OUR TRUE IDENTITY

By Lynnette Sheppard

 

It happened 19 years ago, but the memory of that day is still bright in my mind, down to the denim skirt, lavender sweater, and brown loafers I was wearing. I was mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted, with a two-year-old and a baby at home who were constantly stretching and often exceeding my patience. Why did the Lord think I could handle these strong-willed youngsters when my belief in myself was nearly non-existent?

Walking into the packed Marriott Center, I sat down with a sign. Sheri Dew had a way with words, and I silently prayed she would say something that spoke peace to my weary heart. Little did I know that her entire talk, “Knowing Who You Are, and Who You Have Always Been,” would forever change my life.

For the next hour, Sister Dew taught me about my divine identity in a way I had never heard. The Spirit was almost tangible when she said:

“My dear sisters, will you seek to remember with the help of the Holy Ghost who you are and who you have always been? Will you remember that you stood by our Savior without flinching? Remember that you were reserved for now because you would have the courage and determination to face the world at its worst and to help rear and lead a chosen generation. Remember the covenants you have made and the power they carry. Remember that you are noble and great and a potential heir of all our Father has. Remember that you are the daughter of a King.”

Could she be right? Was I faithful and fearless before coming to earth? Did I have the courage and determination to face the world at its worst without flinching?

Though I did not, at that moment, feel noble or great, and my inadequacies threatened to swallow me whole, the Spirit testified of the truthfulness of her words with such power that it nearly took my breath away. Perhaps, there was more to me than what I could see or understand. Maybe, a lifetime of heart-wrenching experiences that left me wondering if I mattered at all was not indicative of my potential. Perhaps, I was born to be a light, fearlessly leading others to the Savior.

Something changed in my heart that day. I saw a glimpse of my divine potential. I felt a glimmer of hope that God put me here on earth to do something great. For the next four grueling years, I clung to that hope like a lifeline. When my circumstances threatened to break me, I remembered what the Spirit taught me through Sister Dew. That memory and the light it provided kept me walking when the path was steep and treacherous.

Then somehow, almost imperceptibly, my life began to change. A small glimmer of hope gave way to a pillar of light. God put people in my path that helped me rewrite my story. As I opened my heart and my mind, the insecurities that once imprisoned me gradually loosened their hold on my heart, paving the way for increased confidence and joy. I began to see myself as Sister Dew proposed on that day so many years prior: “Noble and great. Courageous and determined. Faithful and fearless.”

I realized that, if those powerful words described me, I could tackle the world and the adversary head-on. If God believed in me, I could believe in myself. And once I believed in myself, my life took on a stunning new purpose filled with courage and faith and trust in God’s plan for me.

It has not been an easy path and, sometimes, I still struggle with old feelings of inadequacy. But I have learned a few things in the fire of painful experience that help get me back on the path of peace and joy:

GOD WANTS US TO UNDERSTAND OUR TRUE IDENTITY

If we ask Him in sincere prayer, He will help us to see ourselves in a new, holier light. He will give us the power of discernment to recognize Satan’s deceptions and free us from their bondage.

I know this to be true because I have personally been tutored by the Spirit, who has given me brief but potent glimpses into who I have always been underneath the muddy layers of mortality. Because of those small tidbits of light and understanding, I have found more courage and strength than I ever thought possible.

SATAN IS AWARE OF OUR DIVINITY

He knows the grand spiritual power we will gain when we understand and internalize our divine nature. Because of that, he will remain relentless in his attacks on our self-worth. He knows that If he can get us to focus our energy on doubting and feeling bad about ourselves, we will never accomplish the vital work the Lord has for us. Recognizing this potent tactic of the adversary gives me the strength to dismiss negative feelings when they find their way into my heart.

JOY COMES IN THE MORNING

If you are in the middle of a time of struggle right now and happiness seems elusive, do not dismay. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalms 30:5)

Sometimes, it takes time to work through feelings of self-doubt. Just remember that God is there and will meet you where you are. He will teach you line upon line until the day when you look back with amazement at how much your understanding has grown.

God will not give up on you. Do not give up on yourself.

I wish every Latter-day Saint woman could have been in the Marriott Center with me 19 years ago. In case you missed it, I will close with the words of Sheri Dew:

“When you understand that you were chosen and reserved for now, and when you live in harmony with that mission, you’ll be happier than you have ever been before.”

Let us get started on this life-changing journey of self-discovery, dear sisters. As our beloved prophet, Russell M. Nelson, recently said, “Time is running out.”

You can find Lynnette Sheppard on Facebook, Instagram, and her Website.