I Have a Heavenly Father

I know this blogpost is way overdue! Things have been wonderfully busy in the life of Sister Spiel lately. Every day I wake up SO happy to be a missionary. I feel so blessed to be where I am and for every day I get to teach others about Jesus Christ and how they can come closer to Him and their Heavenly Father. One thing that is really interesting about being a missionary, particularly a missionary in the Bible Belt, is teaching others about the restored truth concerning the nature of God. Just a minute ago we were having lunch with a wonderful lady from our ward and we struck up a conversation with our waitress about some of our beliefs as Latter-day Saints. She asked us if we considered ourselves "Christian" and we told her that we whole-heartedly consider ourselves Christian. We know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. It is through His Atonement and sacrifice that we can be forgiven of our sins and saved. (I am SO grateful for this knowledge!!) After explaining this, we continued on to explain that we do, however, believe that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are separate beings.... which is where there seems to be some controversy. Words cannot describe how amazing it is to help someone realize, for the first time, that not only do they have a Savior but that they are also a Child of God and that they have a Heavenly Father who is aware of them, loves them, listens to them, and wants more than anything for them to return to His presence!!!

 

My dad and my sister

Skiing with my Papa

 So what does this mean to me and why 

does it matter??? Well for me I believe it brings so much clarity and strengthens my relationship with my Savior, Eldest Brother, and Redeemer Jesus Christ, as well as my relationship with my Heavenly Father. Putting it into perspective, I have an earthly father. He is wonderful! My dad is truly the best man I have ever met. I feel like I can confide in him my deepest joys and sorrows and I know that he will listen to me, pray for me, and help me because I am his daughter and he loves me. I know that although I make mistakes, my Dad will always be there for me. I don't know what I would do without my Daddy. Similarly, we have a Heavenly Father. (Personally- I have a Heavenly Father.) He loves me. He knows me better than I know myself. He knew me before I came to earth and He is aware of me now- my struggles, pain, joys, dreams- and because of this, He knows my potential. My Heavenly Father knows who I can become and He is constantly aware of what I need to reach my full potential. It is because I know this that I feel like I can go to my Heavenly Father in prayer and truly talk to Him and share my joys and sorrow. I know that I can trust in Him and in His plan for me. I know that no matter what I have done, no matter where I am, HE LOVES ME and will be there to guide, strengthen, protect, and bless me. KNOWING THIS MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD. Knowing that I am a Daughter of God helps give me purpose in life and strength in the midst of trials. Just as knowing that my earthly father will always be there for me brings me happiness and a great deal of comfort- knowing my Heavenly Father will always be there for me does the same thing :)

For more information- I love this definition given from LDS.org about our beliefs of the Godhead.

"The Church's first article of faith states, “We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” These three beings make up the Godhead. They preside over this world and all other creations of our Father in Heaven.
The Mormon view of the members of the Godhead corresponds in a number of ways with the views of others in the Christian world, but with significant differences. Latter-day Saints pray to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ. They acknowledge the Father as the ultimate object of their worship, the Son as Lord and Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit as the messenger and revealer of the Father and the Son. But where Latter-day Saints differ from other Christian religions is in their belief that God and Jesus Christ are glorified, physical beings and that each member of the Godhead is a separate being....Although the members of the Godhead are distinct beings with distinct roles, they are one in purpose and doctrine. They are perfectly united in bringing to pass Heavenly Father's divine plan of salvation."

Scripture References

Matthew 3:13-17

John 14:6-10; 17:6-23

Acts 7:55-56

2 Nephi 31:18

Mormon 7:5-7