This is the first of a series of posts I’ll be doing from the new Gospel Principles manual that the Church released this year, and I find it so wonderfully appropriate that they chose to begin the 47 lessons found inside with a lesson on God, his nature, and how we can come to know Him. Through such sources as the Bible, Book of Mormon, and modern revelation we have come to learn so many wonderful things about God that help define him as not just the Almighty Rules of the Universe, but truly our Father in Heaven.

There are so many things in this world that testify to me that God is real, and that He loves us and is involved in our individual lives. In our Relief Society lesson today an astronomy buff mentioned how much she loves the Hubble telescope website, and how the images she finds on the site testify to her personally that God is real. Aren’t these images wondrous?

We don’t have to look to space for evidence of God’s artistry however. One of my favorite Primary songs is entitled “My Heavenly Father Loves Me” and describes some of the daily reminders we can seek out to remind us of God’s love for His children.

A prophet in the Book of Mormon named Alma wrote:

“All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator” (Alma 30:44).

To me one of the most beautiful testaments that God is real can be found in the form of a newborn baby. As I feel these little kicks and movements inside of me I am overcome by what a miracle it is.

Image by Kelli Nicole Photography

We believe that God dwells in Heaven, and that we as spirit children once lived with Him there. Through Jesus Christ, God created the heavens and the earth and all thing that are in them (see 3 Nephi 9:15; Moses 2:1). He created man in His own image to be a ruler over His other creations such as the earth and the animals that live upon it (see Genesis 1:26–27). God is not a shapeless unrelatable being. He has a face we would recognize if we were to see Him. He is our Father, the Great Parent of the universe!

I believe that God is the literal Father of my soul, and I often look to Him for guidance and support in much the same way I would when seeking support from my earthly Father. When I pray, I am praying to my Father in Haven. I plead with him in a very familiar, yet respectful way. I know he is actively listening. I celebrate my triumphs, and I feel as though we mourn my failures together.

Because we are made in His image (see Moses 2:26; 6:9), we know that our bodies are like His body. His eternal spirit is housed in a tangible body of flesh and bones (see D&C 130:22). God’s body, however, is perfected and glorified, with a glory beyond all description.

God is perfect. God is full of goodness, and all good things come from Him. His ultimate purpose is our salvation:

“Behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

How can we feel God’s love for us? We must work to come to know Him. The more we know Him, the more we will want to obey His commandments so that we might be with Him again. How can we do this?

• 1. Believe that He exists and that He loves us (see Mosiah 4:9).
• 2. Study the scriptures (see 2 Timothy 3:14–17).
• 3. Pray to Him (see James 1:5).
• 4. Obey all His commandments as best we can (see John 14:21–23).

Though I am far from perfect I am constantly working to do these things, and I can see and feel the difference they make in my life. My relationship with God sustains me. I know that eternal life and the opportunity to return to live with my Father in Heaven once again is indeed possible. I wake up each morning and offer a prayer thanking God for the opportunity to live one more day, to in some way grow closer to Him. I am His daughter. He knows and loves me. I feel it. I know it.

Also:

• LDS Leadership Hierarchy
• 13th Article of Faith: Honest, True, Chaste
• Praying To Our Heavenly Father