A Case of Mistaken Identity: Avatar Aang

I’ve mentioned before that because I didn’t grow up watching Avatar (Michael and I did a whole podcast episode about it), the franchise misses the special nostalgia that many geeks my age have. But when a guy in my ward invited some of us over to watch the new movie, I figured I could use a guys night. Why not?

The deeper themes of the movie were probably lost on me, compared to someone who has binged the series multiple times over the course of life. However, since my spiritual pondering always seems to lead me to insights about divine identity, I latched onto Aang’s internal struggle as the “last airbender”. Naturally this is your spoiler warning for Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender.

Bridging the gap between Avatar and Korra, this movie shows the formation of Republic City, as a symbol of unity. However, at the same time Aang grieves the loss of his people and the inevitable loss of the Airbender culture; the only element not thriving in Republic City is Air Nomads. So when Team Avatar finds Tagah, an airbender frozen just like the Avatar, Aang gets excited. He's not the last airbender anymore!

All the while, his true love Katara tries to get him to understand that he isn't alone, because he has his family, Team Avatar. Tagah tries to get Aang to believe the Fire Nation could never be redeemed, just as he cannot forgive the Earth Kingdom to destroying his people. He wants Aang to accept his air nomad culture as his primary identity. In his quest for revenge, Tagah uses Team Avatar to retrieve the staff of Sonam, the Avatar of his time, to create a new breed off airbender from the Denied, a disgruntled group of non-benders. 

Talk about conflicted! Aang wants to preserve his culture, but he cannot agree with Tagah's methods. If franchises like Divergent have taught us anything, it's better to be a diverse portfolio of a person. By the end of the war, Aang was more than the Avatar or an airbender. It's not healthy to identity with a single label, especially one that is limiting. President Nelson said, "Labels can be fun and indicate your support for any number of positive things. But if any label replaces your most important identifiers, the results can be spiritually suffocating."

Airbender is a notable label, especially for the Avatar. I'm not sure what the comparable labels would be in the Avatar world, but President Nelson stated that our most important identifiers are child of God, child of the covenant, and disciple of Christ. Even within these three labels, you're limiting yourself if you only pick one of them. All of them matter. Any good identifier is insufficient if it's the only one (even "child of God" or "disciple").

Avatar. Airbender. Mentor. Team Avatar. Husband. Father (eventually). All of them are part of Aang.

And there's more to you than what you think.

“Make no mistake about it: Your potential is divine. With your diligent seeking, God will give you glimpses of who you may become.”

A Case of Mistaken Identity: Moana

The live-action Moana is currently in theaters. I'll reserve judgment until I see it myself--We all know that live-action adaptations are hit and miss. In this stage of life (two little kids and a pregnant wife) there's virtually no chance of me seeing this movie until it's on Disney Plus. So instead of writing about the new Moana, I have some thoughts about her journey in the animated feature film.

As I began re-watching Moana in preparation for this blog post, I commented to Russell that this movie could easily be a case study about mistaken identity: Moana, Maui, Te Ka. The theme of identity is strong throughout Moana’s journey (and to a lesser extent in its sequel). While I could write about Maui or Te Ka (which I may yet do) I wanted to start with Moana. 

This daughter of the chief spends the whole movie trying to figure out who she is and what her purpose is. She feels compelled to venture into the ocean, but also loves her island and wants to be a good chief someday.

At first, these two things are contradictory in her mind. Her heart calls her to the ocean but her father wants her to focus on Motonui. There’s nothing wrong with her father’s counsel to find her purpose “where you are”. In fact, it’s not unlike President Uchtdorf’s counsel to “lift where you stand”. There’s something powerful in being able to “find happiness right where you are.” Moana felt the call to do more, but also served where she was until a formal call came. (PS: I think it’s notable that the call came after she learned about her ancestors—perhaps a tie in to family history there)

In the meantime, she struggled to wait for the call (which eventually came from her Gramma Tala). She knew she felt the call to see “how far [she’d] go” but also recognized her weakness. Her weakness was further pointed out and ridiculed when Maui joined her. 

