Brother David Evans
Sunday School First Counselor
There are many scriptures explaining that we are of Great Worth to our Father in Heaven. D&C 18:10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; Moses 1:39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Mathew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Though we are a tiny life form on a small planet in an infinite universe, we are of great worth to our Father in Heaven. No matter what our circumstances, or appearance, or social status, our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to recognize our self-worth. Furthermore, the Lord values his children for reasons far different from the world’s, for he “seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7.)
The world would like us to believe that the requirements for self-worth are beauty, youth, wealth, and success. But as Patricia Holland, former counselor in the Young Women general presidency, counseled women college students “[we are] becoming so concerned about having perfect figures, or straight A’s, or professional status, or even absolute motherly success that we are being torn from our true selves. We often worry so much about pleasing and performing for others that we lose our own uniqueness, that full and relaxed acceptance of ourselves as a person of worth and individuality.”
Relief Society general president Elaine L. Jack has observed that “the world would have you believe that you are of worth only if you have money, a certain physical appearance, stylish clothes, or social position. The gospel assures you that your value is not dependent on your looks or material posses-sions. … Part of what it means to be a Latter-day Saint is to know within your soul your eternal worth, who you really are, and why you are here on earth”
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