearing.
The Need for a Mentor
At times, it’s easy for us as young adults to feel helpless in navigating an adult’s world. But those we trust can help us escape that mindset.
One person can do that better than anyone. He is a mentor for each of us. He knows us and our potential better than we do. Not only that, but He promises to help us when we are lacking. He is our Father in Heaven.
The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah expressed the same feeling of helplessness. When tasked with preaching to the wicked, he cried, “Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child” (Jeremiah 1:6). He didn’t believe he would know what to say or that others would listen.
Like earthly mentors, God gave Jeremiah guidance in his task. Jeremiah became a great prophet because of it.
God has been my mentor too. For one of my assignments as a service missionary, I greeted people who came to the RootsTech conference in Salt Lake City. As time went on, I began to feel inadequate. Was I helping anyone? At that moment, I felt a wave of God’s love. I knew I was exactly where He needed me. God helped me see my worth and purpose in a moment when I couldn’t.
Heavenly Father Teaches That You Are Worthy
When we choose God as our mentor,1 we learn that He knows us deeply and has prepared us for this life. He taught Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). The task Jeremiah feared was one that God had foreordained him for. That guidance helped Jeremiah have confidence to move forward.
Premortal-existence preparation doesn’t only apply to prophets. President James E. Faust (1920–2007) said: “Before we came to this earth, we may have been fashioned to do some small good in this life that no one else can do. … If God has a work for those with many talents, I believe he also has an important work for those of us who have few.”2
If you feel talentless or purposeless, ask God what He has prepared you for. Then, let Him teach you through the Spirit that you are worthy of your tasks, callings, and assignments.
Heavenly Father Strengthens You
After God told Jeremiah of his divine potential and worth, He promised to help him:
“I have made thee this day a defenced city. …
“… They shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee” (Jeremiah 1:18–19).
I have felt God beside me, mentoring me as I have asked for His help in the tasks He has given to me. God doesn’t leave us to do the work He has called us to do alone. Mortal mentors walk us through the first steps of our journey. In the same way, God promises to be with us. He will help us gain confidence and act with power.
Heavenly Father Is a Model for Us
In any workplace, employees who are mentored often become mentors themselves to guide new employees. They use the skills they’ve seen their mentor use to help others along the same path.
When we choose God as our mentor, we start emulating Him, becoming more equipped to encourage those we mentor. We can help others see their own divine potential and support them as God would.
Accepting God as our mentor and following His pattern for being the perfect mentor will help us become more like Him as we help others along the way—just like He does.