The following post is part of a series of posts, entitled "In Defense of the Family." The purpose of this series is to inform readers of various aspects of the document "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," as well as to encourage readers to consider their own beliefs regarding the purpose of families. Furthermore, I would invite all readers to prayerfully consider the teachings set forth in The Family Proclamation.
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Something that has puzzled man for centuries is the nature of God. Beliefs vary widely, and you'll probably get a variety of answers if you ask a random group of people what kind of being they consider God to be. Today, I'm going to share some of my beliefs regarding the nature of God. I'll share a basic principles I hold close to my heart: God has a body of flesh and bone, just like we do.
The Family Proclamation states, "All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God."
Does that seem like a pretty bold statement? "Created in the image of God"? Is this implying that we (mere humans) are in the likeness of Heavenly Father (the most powerful being in the universe)?
Well, this principle actually comes straight out of the scriptures! In Genesis 1:26 - 27, we read:
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
These scriptures describe part of the Creation process. In these verses, we read that God intentionally created man "in his own image." If we are created in God's image and "after [his] likeness," that means we must have the same basic kind of physical body that God has. We can conclude, then, that God has eyes, arms, feet, fingernails, knees, a heart, a brain, and every other masterfully designed body part that we have!
Biologically speaking, a child can never be a different species than its parents. A mother, for example, will never give birth to a child and be surprised to discover that she actually gave life to a rhinoceros rather than a human baby. Scientific knowledge, then, can contribute to our testimony of the Creation. In this instance, we have proof all around us that a living creature can give life only to another living creature of the same genetic makeup.
This all might raise the question why did God create man in his own image? Doesn't he know he's God? After all, if he's the most powerful being in the universe, wouldn't he want to set himself apart from his lesser creations?
Well, God is the most powerful being in the universe, but I also believe he is the most merciful and loving being in the universe. The Proclamation goes on: "Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny." So God wants us to succeed. He has a purpose for us.
We matter to him!
That knowledge is powerful. If you are wondering whether God cares about you and knows you or if he's even really there, I promise you that he does, and he is! But you don't have to take my word for it. Kneel down in sincere prayer and ask Heavenly Father to help you feel his love. You might feel it immediately as a feeling of peace, or you might feel it the next time someone does something kind for you. But I promise you that you will feel it. I feel comfortable promising that because I have felt it many times.
I've already shared that I believe God has a physical body. But no matter what you personally believe about the nature of God--whether you think that he has no physical body, or that he is more of a nebulous Being, or that he does have a body just like ours--you can feel his love, and you can know that he has a plan and purpose for you.
