Remember Who You Are

I come from a multicultural family. My brother married a Japanese girl. My sister married an African-American man. And I married my husband, who is from Mexico. Jorge and I attend a Spanish-speaking ward comprised of people from many different countries.

I love the diversity of backgrounds. It has greatly enriched my life to know people from many different ethnicities and cultures and from many different walks of life, and I have learned so much from all of them. I'm sure you are all learning from each other and are greatly blessed by the diversity of this special place. We are all different, but what will unite us more than anything else is to remember who we are as daughters and sons of Heavenly Parents. We are spiritual brothers and sisters, no matter where we come from.

Our prophet, President Russell Nelson, said this in a young adult devotional several years ago:“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?”ⁱⁱ

It is so important that you always remember who you are, because Satan and the world will try to confuse you. They will try to convince you that you are just a child of this world and that it doesn’t matter how you live or what you do. But it does matter. You are children of the Most High God, and you are not here by chance. You have an important mission and purpose for being here on earth at this time.

Now, I have a question for you. Who remembers watching The Lion King? The original one—not the one that just came out, but the original one from the ’90s. Who remembers watching that movie? I think all of us have watched The Lion King.

In a devotional he gave at BYU in 2011, President Thomas S. Monson—he was the prophet at the time—said this:
“Over the years, I have enjoyed collecting gems of wisdom from movies and musicals. I always have with me a pen and a piece of paper so that I can write down any quotes I might find worthwhile. I have quite a collection. On one occasion, some years ago, I was watching the animated movie The Lion King with a few of my grandchildren. I took many notes, for I found lessons there.”ⁱⁱⁱ

So I think I'm on safe ground talking about a few lessons from The Lion King—if President Monson did! As I do, I want you to think about the symbolism of the story and how it relates to you.

At the beginning of the movie, we see all the animals traveling to see the new prince that had been born to King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi. Do you remember the lion cub's name? What was his name? Simba.

A ceremony took place to anoint Simba to become the future king, and he was presented to all the animals of the kingdom. Then we see Simba begin to grow. His father teaches him many lessons because one day he will become king.

But there is another who wants to be king. Do you remember who that was? Scar—Mufasa’s brother. He’s a symbol of Satan. He thinks the kingdom should be his. He hates Simba, and he makes a plan to kill King Mufasa and makes Simba believe it is his fault. Mufasa dies in a stampede, and Simba runs away, thinking that he’s the cause of his father’s death.

We next see Simba lying in the desert, half-dead. But two animals find him. Who are they? Timon and Pumbaa. Yes, you remember! And Simba grows up in their care. They teach him to live by their motto, which is Hakuna Matata—which means no worries, no responsibility. Just live a problem-free life, do whatever it is you want to do—no responsibilities.

All the animals back in the kingdom think both Mufasa and Simba have died, and they accept Scar as their new king. But over time, Scar and the hyenas ruin the kingdom, and all the animals are dying of starvation. Simba's childhood friend—who is she? Nala. Nala goes out in search of help and ends up finding Simba. She’s filled with joy to find him alive, and she pleads with him to come home and take his rightful place as king so that he can save the kingdom from Scar. But Simba tells her, “I’m not the king. Scar is the king. Hakuna Matata!”Simba had forgotten who he was and his birthright responsibilities as the son of the king and heir to the throne.

Simba later encounters Rafiki, the baboon who was Mufasa’s spiritual guide and who had anointed Simba as a newborn to become the future king. Rafiki leads him to a special place where the spirit of his father, King Mufasa, appears to him and says: “Simba, you have forgotten me.”And Simba responds: “No! I could never forget you.”And then his father says this: “You have forgotten who you are, and so you have forgotten me. Look inside yourself, Simba. You are more than what you have become.”

As it becomes imprinted on Simba’s heart who he really is—the son of the king and the rightful heir—he gains strength and determination and returns home to fight Scar. Almost losing his own life, but persevering to the end, he saves the kingdom and takes his place as king. Remembering the truth of who he was rescued him when faced with the temptation to live the world’s way. Remembering who he was also rescued him by giving him the strength and the courage to return home, to fight evil, and save his father’s kingdom.

There are many lessons to learn from this movie when you watch with spiritual eyes and listen with spiritual ears and think about it in terms of who you are and what you were sent to do. I would invite you to go watch this movie again—the original one—and watch with spiritual eyes and listen with spiritual ears, and think about what it means for you. Satan and the world want you to live by the motto Hakuna Matata. They want you to believe that you should live your life without responsibility for anyone or anything. They want you to go after the world’s idols—gold and silver, fame and fortune, entertainment and ease. They want you to forget that you are covenant sons and daughters, birthright sons and daughters of the Great King of the universe, and that you have an important mission and purpose on this earth.

