Teaching Divine Identity in a Self-destructive World

By Kaitlin Harker 

My husband and I don’t have kids yet, but as we’ve thought about the future, there have been times when we are truly scared to bring children into this world. There are so many negative things going on it can be scary to raise children. However, the Lord asks us to put our faith in Him and trust that He will help us as we raise our children. 

What is Divine Identity? 

President Ballard highlights two important things which can help us understand our divine identity. He states, “First and most important: You are a child of your Heavenly Father, who loves you. Second: Your Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, loves you” (2020). President Ballard explains that he reminds his children and grandchildren of this every time he sees them. Our divine identity has to do with who we are and where we came from. We are children of loving heavenly parents, princes and princesses destined to become kings and queens. 

It is crucial that we remember who we are and help our children remember who they are. Our world is made up of stereotypical sayings and categorizing individuals by what they do or how they look. The Lord does not categorize us in this way. He sees us as His children and loves us no matter what. President Ballard said, “You are and have always been a son or daughter of God, with spiritual roots in eternity. . . . Understanding this truth—really understanding and embracing it—is life-changing. It gives you an extraordinary identity that no one can ever take away from you.” (2020). 

How Can We Help Our Children Remember Their Divine Identities

As stated previously, it is so important that we help our children learn and remember their divine identities. Below are four things that we can do to help our children remember their divine destiny:

1. Remind them daily that they are sons or daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. 
2. Remind and help teach them that they are not defined by worldly terms or stereotypes. 
3. Help them focus on things that will help them draw closer to Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. This could include scripture study or prayer. 
4. Encourage them, when they are having a hard time, to see their divine identity.Ask them, “How does Heavenly Father see you?” This question can help you guide your children as they come up with their own answers. 

As parents, it can be hard to see our children face the self-destructive world that we live in. A place where everyone has to do certain things or look a certain way, and be “cool” or “a part of something” But, as we focus on the eternal perspective and help our kids understand it, eventually it may become easier to be apart from the crowd. 

For additional resources on divine identity and so much more, check out our helpful parenting articles. Looking for a great book to teach more about prayer and priesthood power?  Look for our book, The Powers of Heaven: A Priesthood Guide for Latter-day Saint Girls and Boys. Or check out 30 Days to a Stronger Child, a great resource to teach our children how to live spiritually, emotionally, socially, and intellectually balanced lives. 

Kaitlin Harker is a senior at Brigham Young University Idaho and will be graduating next April with a degree in English. She has been married to her best friend for a year and they have a Siberian Husky named Osha. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, being outside, and reading mystery novels. 

Citations: 

Ballard, M. R. (2020, March 4). Keep Your Divine Identity at the Center of Everything You Do. Church News and Events. Retrieved September 6, 2022, from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/keep-your-divine-identity-at-the-center-of-everything-you-do-president-ballard-tells-byu-students?lang=eng