When Maui left, Moana felt the weight of her call and her inadequacies even stronger. She couldn’t fathom why the ocean would choose her to pursue this mission. For a moment she gave it because it was too heavy for her to bear. As Gramma Tala’s spirit came to her, Moana strength through her grandmother’s validation and her influence helped Moana to integrate all she had learned about herself from the journey. The Holy Spirit can do the same for us and not just in our low moments. 

“Who am I?

“I’m a fur who loves my island.

“I’m a girl who loves the sea; it calls me.

“I am the daughter of the village chief.

“We are descended from voyagers who found their way across the world; they call me!

“I’ve delivered us to where we are.

“I have journeyed farther.

“I am everything I’ve learned and more, still it calls me.

“And the call isn’t out there at all; it’s inside me.

“It’s like the tide, always falling and rising.

“I will carry you here in my heart.

“You’ll remind me, that come what may I know the way.

“I am Moana!”

I love this scene because Moana learned how her experiences and everything she’s discovered has shaped who she is. She doesn’t have to simply be the chief’s daughter. She’s that but she’s also a wayfinder. She’s brave, loyal, insightful, and adventurous. All of these things shape who she has become. And, like her grandmother said in the sequel, “we never stop choose who we are.”

We are our heritage, as children of God. 

We are our experiences in mortality (for better or worse). 

We are the things we’ve learned. 

And we choose who we want to be. 

A Case of Mistaken Identity: Buzz Lightyear

We're coming up on the new Toy Story sequel, which might as well be titled "Toys vs. Tech". In honor of this additional sequel (which I hope is really good), I wanted to flashback to the beginning of the toys' adventures when Buzz Lightyear joined the crew. Back when all he had was delusions of grandeur.

Everyone remembers when Buzz Lightyear came out of that birthday present, thinking he was a real space ranger. It drove Woody absolutely crazy, while the other toys laughed at his discomfort. However, after being taken to Sid's house and Buzz's bubble burst, Woody didn't react the way he'd expected. It wasn't "I told you so" but instead it was a chance to be a friend.

Though delusional, Buzz was happy and confident. The unearned confidence was shattered when he learned he was a toy (If he didn't know he was toy, why did he go lifeless like the others when Andy came around?). With his illusion shattered, Buzz thought he was a worthless piece of plastic. It took finally becoming friends with Woody for Buzz to realize his true potential. He thought being Andy's toy was a far cry from being a space ranger, but a change in life perspective isn't always a bad thing. In Buzz's case, he learned that his worth wasn't from being an intergalactic hero, but from bringing joy to a child.

All of us come into this world thinking we're one thing. The natural man. We believe we're the impulses and desires that come so instinctively as we go through life. We think we're the flesh and blood we were born with. However, as prophets since Adam have taught, we are children of God. We have divine identity. Though we think we're "[children] of man" (as the adversary told Moses) we're "[children] of God".

Present Nelson taught there are three labels that ought to define us and direct our lives more than any other: child of God, child of the covenant, and disciple of Jesus Christ. He said, “Labels can be fun and indicate your support for any number of positive things. But if any label replaces your most important identifiers, the results can be spiritually suffocating." I mean, imagine if Buzz still believed he was a space ranger. Even he noted how pathetic he must have been when he met another Buzz at Al's Toy Barn. 

I've come to love the Aaronic Priesthood theme, especially the first line: "I am a beloved son of God, and He has a work for me to do." It's a powerful reminder that my potential isn't limited to who I think I am. While I could learn to be confident as the man I am, my identity as a son of God changes my purpose. As a man, I can grow and become who I want to be and who God wants me to become. I was not preprogramed with backstory. I was born with purpose... even if it isn't being a space ranger. 

PS: If Buzz came into Andy's room with backstory programmed into his plastic little head, why didn't Woody know about his backstory with Jessie and Bullseye?

A Case of Mistaken Identity: Moses

Picture this: your mom, living in an area where boys have been decreed by the king to be killed, decides to put you in a basket in a river to save your life. Then, the daughter of the king who had decreed you should be killed as a baby finds you and decides you should be her child. But wait, how is she going to nurse you? By chance, your older sister arrives on the scene, makes a suggestion that this woman hire the birth mother of the child to be the nurse for the baby (without sharing that this is the case), hooray! Happy reunion with mommy! But wait, 5 years later, you get taken back to the daughter of the king who had decreed that you should be killed and you are raised in the palace of that king as one of his progeny.