There is an analogy that I like to use, that some may have already heard, because I use this quite often when I’m speaking with youth or young adults—but I think it teaches a good lesson. It’s an analogy that can help you better understand who you are and the important purpose you have. Think about a championship sports competition, such as the final game of the World Cup or the Super Bowl. In the last minutes of that championship game, if the score is very close, which of his players is a coach going to put in to increase their chances of winning? His best players, of course—the players he has the most confidence in. He would be foolish not to do that.

Now I want you to think about this: As covenant sons and daughters of God, you have been sent to earth in the final part of the latter days—the final minutes of the championship game—when the battle between good and evil is the fiercest it’s ever been, when the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been, when the battle is the most heated it’s ever been. Because Satan knows he doesn’t have much time left. You have been sent at this time and for this time.

What does that say about who you are? What does that say about who you were before you came to earth, and the confidence your Father in Heaven had in you to send you at this time? What does that say about your purpose and mission for being here?

Our dear prophet declared in a worldwide youth devotional in 2018: “Our Heavenly Father has reserved many of His most noble spirits—perhaps I might say His finest team—for this final phase. Those noble spirits, those finest players, those heroes… are you. You are the hope of Israel, children of the promised day.”^v

And another Church leader said this in a BYU devotional: “Do you think God would have left the last days to chance by sending men and women He couldn’t count on? You were sent now because our Father’s most trustworthy children would be needed in the final decisive battle for righteousness. That is who you are. And it is who you have always been.”^vi

I testify that what they said is true. You have been sent here to fight in the final championship battle between good and evil, when the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. You are some of our Father’s most noble spirits—His finest team. You are latter-day covenant sons and daughters of God—birthright sons and daughters of God—children of the promised day. We need you. The world needs you. And the Lord is counting on you.

Please do not live your life by the motto of Hakuna Matata. Please go out and lift and influence the world for good as covenant children of God and as disciples of Jesus Christ. Don’t allow Satan and the voices of the world to negatively influence you and convince you that you are merely sons and daughters of men, as he tried to do with Moses—after God had personally told Moses three times that he was His son. I invite you to go and read about that in Moses 1:1–22. It will help you see the power you can have over Satan and his influence when you understand, deep in your heart, that you are a beloved son or daughter of God.

It will be tempting for you to go after the world’s idols. But remember who you are—and who you were before you came to this earth. What your Father in Heaven has to offer you will bring lasting peace, joy, and happiness—not only here, but into the eternities. In the Bible we read: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.”

You are sons and daughters of a King. So, nothing the world has to offer you can compare to what He desires to give you. And He can deliver on His promises in a way the world never can. But Satan will never stop trying to convince you otherwise. Be very careful to stay close to your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ so you won’t be deceived. Satan has thousands of years of experience deceiving God’s sons and daughters, and he is very good at it. He can make a path that will ultimately lead to regret or even heartache look enticing. You alone are no match for him. Stay firmly connected to God and His promises of divine power and protection through your covenant relationship with Him. Seek daily to access the blessings of the Savior’s Atonement.

Remembering who he was gave Simba the strength and courage to battle evil and win. This was a great song that we sang at the beginning. That third verse—I loved: “Fighting for a kingdom, and the world is our foe.”That is what you are doing too. And choosing to believe that you are a valiant, courageous, and strong son or daughter of God—that was saved to come to the earth at this time, and that you have a divine purpose and mission—can give you strength as well as you fight your own battles with the adversary. It can change the way you view everything and give you courage for the uncertainties you face now and that you will face in the future. It can give you power over the convincing voices of the world about what will bring you true happiness, joy, and fulfillment.

Do you remember what President Nelson said in his first talk as President of the Church in 2018? “Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”

“My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation.”^ix

What must this prophet, seer, and revelator see coming that is causing him to plead with us to increase our spiritual capacity to receive revelation? What must he see coming that causes him to warn us that we will not survive spiritually without the guiding, comforting, directing, constant influence of the Holy Ghost?

