Prior to the advent of Joseph Smith’s First Vision, many contradictory ideas of who and what God is were found among many of the different religious sects. Today is no different in terms of the many ideas that float around; however, since the First Vision, who and what God is have been clarified. God is literally the father of our spirits. He is as real as we are and is an embodied being who has been glorified and perfected. As our Father, He cares for and loves us beyond our comprehension. He knows each of us, sees our divine potential and worth and constantly invites us to know Him. He encourages us to ask questions and to bring Him our doubts and concerns. In turn, He promises to generously and freely answer us without fear of reproach (James 1:5). The moment we take a step towards Him, He immediately blesses us. He does not require us to obey all His commandments to receive blessings. Rather, He generously and willingly blesses. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland states, “Surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don’t expect it and often feel they don’t deserve it.” Because I know Him – His kindness, generosity, love, forgiveness, peace – I cannot leave Him.
1. As we are faithful to the promises we have made, we will feel our love for Him. It will increase because we will feel His power and His drawing near to us in His service. – President Henry B. Eyring, “Come Unto Me,” General Conference, April 2013
2. In the end, you knew God would be just—that His goodness would triumph. – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Your Wonderful Journey Home,” General Young Women Meeting, March 2013 (http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-young-women-meeting/2013/03/your-wonderful-journey-home?lang=eng)
3. The very moment you begin to seek your Heavenly Father, in that moment, the hope of His light will begin to awaken, enliven, and ennoble your soul. – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Hope of God’s Light,” General Conference, April 2013 (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/the-hope-of-gods-light?lang=eng)
4. Your Heavenly Father knows that you will make mistakes. . . This saddens Him, but He loves you. He does not wish to break your spirit. On the contrary, He desires that you rise up and become the person you were designed to be – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Hope of God’s Light,” General Conference, April 2013 (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/the-hope-of-gods-light?lang=eng)
5. There is a consistency in what the Lord says and what He does, that is evident in all creation. Nature can teach valuable lessons about spiritual and doctrinal matters. The Lord drew lessons from flowers and foxes, from seeds and salt, and sparrows and sunsets. – Elder Boyd K. Packer (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1984/10/the-pattern-of-our-parentage?lang=eng)
6. The intent of your Father in Heaven is to lift you from where you are to where he knows you will have eternal purpose and unspeakable happiness. - Elder Richard G. Scott, “Finding Happiness,” Campus Education Week, Devotional, 19 August 1997
7. I know that God is at all times and in all ways and in all circumstances our loving, forgiving Father in Heaven. – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/lord-i-believe?lang=eng)
8. Remember, God is our Heavenly Father. – Elder Boyd K. Packer (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/cleansing-the-inner-vessel?lang=eng)
9. Elder Marion D. Hanks had a framed statement on his wall by Ugo Betti: “To believe in God is to know that all the rules will be fair, and that there will be wonderful surprises.” – Elder Quentin L. Cook (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/personal-peace-the-reward-of-righteousness?lang=eng)
10. Like the forget-me-nots, these successes may seem tiny to you and they may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and they are not small to Him. – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-relief-society-meeting/2011/09/forget-me-not?lang=eng)
11. We are part of His family. He is not a father in some allegorical or poetic sense. He is literally the Father of our spirits. He cares for each one of us. Though this world has a way of diminishing and demeaning men and women, the reality is we are all of royal, divine lineage. – Elder M. Russell Ballard (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/04/the-atonement-and-the-value-of-one-soul?lang=eng)
2. In the end, you knew God would be just—that His goodness would triumph. – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Your Wonderful Journey Home,” General Young Women Meeting, March 2013 (http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-young-women-meeting/2013/03/your-wonderful-journey-home?lang=eng)
3. The very moment you begin to seek your Heavenly Father, in that moment, the hope of His light will begin to awaken, enliven, and ennoble your soul. – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Hope of God’s Light,” General Conference, April 2013 (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/the-hope-of-gods-light?lang=eng)
4. Your Heavenly Father knows that you will make mistakes. . . This saddens Him, but He loves you. He does not wish to break your spirit. On the contrary, He desires that you rise up and become the person you were designed to be – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Hope of God’s Light,” General Conference, April 2013 (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/the-hope-of-gods-light?lang=eng)
5. There is a consistency in what the Lord says and what He does, that is evident in all creation. Nature can teach valuable lessons about spiritual and doctrinal matters. The Lord drew lessons from flowers and foxes, from seeds and salt, and sparrows and sunsets. – Elder Boyd K. Packer (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1984/10/the-pattern-of-our-parentage?lang=eng)
6. The intent of your Father in Heaven is to lift you from where you are to where he knows you will have eternal purpose and unspeakable happiness. - Elder Richard G. Scott, “Finding Happiness,” Campus Education Week, Devotional, 19 August 1997
7. I know that God is at all times and in all ways and in all circumstances our loving, forgiving Father in Heaven. – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/lord-i-believe?lang=eng)
8. Remember, God is our Heavenly Father. – Elder Boyd K. Packer (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/cleansing-the-inner-vessel?lang=eng)
9. Elder Marion D. Hanks had a framed statement on his wall by Ugo Betti: “To believe in God is to know that all the rules will be fair, and that there will be wonderful surprises.” – Elder Quentin L. Cook (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/personal-peace-the-reward-of-righteousness?lang=eng)
10. Like the forget-me-nots, these successes may seem tiny to you and they may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and they are not small to Him. – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-relief-society-meeting/2011/09/forget-me-not?lang=eng)
11. We are part of His family. He is not a father in some allegorical or poetic sense. He is literally the Father of our spirits. He cares for each one of us. Though this world has a way of diminishing and demeaning men and women, the reality is we are all of royal, divine lineage. – Elder M. Russell Ballard (http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/04/the-atonement-and-the-value-of-one-soul?lang=eng)