Now, fast forward 40 years and you find out that you’re not a member of the royal household, but actually a descendant of the people enslaved by the king. So, you run away to the wilderness, encounter another group of people who decide to make you a part of their family and put you to work as a shepherd. You live with them for another 40 years and after an encounter with the Lord in a burning bush, you are called to be a prophet. Your mission should you choose to accept it is to go back to the people enslaved by the king and tell them that you are the Lord’s prophet. And then you get to go to the king who is the ruler of the enslaved people and tell him that the Lord wants His people to be free to worship. Are you following me? This is of course a very glossed over version of the story of Moses, but let’s just go over the identities he has had up to this point: son, baby, doomed baby, adopted child of the Pharaoh, Egyptian, Middianite, outcast, shepherd, prophet. We probably shouldn’t leave out killer or imposter either. Talk about confusing!! And yet, clarity comes in the conversation that he has with the Lord. We read the following in Moses 1: 3-4,

“And God spake unto Moses, saying: Behold, I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name; for I am without beginning of days or end of years; and is not this endless? And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease.”

    How comforting it must have been to learn this truth for Moses. He was on a figurative identity crisis roller coaster for much of his early years. He was displaced multiple times. I know there was a purpose in all of that, but I can imagine it still must of have been difficult. I mean he named his first born son Gershom which according to Exodus 2:22 means: “I have been a stranger in a strange land.” It must have been comforting to hear the Lord tell him that he was His son. It’s no wonder that Satan came immediately after this interaction and tried to convince Moses that he was a son of man. Fortunately, Moses remembered who he really was and was able to cast Satan out.

    This reminds me of President Nelson’s worldwide devotional to the young adults from May 2022. He spoke of many things to the young adults including the importance of remembering who you are. He said, “First and foremost, you are a child of God. Second, as a member of the Church, you are a child of the covenant. And third, you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.” These are 3 important identifiers for us to remember. The beloved primary hymn reminds us, “I am a child of God and He has sent me here.” Regardless of what we have been through and where we have been and what we have done or not done, it is important to remember that like Moses, you are a son or daughter of God.

A Case of Mistaken Identity: The Wicked Witch

As we come to St. Patrick’s Day, it’s good to remember that it’s not easy being green. Especially when you’re constantly compared to one of the most heinous villains of witch-kind: the Wicked Witch of the West. So let’s start with the OG witch. The big baddy of Oz. 

The Wicked Witch of the West

The infamous witch of the original Wizard of Oz, specifically the 1939 movie adaptation, is one of the most devious and evil villains. The movie was released only two years after the Evil Queen appeared in Snow White. 

While the Evil Queen was fueled by vanity, I think it’s safe to say that the Wicked Witch wasn’t concerned with vanity, simply power. She’s known for being petty, vile, and volatile. At least as far as the movie is concerned, her identity is based in the obsessive need to have Dorothy’s slippers. That's what makes her such an iconic villain, even decades later. And that has impacted our view of this green-skinned woman ever since. 

Zelena (Once Upon a Time)

This iteration of the Wicked Witch came onto the scene as the residents of Storybrooke returned to the Enchanted Forest. With their cursed memories available, Snow, Regina, and everyone else immediately equated Zelena with the Witch from the movie. 

And that’s kind of how Zelena was raised in Oz. Because of her magic, her adopted father considered her some wicked curse. When she learned about her half sister and turned green with envy, her appearance only reinforced that belief to the people of Oz. You call someone wicked long enough and they’ll believe that’s all she is. In fact, she began to equate herself with wickedness. “Wicked always wins” may have been her mantra, but that line is filled with shame. It wasn’t until she was treated with love from her mother and her sister that she began to see herself as something other than “wicked”.

Elfaba (Wicked)

Going into the Broadway play, we're meant to compare Elfaba to the original Wicked Witch. Like Zelena, she was treated as a villain because of her magical abilities. Unlike Zelena, Elfaba kept to her values and her priorities in a version of Oz that was full of discriminatory propaganda. Because she wouldn't play the Wizard's game, Elfaba was villainized.

