4 The Spirit of God hath made me,
and the breath of the Almighty hath
given me life.
Growing up in the Church, in the young women’s program, I always struggled to understand what divine nature was and how it applied to me. This value was something I didn’t pay much attention to, until recently. In the General Women’s session of General Conference in October of 2015, Sister Rosemary M. Wixom gave a talk called, ‘Discovering the Divinity Within.’
I wasn’t praying at all for understanding of divine nature this past General Conference, but it popped out at me anyway. Sister Wixom explains, “The divine nature within each one of us is refined and magnified by the effort we make to draw nearer to our Father and His Son.” To me, that’s a great way to explain exactly what divine nature is. The effort we make consists of: scripture study, praying morning and night, attending our church meetings, partaking of the Sacrament, attending the Temple, serving others and expressing our love. There are many more things we could definitely add to that list!
But what really got me to understand what divine nature is and how it applies to me, is the following statement: Sister Wixom says, “Looking out through a window, not just into a mirror, allows us to see ourselves as His.” —There is something special and different about us. There is something sacred and powerful within us. It is the very fact that we are direct children of God. He is our Father, and as we draw close to Him and see ourselves the way He sees us, our divine nature becomes clearer.
So, we have divine nature. Big deal right? Absolutely. Sister Wixom shares, “Divine nature breathes into us the desire to know these eternal truths for ourselves.” We have the light of Christ within us. We have a Spirit, created by a loving Father in Heaven, that encourages us to know of these things. It encourages us to know that we are loved by a Father in Heaven, and that He lives. It encourages us to serve others, and read the scriptures faithfully. It encourages us to follow the prophet, to sustain him, and express gratitude for our leadership in prayer. Divine nature is so much more than a young women value, with tasks to check off for a medallion. We carry divine nature with us throughout our entire lives.
“Because you are His child, you not only need Him, but He also needs you.” We shouldn’t have to live and breathe without a God; a Father in Heaven. We shouldn’t have to live and breathe without knowledge and the Spirit of our divine nature, and where we come from, why we’re here and where we’re going. Our Heavenly Father needs us to help guide our brothers and sisters home. He needs us to bear our testimony and share our favorite General Conference talks via social media.
It’s a hard and tough world out there, but we need not be afraid. We are children of our Heavenly Father. He loves us, and we love Him. I know that my divine nature goes far beyond young women’s and it is something special. Something that I should ponder about often, and express my gratitude for daily. I’m grateful that my Father in Heaven has instilled in me the ability to feel connected with Him, in such a way that I do not go throughout this life pondering my purpose, and my worth.
What I’m trying to say sisters is that our divine nature is real; and it’s important. We are loved, wanted, needed and appreciated. We are special and we have a purpose in this plan. It isn’t all about the Priesthood. There are many, many things within this Church and the gospel of Jesus Christ that can only survive with our efforts.
We love you dear sisters.
I’m a mormon, wife, photographer, digital media major, blogger and creative entrepreneur. I love to read books, go hiking, drink hot-chocolate and watch movies. I also enjoy coloring, pedicures and sunshine!
The knowledge of good and evil that came upon Adam and Eve when they ate the forbidden fruit in the garden is the awareness of one other’s personal experience.
It leads to both Pride and Shame.
And both Pride and Shame cause and are sin.
Sin is the resultant separation from our own divine nature that arises when we compare ourselves and our own experiences to others experiences instead of living in our own divine, authentic and whole self without judgement of either ourselves or others.
Good morning!