Our True Identity

Sometimes we get lost in this life. We get lost in what the world tells us we need to be; what the world tells us we should look like; and how we should act. It is easy to get lost in the world if we loose sight of the big picture.

I have struggled with this. In some ways I believe I am still finding out who I am. But learning about my past, my genealogy, has helped me understand more of who I am today.

When they say there is a link from the present to the past and from the past to the present, it is real. Our history helps us know more about the present than anything in this world could tells us. Tonight this sunk deep into my heart.

A family member compiled a book containing a partial history of my Grandma Lee's side of the family. There I learned how quickly my family accepted the gospel; how faithful they were in the face of persecution; how they walked and talked with Joseph Smith and other leaders; how they came across the planes in companies like the Martin Handcart Company; and how they sacrificed to build and protect Zion in the West.

One of my ancestors was offered a very lucrative job in he would "quit Mormonism." He said no. Another loaded up his family in a covered wagon and walked them across the frozen Mississippi with rifle in hand watching their backs. Other family members were blessed to come to the United States via the Perpetual Emigration Fund.

But most of all, I think their faithfulness to the gospel has sunk deepest into my heart. They loved the gospel and gave everything they had for it. So many times they lost farms and property to their neighbors who were also part of the mobs.

One family member was wrongly accused of murder and consequently disfellowshipped. He held true to what he knew and continued to live and love the Gospel. It wasn't until years later that his membership was reinstated by Orson Hyde; and he was later faced with the man who caused him so much grief at his doorstep asking for help. This man couldn't even look my ancestor in the eye. But he was welcomed with open arms and a loving spirit into his home.

How many of us would have such a heart? How many of us would be able to look beyond human faults and see the Child of God standing before us? I feel a great peace and a great calm about where I come from.

When we come to understand "Our True Identity", we will have a greater appreciation for what we have in our lives. It will also help us understand more the will of God in our behalf.

Learn about who you are! ... who you really are!