Church of Jesus Christ
By Jim Greer
LW contributor
In his March 3 BYU devotional, Elder M. Russell Ballard reminded us of our primary identity as children of our heavenly father. He assured us that our knowledge of this heavenly parentage brings with it a sense of immeasurable value and infinite worth. Each of us should know that we each have a divine, noble and worthy purpose. And that knowledge further enhances our love for the Lord.
Ballard testified that our savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, loves each of us. When we covenanted to follow and love him with all our heart, soul and mind, we also committed to showing that love by obeying his commandments.
The second great commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves further commits us to act and live as he does. We can rest assured that as we take upon us sacred ordinances and covenants, keep the commandments, and love our neighbor, we can become sanctified.
In the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus taught that our neighbor may be someone from a different group—even an enemy. So, loving and showing compassion for our neighbor, those from different groups, even our enemies, is no small commitment.
As believers, we are part of a larger group whose members have committed to living a saint’s life. Saints are merely disciples of Jesus, whose gospel of peace has changed hearts and minds for good. Being part of this and other inspired groups is an integral part of our identity.
Unfortunately, some “group identities” are based on false and incorrect ideologies that can harm or marginalize others. For instance, a great divide has grown between political parties. Belonging to a political party can be a good thing. And while not all belonging to the same party, we must never forget that we are all citizens or residents of the same country. For this very reason, we pray for our country, its citizens, and its leaders.
The same is true in relationships between nations and their peoples. Identifying with one’s country is appropriate. Remember, however, that we are first and foremost children of God, brothers, and sisters in God’s eternal family, all living as such in this world.
Dr. Martin Luther King dreamed of a day when people would look beyond the narrow categories that separate us. Through discrimination, racism, sexism, and other social ills, we impose false identities on others that keep us all from progressing. This can stop when we view all people as children of God, brothers, and sisters bound by a common divine heritage.
We are assured of this truth as we recall the apostle Paul’s sentiment, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”
Elder Ballard continued, “Let me assure you that the Lord is aware of you. He is concerned about you individually. He is anxious to heal any ‘wounded souls’ and to bring together each and every one of you in love and peace. We can help in the process as we love, seek forgiveness, offer forgiveness, and seek to build bridges of understanding.”
At different times in the savior’s life, he took opportunities to be alone to ponder and pray. Elder Ballard invites us to spend time alone in a quiet place to commune with our heavenly father. That is when we will receive his assurance of our divine lineage and receive personal revelation to learn how to better serve our eternal brothers and sisters.
