Hermana Childs: Free To Become Better

In October of 2014 Elder D. Todd Christofferson gave a talk entitled "Free Forever, to Act for themselves" stating that we, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, can become something, someone better than who we are right now.

In his talk he said, "The gospel of Jesus Christ opens the path to what we may become. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His grace, our failures to live the celestial law perfectly and consistently in mortality can be erased and we are enabled to develop a Christlike character.

"It is God’s will that we be free men and women enabled to rise to our full potential both temporally and spiritually, that we be free from the humiliating limitations of poverty and the bondage of sin, that we enjoy self-respect and independence, that we be prepared in all things to join Him in His celestial kingdom. I am under no illusion that this can be achieved by our own efforts alone without His very substantial and constant help. “We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” And we do not need to achieve some minimum level of capacity or goodness before God will help—divine aid can be ours every hour of every day, no matter where we are in the path of obedience. But I know that beyond desiring His help, we must exert ourselves, repent, and choose God for Him to be able to act in our lives consistent with justice and moral agency. My plea is simply to take responsibility and go to work so that there is something for God to help us with."

I testify to Elder Christofferson's words. We are free to become better. Let's not let mediocrity and sin bog us down and keep us from our divine potential. We are children of the most high.

We are loved by a most kind Heavenly Father.

Let us allow the gospel of Jesus Christ change us.

That's why missions are powerful. For 18-24 months you have focused your life on the Gospel and Atonement of the Savior. We, as missionaries, spend that time learning and perfecting what it means to have faith, repent, be baptized (ourselves by partaking of the sacrament and our investigators), have the gift of the holy ghost, and endure to the end.

This is something that you can, and should, do at home. All those who have not had the privilege to serve a mission, who have already served a mission, who are preparing to serve, who are still in the primary, etc.

So if you feel under pressure, weak, humble, lowly, know this; you are free to become something better.

See what our Heavenly Father sees in you.

You are radiant, lovely, beautiful. Full of light, full of potential! A child of God.

I am coming to see what heaven sees in me. I can feel my father's love. I know it's real. It's my favorite part about missionary work, sharing the love I feel from Heavenly Father.

I have seen so much growth in everyone that I have taught as we have helped them see their potential and feel God's love:

Rosario, finally saw herself as someone of worth.

The Familia Canabarro now has a temple date to be sealed.

Jorge Sermeno has a baptismal date.

Hermana Childs is becoming a more devoted servant of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

I know change is possible. Change is the purpose of our lives. It is because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ that change can take place and what makes it so powerful.

I testify that light will radiate from you as you center yourself on the basics of the gospel: faith, repentance, baptism, having the gift of the holy ghost, and enduring to the end. See yourself at the end and work from there.

You are loved. By me and your Father in Heaven.

Big hugs,

Hermana Childs