Elder Brian K. Taylor, a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, focused his Tuesday devotional address on the importance of understanding the plan of salvation and our divine nature.
Likening God’s plan of happiness to a three-act play, Elder Taylor quoted Elder Quentin L. Cook when he said, “Those without knowledge of the Father’s plan do not understand what happened in the first act, or the premortal existence, and the purposes established there; nor do they understand the clarification and resolution that come in the third act, which is the glorious fulfillment of the Father’s plan.”
Failing to comprehend the Father’s plan cultivates a society that is prone to much anxiety and fear, said Elder Taylor.
“Can you imagine waking up only to find yourself on a stage in the middle of the second act of a complex and fast-moving play with no idea who the characters are, what the plot is and what role you play?”
Elder Taylor highlighted the findings of a recent Harvard study, revealing that a majority of young adults struggle with anxiety and depression due to a perceived lack of meaning or purpose in their lives. However, as individuals acknowledge the eternal truths concerning their divine identity, purpose and destiny as outlined in God's plan, hope emerges.
Act 1: The premortal existence — Divine identity
Understanding God’s and our divine identities is the vital foundation for happiness and success, said Elder Taylor, and will help us avoid the ongoing identity and purpose crisis.
Elder Taylor taught that our divine destiny begins with our royal, heavenly heritage. Heavenly Father's greatest desire for His children is for them to fulfill their divine destiny and return home to Him.
“As astonishing as this is, it’s equally stunning to think that the divine, spiritual DNA of Almighty God flows in each of us! Though still in their infancy, these seeds of godhood planted within us hold every attribute of godliness, which makes it possible for us to become like Him.”
Another crucial truth highlighted by Elder Taylor is the understanding that in the premortal life, individuals helped defend God’s plan and chose Jesus Christ as their Savior, engaging courageously in the battle against Satan. Elder Taylor emphasized that these individuals' presence in Act 2 confirms their participation in this eternal struggle against evil — a chapter that can never be erased or undone.
“Believing this will profoundly change you! It will change the way you view God, Jesus Christ and your own value and worth — even hour by hour.”
Act 2: Divine purpose
Elder Taylor taught that in this life, individuals are to experience joy through redemption and prove their loyalty to God. Through mortal challenges, they strive to overcome self-interest and become saints through the Atonement of Christ.
“Furthermore, as disciples of Jesus Christ, we engage in the gathering of Israel in preparation for the Lord’s Second Coming,” he said. “Thus, we align our hearts with the Lord’s through obedience to His gospel, through faith unto repentance, service and covenant living, we fulfill the measure of our creation.”
Having an eternal perspective will enable us to see through the devil’s lies and distractions, Elder Taylor taught. By focusing on our relationship with Jesus Christ, having that perspective will allow us to move forward confidently with great faith in the Father’s great plan of happiness.
“The devil is always enticing us to compare, compete and contend. But remember, comparison is the thief of joy. Contention is the thief of peace. And competition is the thief of love!”
Act 3: Divine destiny
Elder Taylor highlighted President Lorenzo Snow's profound teachings, emphasizing the supremely grand and glorious hopes for the future that every Latter-day Saint should strive to keep bright continually.
“What more could be hoped for in eternity than to become ‘pure as He is pure,’ ‘heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ,’ and have ‘glory added upon [our] heads for ever and ever?’”
Urging the audience to recognize the present moment as their time, filled with great causes to undertake and seemingly insurmountable challenges to overcome, Elder Taylor emphasized the limitless possibilities and the limitless perils that await their choices on the horizon.
“God’s plan of salvation is perfect and literally has a ‘why,’ or just for today, a ‘Y,’ in every direction — past, present and future. Gratefully, you can know with certainty who you are and why you’re here and where you are going.”