It would have been easy for Elfaba to take on that baggage, like Zelena, and believe she was "wicked". Instead, she was sure enough of herself to be able to recognize the darkness of the world she lived in and rise above it. There are a lot of possible interpretations of "Defying Gravity" and this is one of them. We live in a fallen world and it can be easy to take on who the world says we are. It takes a lot of internal strength to remain a person of integrity when everyone around says to conform. Elfaba literally rose above her haters. She may not have changed Oz, but her influence changed Glinda and Fiyero "for good".

A Case of Mistaken Identity: T'Challa

A few months ago, I rewatched Black Panther and it’s still as good as ever. Between having that in my recent memory and last week’s Come Follow Me reading, with Satan trying to tear down Moses, I had some thoughts.

T'Challa had barely begun grieving in processing his father‘s death, as seen in Civil War, when he was duty bound to accept any challenges of ritual combat. Most of the tribes in Wakanda conceded to him as the rightful king and Black Panther. But naturally someone had to challenge him: M'Baku

Something struck me during their fight during my recent feeling of the movie. While fighting M’Baku, the queen mother shouted at T’Challa, “ Show him who you are!” For whatever reason, this line hit me differently. In many ways, it defined the rest of the movie.

Even though he won the throne in that battle, T’Challa had some growing pains as the new king and Black Panther. Again, it had been mere weeks since the traumatic death of his father. He had let go of the anger towards Zemo, to whatever extent. But it wouldn’t be long until Killmonger challenged everything he knew about his father. Imagine learning details about your late father and how he treated his family while trying to grieve that loved one.

Learning that his father was instrumental in his uncle’s death, our beloved Black Panther was conflicted about what it meant to be king and what to do about Killmonger’s plan. In the end, I suppose he realized that Killmonger's motivation wasn’t completely flawed, though obviously the execution of that plan was dangerous and cruel to many innocent people. 

In many ways, his mother’s words ended up having more to do with the coming fight with Killmonger than it did M’Baku. After the battle against his cousin, T’Challa add to decide what to do about the Wakandan tradition of isolation. What kind of king did he want to be? Would he keep the kingdom‘s secrets like his father? Or would he risk their livelihood by reaching out to the world? 

I think it’s amazing that T’Challa, while respecting his father‘s memory, decided to do more. By reaching out to the rest of the world, providing technology and resources, mankind would never be the same. If nothing else, the Avengers wouldn’t have had so many allies in the battle against Thanos (granted, they lost the first round of that battle). Their king gave the Wakandan people a chance to show the world who they were. 

To bring in a spiritual perspective, we are tempted every day to go with the flow or to stick with the status quo. Call it tradition. Call it a fallen world. Call it whatever you want. The adversary loves complacency and wants us to believe we're nothing more than flesh (see also Moses's experience in Come Follow Me last week) but we are sons and daughters of God. I love this quote from Christian author John Eldredge in his book Wild at Heart:

"The Enemy fears you. You are dangerous big-time. If you are ever really got your heart back, live from it with courage, you would be a huge problem to him. You would do a lot of damage…on the side of good."

Eldredge isn’t a member of the Restored Church, but the statement is true especially for Latter-day Saints. Like Moses, if we don’t have a sense of who we are (sons and daughters of God) and what our heart truly wants (see also the Plan of Salvation), Satan can take us wherever he wants to keep us from that goal. He can pull us down and downplay our divine identity.

Just as the Wakandans left their isolation and began outreach to the world, we are expected to be disciples of Jesus Christ, rising out of obscurity. Like the Wakandans we have so much to offer the world, but it’s easy to stay in our own little sphere. I’m praying and pondering almost constantly on this subject, as I tried to “[get] my heart back” and understand my relationship to our heavenly father on a deeper level. As each of us develops and deepens that relationship, I believe outreach will come naturally and powerfully. Like Moses, it's up to us to respond to the adversary, "Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten;"

A Case of Mistaken Identity: Regina Mills

"I was afraid. I didn't... You said I could let go of the anger that was weighing me down. And suddenly it felt like without it, I would just... float away. That anger was all I had. What would I be without it?"

This quote from Once Upon a Time resonated recently. To my credit, I haven’t been resentful enough towards anyone that I sent a huntsman after them. However, I’ll admit that like Regina I have a hard time forgiving. And for a long time that anger defined her.

