A few weeks ago Elder Callister spoke at BYU Education Week and gave an address that should certainly go in the yearbook of notable speeches. His topic was the destiny and identity of each of us. Starting with the question raised in a recent General Authority training, he quoted Elder Nelson’s response to the question of how to help youth avoid pornography: “Teach them their identity and their purpose.” As Elder Callister pointed out, this answer is not only a response to that particular problem but an answer to most of our challenges in life. He then proceeds to establish this principle through history, scripture, poetry, and reason. He also illustrates the reason Adam had to fall, to shift out of “neutral gear,” and that innocence is not the same as perfection.
How much philosophy and stress is rendered irrelevant by this understanding? How much are our confidence and direction amplified? Consider fully the implications of being not a spirit creation of God, but rather a spirit child of God.
You can find the entire talk here: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/tad-r-callister_our-identity-and-our-destiny/