In his conference talk last October, President Nelson said: “My decision to follow Jesus Christ is the most important decision I have ever made. That choice has made all the difference! That decision has made so many other decisions easier. That decision has given me purpose and direction. It has also helped me weather the storms of life.”^x

It is vitally important that we develop the daily habits that will help us hear the voice of the Spirit and be guided by the Savior.I want to share a video with you which will help you understand the importance of that daily connection with the Savior and your Father in Heaven.

(Note: A video presentation plays here, titled “Daily Restoration”

The following is a transcript of the video

They took participants out into a very dense forest. They put a GPS tracker on everyone. They were given simple instructions: Walk in a straight line. Straight, straight, straight—as straight as you can.
There’s an oft-repeated theory that people who are lost walk in circles. Not long ago, scientists tested that theory.
Each participant had no doubt in their mind that they would be able to walk a straight path, but it was very dense, so it’s not like they had major landmarks that they could go off of. Everything pretty much looked the same.
“How do you feel like you did?” “Well... pretty good. Pretty sure I went straight the whole time.” But the GPS told a different story.
“These are your results.” “Wait—what? No way! So I took the scenic route?”
They really thought they were doing good. They had no idea—because they were in a forest with no landmarks around.
Without reliable landmarks, we drift off course.
This, of course, applies to us physically. It also applies to us spiritually. It can be so easy to get off track because we don’t realize when we are drifting. We don’t realize when we are taking small steps away.
“At the time, I didn’t think there was anything wrong, because I was living my life for me. Church became something that wasn’t of importance, and we just started to not go.” “At 14, I was kicked out of my mom’s home. I was drinking. I was smoking weed with my friends. I didn’t feel like anyone cared.”
And it can be really easy to ignore because you don’t want to think deeply about what is happening in your spiritual life.
I don’t think this experiment was to say that when you go in circles, you’re never going to come back. People can come back, and they can change. Just as small little things can lead us off the path, small little things can also lead us back on the path.
When darkness creeps into our lives, our daily restoration opens our hearts to heavenly light, which illuminates our souls, chasing away shadows, fears, and doubts.
I loved when Elder Victor said:
“Do you want to change the shape of your life? Change the shape of your day.”
Through daily prayer and daily scripture study, I’ve really found that the Savior comes to me in those moments—and I really ask, “Heavenly Father, what is it that You would have me know and do this day?”
Daily restoration means daily repentance—trying to be better, trying to move in the right direction. And He will hold your hand to take you to where you need to be.
In the scriptures, I try to find references that speak more to me personally, that can kind of help and guide me through my individual trials. I love pondering and meditating about Christ’s plan for me.
I want to be led by the Spirit—daily, hourly—because I know that’s when I’m my most happy. It’s up to us each day to make these small, simple decisions to slowly realign ourselves with what the Lord wants. Those small acts bring me so much peace and so much more joy in my life than on days where I might forget.
“It just felt like a weight was taken off my shoulders.” “My relationship with my family, with colleagues at work... my days seemed to just go much smoother.” “I remember the peace and the ultimate joy that I felt, thinking that I finally found something that can bring me the happiness that I so badly needed.”
No matter how old we are, no matter how much experience we have, no one is exempt from needing guidance from a higher power—someone who can see the whole forest.
What I love about Jesus Christ is: it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve sinned. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve made the same sin. If you continually look for Him, and look for Him to take the burden—and you repent of that, if you try to just get rid of it—He’ll take it every single time. He’ll never not take it.
We all drift from time to time. We need an ongoing, daily infusion of heavenly light. We need times of refreshing—times of personal restoration.

I bear my personal witness that God is among us—that He will surely draw near to all who draw near to Him.

RETURN TO SISTER DENNIS’ MESSAGE:

Can you see why it’s so important not to neglect the small, daily habits that will keep you connected to Jesus Christ and His restored gospel? That includes daily repentance, which means daily change—becoming better every day. A daily course correction. A daily turning back to Christ that all of us need, including me. If we don’t do that, small things can get us off course so easily. What a gift repentance is. What a blessing the Savior’s Atonement can be in our lives—if we choose to use it.

The most important way we can deepen our connection to the Savior and increase our confidence in Him is through our covenant relationship with Him and our Father in Heaven. In his most recent conference talk, President Nelson said this: “Disciples of Jesus Christ have access to a different kind of confidence. When we make and keep covenants with God, we can have confidence that is born of the Spirit.”^xi

President Nelson has spoken repeatedly about covenants—for decades—and especially since becoming President of the Church. Why is making and keeping covenants with God so important? One of my favorite verses of scripture tells us why. It’s found in Helaman 5:12:

“And now, my sons—and I would add, my daughters—remember, that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation. That when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind; yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless woe, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men and women build, they cannot fall.”