Once upon a time, Regina was a loving woman. As a youth, she jumped at the idea that she had a big sister (until Cora separated them). She loved her boyfriend Daniel freely (when her mother wasn’t looking). She even loved Snow White at first and was quick to show affection to the girl.

However, after that ten year old girl spilled the secret about Regina’s boyfriend, her heart was filled with darkness and hatred from the trauma. For decades, this hatred consumed her kind soul and grew to the point that she was ready to punish an entire kingdom for Snow White’s childhood mistake. Even when she had a chance at love, she turned away, not willing to give up that defining hatred. It was bad enough that she internalized the moniker of the Evil Queen.

After casting the Dark Curse, she had her revenge. And it was perfect. Until it wasn’t. Finally, when she adopted Henry she caught a glimpse of love again. But with how controlling a mother she was, I’m willing to bet it was her trauma and insecurities, always worried about losing him, Emma’s arrival in Storybrooke only amplified that fear.

When True Love’s Kiss broke the curse, she was a pariah once again. She used her magic as a crutch to avoid losing Henry. I think it was when she was forced to co-parent with Charming that things began to change. I mean, she made herself vulnerable to losing Henry when she helped Emma and Mary Margaret through the portal. By the time the crew left for Neverland, she had briefly lost her magic and was forced to trust her foes to save her son.

I’m not sure Regina could have made the sacrifice to lose Henry, in undoing Peter Pan’s curse, if not for that growth. The love of her son, and his love for her, opened her heart to the point that the grief of losing him almost drove her to bury her heart and impose a sleeping curse on herself. By the time they were back in Storybrooke she was able to open her heart enough to consistently trust the Charming family (and for them to trust her) that she went undercover with the Queens of Darkness while searching for her happy ending.

Opening her heart like that had to be the scariest thing in her life, making her feel vulnerable. But it somehow made her heart stronger. Even after Robin Hood’s demise, she managed to hold onto hope. Sure, she was as angry and resentful towards her sister, but she wasn’t murderous like she had been to Snow.

And while I could’ve done without the final season of the show, her character as Roni under the new curse showcased her transformation. After all she’d been through, she was the embodiment of hope in Hyperion Heights.

If I’m going to take one lesson from Regina’s story, it’s that opening your heart will make you stronger and help you discover your true identity. Regina was worried that forgiveness would leave her with nothing to ground her. But instead she found that opening her heart, discovering who the real Regina was, and letting in the love offered… that grounded her. By the end of the series, she felt loved and sure of herself. I’m not exactly sure how to get there in a practical sense myself, but I’m sure it’s easier said than done. Step one is compassion for myself. That seems to be what Heavenly Father is trying to teach me lately.

A Case of Mistaken Identity: Carter and Sadie Kane

My first thoughts for this blog post came from reading The Kane Chronicles (a trilogy of books in the universe of Percy Jackson centered around the Egyptian gods) simultaneously with the Nico Di Angelo Adventures. Both books have identity as a theme. Because of the shared theme, my original plan was to do a post about both. However, the two series take different angles on our identities and the stories (though in the same universe) don’t intersect. So now it’ll be a series of posts, starting with the Kane siblings.

Throughout The Kane Chronicles, Carter and Sadie Kane are forced to become master magicians in the course of six months to save the world and ma’at (the mystical force of order and harmony). Unlike the other Camp Half-Blood books and Magnus Chase, these books aren’t about demigods (the whole concept of how Egyptian gods function is different from the Greek, Roman, and Norse deities) but about Egyptian magicians descended from pharaohs.

As part of their training, they learn about the concept of “secret names” (or ren) that can essentially give you control over a person or a god. In “The Red Pyramid” they made it sound like a secret name is like a cheat code to hack someone’s free will. However, it’s not the words alone that give power.  The name must be given by the person or the person closest to them. 

During the events of “The Throne of Fire” the mythos of the ren expanded. In a moment of crisis, Sadie learned her brother’s secret name to save his life. This revelation taught Sadie the nature of the ren, as one of the five aspects of a person’s soul. The ren is a person’s deepest nature and life experiences. It’s your essence and power. To know someone’s secret name is to understand deeply their life’s story. In learning Carter’s name, she gained an embarrassing amount of insight to her brother’s heart. 

