Scott Williams

One of the most cherished teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that all human beings are children of a loving heavenly Father. A beloved hymn starts out, “I am a child of God …” 

In a proclamation to the world, prophets and apostles stated, “ Each [person] is a beloved spirit son or daughter of Heavenly parents, and as such has a divine nature and destiny.” 

Nearly 20 years ago, I was taking a college course, organic evolution, required for my chosen degree. The teacher of this course neither believed, nor disbelieved in God. However, one thing that I greatly appreciated was that we were told that we were allowed to think or say anything we wanted in class as long as we could back it up with facts. Being one who had a very deep belief in Jesus Christ and his divinity, I engaged in many conversations with this good man both during class and privately.  

The lessons of this class followed a belief that humans were not of divine origin, but rather a product of change over time from RNA, to primates, to humans. Another thing taught was that all species tend to shift toward extinction. Proof was taken from fossils and historical evidence. The beliefs held by this arm of the scientific community are so intensely studied that the mode of delivery and the drum beat can be quite compelling, but I found much of it hollow. It did not resonate with me.   

At the end of the semester, our final examination was given, a lengthy essay on why humans, who had evolved a greater ability to think than lesser animals, had a responsibility to take care of the earth and prevent it from being overrun and abused. What a perfectly constructed corner I felt backed into. In my response to the assigned topic I laid out this argument: The premise is false. I argued that if evolution were indeed the origin of man, it would fail the human race and we would shift toward extinction ourselves. Being mere animals, our only responsibility is to follow whatever carnal desire we have and moral relativity would justify any and all actions. I then laid out the true premise: If we teach our true identity as children of God, the great creator of heaven and earth, then we would establish a moral obligation to care for the stewardships we have been given. We would work to preserve the beauty and bounty of the earth. We would recognize the abundance given and use it with wisdom. Ten plus pages later, and with some anxiety on my part, I turned in my paper with pretty low expectations. However, I was thrilled to receive high marks and pass the class.  

How does the knowledge that we are all children of God change the way you act? It is my firm belief that as we teach our divine nature, the problems of abuse, hatred, bigotry, prejudice, confusion and division will decrease.  Knowing who we are will decrease anxiety, depression and sadness. Knowing our true origin leads us to a greater dependency on Jesus Christ, for he is, “… the way the truth and the life …” 

Hope comes to people as they recognize who they are; trials and difficulties are
no longer bad luck, or even punishment from an unknown god. Rather, we look through our trials with faith that reliance on Jesus Christ will see us through to the promised joy. It is my faith that we are all God’s children — He loves us! You are a child of God, he knows you, he loves you!

(Scott Williams is a bishop in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)