President Nelson has said:“My dear brothers and sisters, these are the latter days. If you and I are to withstand the forthcoming perils and pressures, it is imperative that we each have a firm spiritual foundation built upon the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

“The temple lies at the center of strengthening our faith and spiritual fortitude because the Savior and His doctrine are the very heart of the temple…His essential ordinances bind us to Him through sacred priesthood covenants. Then, as we keep our covenants, He endows us with His healing, strengthening power. And oh, how we will need His power in the days ahead.”^xii

Did you hear what a prophet of God is telling us?"Oh, how we will need God’s power in the days ahead."What must he see coming that he would say that? I hope the Spirit is witnessing to each of you that this is true. That you will need God’s power in the days ahead.

President Nelson has told us that “understanding the spiritual privileges made possible in the temple is vital to each of us today.”^xiiiSo I would like to help you understand some of the privileges and blessings of making and keeping covenants with our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ in the house of the Lord. I will do that by sharing some of the things our prophet has said since he became President of the Church.

“Every man and every woman who participates in priesthood ordinances and makes and keeps covenants with God has direct access to the power of God.”^xiv
“Those who are endowed in the house of the Lord receive a gift of God’s priesthood power by virtue of their covenants… The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood… Sisters, you have the right to draw liberally upon the Savior’s power...”^xv

“Satan certainly does not want you to understand that every time you worthily serve and worship in the temple, you leave armed with God’s power and with His angels having ‘charge over’ you.”^xvi

“The reward for keeping covenants with God is heavenly power—power that strengthens us to withstand our trials, temptations, and heartaches better. This power eases our way. Those who live the higher laws of Jesus Christ have access to His higher power…”^xvii

In Mosiah chapters 23 and 24, we see an inspiring example of how we, as children of the covenant can have direct access to heavenly power to help us in very difficult circumstances. Alma, one of the wicked priests of King Noah, was the only one that we know of who was converted to the Lord upon hearing the prophet Abinadi preach repentance to the people there. He secretly taught and baptized others, and later they fled into the wilderness when King Noah sent his armies to destroy them.

After some time of living together in peace, they found themselves in very difficult bondage to the Lamanites and, ironically, to the wicked priests of King Noah, whom the Lamanites had put over them as taskmasters. Many heavy burdens were put upon them, and the wicked priests persecuted them. Even the children of the wicked priests persecuted the children of Alma’s people. Alma’s people cried to the Lord in their hearts, because they were threatened with death if they were found praying.

Then we read this: “The voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: ‘Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage. And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage.’”^xviii

The Lord didn’t immediately take them out of bondage. but because of the covenant they had made with Him, He filled them with His power, and they were strengthened to such a point that the heavy burdens they were still carrying felt light. They could bear their burdens with ease, and it says they submitted cheerfully and with all patience to the will of the Lord until He finally took them out of bondage. It’s an amazing story. Couldn’t we all use that kind of strengthening power so that the burdens we must carry feel light? So that they won’t feel so heavy? That is the power God makes available to us through covenants with Him.

Now, continuing with President Nelson’s words:

“To each of you who has made temple covenants, I plead with you to understand them. Spiritual doors will open. You will learn how to part the veil between heaven and earth, how to ask for God’s angels to attend you, and how better to receive direction from heaven.”^xix

What incredible blessings we have access to through our covenants with God!

President Nelson also said: “I would urge you not to wait until marriage to be endowed in the house of the Lord. Begin now to learn and experience what it means to be armed with priesthood power”^xx- both men and women.

Sisters, I hope you are understanding this. You may have times in your life when you don’t have a priesthood holder in your home. But if you have made covenants with God in His holy house, you have an endowment of His power upon you—His priesthood power. God’s power that you can access through honoring those covenants.

We need to understand that we all need these blessings in our lives. If there are any here who have not yet received your temple endowment, I invite you to ask your Father in Heaven if it’s time for you to prepare to make those special covenants with Him and with the Savior in the house of the Lord. If the Spirit whispers to you that it’s time, I invite you to speak with your bishop and let him know you’d like to begin preparing. He can help you.

As our prophet has said: “Understanding the spiritual privileges made possible in the temple is vital to each of us today.”^xxi So I invite you, over the next few months, to study these five talks of our prophet. I’m not saying do it today. I’m not saying do it next week. I’m saying over the next few months, okay? I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed. But take a picture of these five talks. And over the next few months—study them.