In her narration, Sadie claimed that while everyone has a secret name, most mortals don’t even know their own. The ignorance protects them from magical influences in the Riordanverse. However, from a gospel perspective, it made me wonder…

To some extent we can learn about our identity and essence through gaining a testimony of our divine nature and internalize that confidence. Naturally, our life experiences influence the development of how we perceive our mortal journey and they shape who we become. But all the therapy and mindfulness in the world will not reveal your “secret name” to you. For one thing, the bulk of our premortal experiences are veiled to our eyes. We literally cannot know everything about our identities. That’s why knowing someone’s secret name isn’t enough. It must be shared and learned, just as we must open our hearts to others in relationships and we must learn from our Heavenly Father who we are in His eyes. 

As I read about the ren in “The Throne of Fire”, I thought on a powerful experience I had as a missionary, helping me understand my divine nature. It’s too sacred for me to share in a blog post, but I’ll say this: even with that experience in mind, I’m far from knowing my secret name. I think we take our lives (premortal, mortal, and eternal) to understand our essence. As usual, a good place to start is by studying the scriptures, prayer, and attending the temple.

Edit: After writing this blog post, I listened to President Nelson’s counsel from this week’s Come Follow Me lesson, about using the correct name of the Church. Shortly after this talk was given, a dear friend and I were talking about it. With every awful thing going on in the world (including within the Church), why would President Nelson focus on a seemingly trivial thing? As our recently departed prophet taught in this General Conference sermon, it’s not trivial or inconsequential. Like was said in The Kane Chronicles, names have power. The Savior gave us the “secret name” of His Church. I believe with all my heart that if we focus on being the latter-day saints of Jesus Christ’s restored church, we would see changes in the Church and the world. Keeping our eyes Jesus will change our lives and our natures. As “I’m trying to be like Jesus”, I want to aim to become more Christ-like disciple and not just be a “Mormon”.

Children's Books Connections: Little Excavator

    Most of the books that I currently read are limited to less than 50 pages and are of the children’s book variety. Reading with my daughter and wife each evening is a great joy for me. I have recently been finding messages in these books that we read. I want to share a message that has stuck out to me recently. I have found variations of that message in some songs that I have been listening to as well.

One bedtime story that has been fun to read is Little Excavator by Anna Dewdney. I think it helps that my uncle has a big excavator that he has put to good use around his farm. Seeing the real life excavator has been fun for my daughter and contributes to her enjoyment with the excavator in the pages of this book. The book follows Little E, a mini excavator, around a job site. He tries to do what the other big machines are able to do, but is still too small to complete all the jobs. Fortunately, at the end of the story, there is a job that only Little E can do, which he completes and this phrase is used, “Good Job little excavator, time to take a bow. There is work to do just for you, here and now.”

This elicits thoughts of other phrases that share a similar message, such as the following from the song “Nobody” by Casting Crowns, “Well, the moral of the story is, everybody’s got a purpose.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yBzIt_z8oY

Or what about this from the song “Glorious” as sung by the One Voice Children's Choir: 

“Everyone plays a piece

In their own melodies

In each one of us

Oh it's glorious”

https://youtu.be/nomxXk6Q1rk?si=5isz6N4n3o9IAIAR

And lastly, this phrase from then Elder Holland in his April 2017 General Conference address: “To borrow a line quoted in the cheery correspondence of two remarkable Latter-day Saint women, “All God’s critters got a place in the choir.” (which is a reference to another song)

Sometimes, I do not feel I have a place. I feel out of place even when I feel like I should not feel that way. This can be terribly frustrating for me at times. And yet, I think the Lord wants to manifest Himself unto us. He does for, for me through these small and simple and yet impactful ways. I love what Nephi says in the end of the first chapter of the Book of Mormon: “But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.”

Elder Bednar is the first person I remember who highlighted the phrase, “tender mercies of the Lord.” I love when I can see those tender mercies in my life. I know they are more present than I give the Lord credit for. These phrases in this book and these songs and General Conference messages have become tender mercies for me and I hope they can become the same for you.

