Divine Nature and Eternal Destiny
The Family: A Proclamation to the World teaches a connection between the true nature of human beings and the destiny that is theirs beyond their respective lives on earth:
- The family is essential to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. 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 and destiny.”[1]
Elder Dale G. Renlund has explained the term divine nature:
"This is intrinsic to who we are. It is spiritually “genetic,” inherited from our heavenly parents, and requires no effort on our part. This is our most important identity, regardless of how else we choose to identify ourselves. Understanding this profound truth is important for everyone but especially for individuals belonging to groups who have been historically marginalized, oppressed, or subjugated. Remember that your most important identity relates to your divine nature as a child of God."[2]
Like a legal inheritance from caring parents, Heavenly Parents offer an “eternal destiny” to their children.
“Unlike the destiny you read about in books or see in movies, achieving your divine destiny is possible because you are a child of God, but it also requires you to use your agency. God has all power in heaven and in earth. The covenants we make with our Heavenly Father allow Him to be our partner as we walk through the storms of life. Our divine destiny—our potential when we partner with God—is made possible through His plan of happiness.[3]
The family proclamation also teaches,
- The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.[4]
The plan of happiness, or the plan of salvation, allows us to “return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.” That is the promise; that is the destination.[5]
Elder Renlund taught that “such a destiny will not be forced on us. After death, we will receive what we have qualified for and 'enjoy [only] that which [we] are willing to receive.' Realizing our eternal destiny is dependent on our choices. It requires making and keeping sacred covenants. This covenant path is the way we come unto Christ and is based on absolute truth and eternal, unchanging law. . . . Heavenly Father’s prescribed path leads to the best eternal outcomes. We are free to choose, but we cannot choose the consequences of not following the revealed path. The Lord has said, 'That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, . . . cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment.' We cannot deviate from Heavenly Father’s course and then blame Him for inferior outcomes."[6]
Elder Renlund also noted that repentance helps us obtain an eternal destiny with our Heavenly Parents. Because of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice, we can repent, learn from our mistakes, and not be condemned by them.[7]
President Oaks said, “Our theology begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them. Under the merciful plan of the Father, all of this is possible through the atonement of the Only Begotten of the Father, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” [8]
