Our Divine Nature and Destiny

As part of the class devotional, consider singing a hymn like “O My Father” (Hymns, no. 292) or “I Am a Child of God” (Hymns, no. 301).

To begin class, you might invite students to share phrases from the opening hymn that taught them about God and about themselves and to share what they learned. Or you could show students a picture of your parents or someone else who positively influenced you as you grew up. Share some physical characteristics or personality traits you feel you gained from them. Ask a few students to share something they have inherited or learned from their parents or someone else.

Display on the board the following statement from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org): “All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature.”

• What stands out to you in this statement, and why? (You may want to draw from section 1 of the preparation material to help deepen students’ understanding of this truth.)

• What else have prophets helped us know about God and our relationship with Him? And what does that understanding teach us about ourselves? (You might give students a couple of minutes to review section 1 of the preparation material before they share their answers to these questions.)

• How can understanding that you are a child of God influence how you worship Him?

Depending on the size of your class, arrange students in small groups to discuss their responses to the following questions (students had the opportunity as they studied the preparation material to write some of their thoughts about one or more of these questions):

• 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?

• 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?

Review together or have a student recount the experience of Moses’s interaction with God and then with Satan as recorded in Moses 1:4–6, 12–16 (see section 2 of the preparation material).

• What can we learn from Moses’s experience? (Among other truths, students may identify the following: Understanding our divine nature can empower and protect us against the adversary.)

• Why do you think understanding our divine nature can empower us against the adversary?

• How might you help yourself remember who you are when Satan tries to convince you otherwise? (You might invite students to look to Elder Brian K. Taylor’s account referenced in the “Want More?” section of the preparation material for an example.)

Display the following statement from President Russell M. Nelson:

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President Russell M. Nelson

My first recommendation is to learn for yourselves who you really are. Ask your Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ how He feels about you and your mission here on earth. If you ask with real intent, over time the Spirit will whisper the life-changing truth to you. Record those impressions, review them often, and follow through with exactness. (“Stand as True Millennials,” Ensign, Oct. 2016, 27; Liahona, Oct. 2016, 49)

Give students several minutes to silently ponder and reflect on what the Lord would have them do to further understand their and others’ divine nature. You might encourage them to pray in private as President Nelson recommended and record, now and over time, any impressions they receive.

Add the following phrase to the statement from the family proclamation displayed on the board: “and destiny.”

Invite a student to read aloud Romans 8:16–17. Ask the class to follow along, looking for what the Apostle Paul taught about our divine destiny.

• What does this scripture teach you about what your Father in Heaven and the Savior want for you? (If needed, help students understand what it means to be “joint-heirs with Christ.” See section 3 of the preparation material for an explanation.)

You might ask a student before class to be ready to summarize and share his or her feelings about President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s statement in section 3 of the preparation material.

Give students time to reflect on the following questions, and encourage them to record any impressions they receive:

• How can the knowledge of your divine nature and destiny shape the choices you make today?

• 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?

Invite a few students to share their thoughts or testimonies about what they learned in this lesson.

You might conclude by sharing the difference knowing your divine nature and destiny has made in your life. Encourage students to find ways to remember who they and others are and to treat themselves and others accordingly.