I am a Child of God; Therefore, What?

(Guest post by Spencer's dad)

Who are you? We are each many things depending on our family or employment and other chapters of our lives. President Russell M Nelson told the young adults of the church (May 2022) what our most important label should be.

“First: Know the truth about who you are. I believe that if the Lord were speaking to you directly tonight, the first thing He would make sure you understand is your true identity. My dear friends, you are literally spirit children of God. You have sung this truth since you learned the words to “I Am a Child of God.” But is that eternal truth imprinted upon your heart? Has this truth rescued you when confronted with temptation?”

He continued by describing labels that he once had “All other labels that have applied to me—such as a medical doctor, surgeon, researcher, professor, lieutenant, captain, PhD, American, and so forth —would fall somewhere down the list.”

Spencer with Papa at Master's Graduation

President Nelson goes on to describe a potentially negative label that could be applied to him. “Some might label me as an “old man.” But I’m a lot younger than Adam was —and Noah too. Agism, racism, nationalism, sexism, and a host of other -isms are universally limiting.”

Since I left on my young(er) mission (Feb 25, 1982) (42 years ago) I have watched (on video) or read every General Conference session. In 1982 Russell M Nelson was a heart surgeon. In 1985 he was called as a member of Quorum of Twelve. Each talk he has given in the last four years has been “his best talk ever” (according to me).

How much you and I would have lost had we labelled President Nelson as an old man!

President Nelson urged us to identify ourselves by three long term labels: “First and foremost, you are a child of God. Second, as a member of the Church, you are a child of the covenant. And third, you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.”

Like our eye glasses these identifiers changes help us more accurately see who we are and who others are. Some of our titles have not changed in decades father/mother, son/daughter, husband/wife, grandfather/grandmother, etc.

The practical responsibility of these eternal callings changes over time. When we pass into the next life we may find that these titles continue to adapt.

President Nelson concludes by saying “I am simply saying that no identifier should displace, replace, or take priority over these three enduring designations: “child of God,” “child of the covenant,” and "disciple of Jesus Christ.”

Ponder the first identifier - I am a Child of God. This song is beloved by church members of all ages.

I am a child of God - how does that affect how I see myself?

I am a child of God - how does that affect how I see my (imperfect, wonderful, sometimes annoying) family members?

I am a child of God - How does that affect how I see co-workers?

I am a child of God - How does that affect how I see other church members?

I am a child of God - How does that affect how I see strangers I meet each day?

Over the next ten days I will consider those questions. In two weeks I will write up some observations I made as I tried to see those around me?

Endgame Wisdom from Frigga

“Everyone fails at who they're supposed to be, Thor. The measure of a person, of a hero, is how well they succeed at being who they are.” --Frigga (Avengers: Endgame)

Last week my wife had her baby shower (only 11 weeks to go now!) and so while she was out I had a few friends over and we watched “Endgame”. It was the first time I’d seen it since theaters, so in some ways it was like watching it brand new all over again. As such, this line from Frigga struck me.

In a world that praises “authenticity” we get so many messages about who we’re supposed to be. These can be as “superficial” as how we’re supposed to look or how we’re supposed to act, but it also extends to how we live the commandments. Too often the world of “authenticity” tells us we’re supposed to live on our impulses, breaking the commandments. The law of chastity and the word of wisdom are two that particular get put under scrutiny. To live as the natural man too often gets equated with living authentically.

However, that’s not who we are. Never mind that we are instructed to “[put] off the off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ” (Mosiah 3:19) but the natural man isn’t even who we are to begin with. Since the beginning, we are the children of God. Those of us who grew up in the church have sung about it basically since birth. It was also reiterated just a couple weeks ago in General Conference with the revised Young Women’s motto.

“I am a beloved [child] of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny.”

As much as we “are” who we’re supposed to be in the world, we’ll never live up to our eternal potential if we stay that way. As Frigga said, the measure of ourselves is how we succeed at who we are, children of God. Of course we’ll stumble along the way. But that’s okay. There’s always a way back to Him and to reach our divine potential.

“God knows that you are not perfect, that you will fail at times. God loves you no less when you struggle than when you triumph.” -- Elder Uchtdorf (General Conference Oct 2019)