President Russell M. Nelson has taught us, “You are literally spirit children of God. You have sung this truth since you learned the words to ‘I Am a Child of God.’ But is that eternal truth imprinted upon your heart? Has this truth rescued you when confronted with temptation?. . . I fear that you may have heard this truth so often that it sounds more like a slogan than divine truth . . . If I were to rank in order of importance the designations that could be applied to me, I would say: First, I am a child of God.” 1
I experienced this truth in a powerful way during a ministering visit. On September 15, 2024, I was invited to join the leaders in Johore Bahru Branch to visit Rachel, a young single adult. In 2021, Rachel’s life took a dramatic turn when a severe car accident left her in a coma for almost a month. After multiple surgeries, including one to repair her fractured skull, Rachel began the long process of recovery. With faith, perseverance and a year of speech therapy, she gradually relearned how to communicate. But many things were still not as before. She was no longer an agile singer and dancer. She had yet to regain much of her motor and cognitive skills. She had a great desire to overcome her disability and resume her university studies but felt discouraged with her present physical conditions. They seemed like insurmountable challenges. Her slow recovery progress had been agonising. After relating her story and worries, Rachel turned to me and pleaded, 'What shall I do?' I searched in vain for words of comfort. With all the compassion I have for this dear sister, I said, “I really do not know.” Then, I was given a powerful impression and declared to her, “You are a precious, beautiful child of God; He loves you dearly. You are very intelligent.” We both wept because of the joy and hope we felt from these truths. Before this experience with Rachel, I believed that I am a child of God. But my belief had been more of an intellectual understanding, like a slogan. The declaration I made to Rachel, accompanied by the witness of the spirit, was a powerful spiritual manifestation to me and to her that each of us is indeed a child of God. While Rachel’s recovery will require patience and effort, she is now facing her future with “a perfect brightness of hope.”2 Rachel, and others like her, are the reason that our Savior taught us to keep the 99 safe and to go forth to search and rescue the one precious child.
“We really are God’s children. That truth is breathtaking! Stunning! And it is not figurative . . . When you welcome this majestic reality into your very soul and feel both the comfort and the thrill of it, your entire paradigm shifts! You can feel His love, hear His voice, and recognise His hand, no matter what is happening, or not happening, in your life.”
Elder Patrick Kearon
I am ever so grateful to be a father. My children continue to teach me and help me understand gospel truths. When my son, Noel, was younger, it was obvious that being tidy was more important to me than it was to him. As my frustration grew, my wife wisely suggested I should have some father and son time with Noel. I decided to take my son for a walk. I bought his favourite peanut pancake, and we ended up walking to a sports stadium. We enjoyed watching the many athletes exercising in the stadium. Then, as I turned and looked at my son, I saw how happy and contented he was as he began enjoying his peanut pancake. I marvelled at his innocence and purity. I was overcome with the spiritual impression that my son is a precious child of God. I love him so much! For me, this was an awakening. I repented and saw my son through a spiritual lens. He is truly a beloved son of God. He has always been so kind, compassionate and sensitive to the needs of others. I was no longer troubled by things that do not really matter. Despite any differences we may have, I always have an abiding love for him.
Elder Patrick Kearon taught at the April 2025 General Conference, “We really are God’s children. That truth is breathtaking! Stunning! And it is not figurative . . . When you welcome this majestic reality into your very soul and feel both the comfort and the thrill of it, your entire paradigm shifts! You can feel His love, hear His voice, and recognise His hand, no matter what is happening, or not happening, in your life.”3
May the Lord bless us to cherish this one important, eternal identity - you are and have always been a son or daughter of God. As you come to understand and love this truth, it will transform every aspect of your life.
- Russell M. Nelson, “Choices for Eternity”, [Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults, May 15, 2022], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org
- 2Nephi 31:20
- Patrick Kearon, “Receive His Gift,” Liahona, May 2025