And I have an invitation for you concerning these talks. So as soon as you’re done taking those pictures, I want you to listen to me and get this invitation. I invite you to look for all the promises, blessings, privileges, and power that President Nelson has talked about that are available to you through making and keeping covenants with God. And then, put all that you find in those five talks into a single document. And add any of his other talks that you read, because he talks about it all the time—in every one of his talks. Add it to that document. You will be amazed at what the Lord is offering you, and the strength and protection it will give you. Our Father in Heaven wants us to understand the blessings that can come to us through a deeper covenant relationship with Him and the Savior.

President Nelson has said: “Jesus Christ took upon Himself your sins, your pains, your heartaches, and your infirmities. You do not have to bear them alone. He will forgive you as you repent. He will bless you with what you need. He will heal your wounded soul. As you yoke yourself to Him, your burdens will feel lighter. If you make and keep covenants to follow Jesus Christ, you will find that the painful moments of your life are temporary. Your afflictions will be swallowed up in the joy of Christ.”^xxii

I testify that as we build upon the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, through a covenant relationship with Him and our Father in Heaven, we cannot fall. There may be times of great uncertainty—when we must make a choice to walk forward into the dark, not feeling sure that He is even there. I’ve personally had those times. But as I have made the choice to believe and to walk forward with faith and trust in Him—despite my uncertainty—the light has eventually come. And because I chose to trust Him through those times of uncertainty, and have chosen a covenant relationship with Him, the roots of my faith in Him have grown much stronger and deeper.

Listen to these comforting words in the book of Isaiah: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.“^xxiii

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.”^xxiv

And in the Doctrine and Covenants:“Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”^xxv

As we choose a covenant relationship with God, we are inviting Him to be more deeply involved in our lives. And as we honor our covenants with Him,He promises that He’ll never abandon His relationship with us.” ^xxvi
This is another promise President Nelson talked about in one of those talks: He’ll never abandon His relationship with us. He’ll never stop helping us. And He will never exhaust His merciful patience with us. What beautiful blessings.

Your Heavenly Father is mindful of you and your circumstances; He knows you and He loves you. You are important to Him, because you are His child. I hope you can feel the Savior’s love for you.I hope you will remember that His Atonement is for you. President Nelson has said: “There is no limit to the Savior’s capacity to help you. His incomprehensible suffering in Gethsemane and on Calvary was for you. His infinite Atonement is for you.”^xxvii

I pray that each of you will remember who you are. Are you more than what you have become? Look inside yourself. You are a beloved covenant child of God. And His promises are sure. Please stay connected to your Savior as you go through the storms of life— as well as through the calm times of life. Don’t let go of Him. Jesus Christ is your iron rod.^xxviii

And He will lead you safely home.

Of this I bear witness, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Footnotes:
ⁱ The Family Proclamation
ⁱⁱ See Russell M. Nelson, “Choices for Eternity,” Worldwide Young Adult Devotional, May 15, 2022.
iii See Thomas S. Monson, “Be a Light to the World,” BYU Speeches, Nov. 1, 2011.
^iv See Brad Wilcox, “Oh, Youth of the Noble Birthright,” Liahona, Nov. 2024.
^v See Russell M. Nelson, “Hope of Israel,” Worldwide Youth Devotional, June 3, 2018.
^vi See Sheri Dew, “You Were Born to Lead, You Were Born for Glory,” BYU Speeches, Dec. 9, 2003.
^vii See Moses 1:12.
^viii See 1 Cor. 2:9.
^ix See Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Liahona, May 2018.
^x See Russell M. Nelson, “The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again,” Liahona, Nov. 2024.
^xi See Russell M. Nelson, “Confidence in the Presence of God,” Liahona, May 2025.
^xii See Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021.
^xiii See Russell M. Nelson, “Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys,” Liahona, May 2024.
^xiv See Russell M. Nelson, “The Everlasting Covenant,” Liahona, October 2022.
^xv See Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures,” Liahona, November 2019
^xvi See Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures,” Liahona, November 2019
^xvii See Russell M. Nelson, “Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Liahona, Nov. 2022.
^xviii See Mosiah 24:13-14.
^xix See Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021.
^xx See Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021.
^xxi See Russell M. Nelson, “Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys,” Liahona, May 2024
^xxii See Russell M. Nelson, “The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again,” Liahona, Nov. 2024.
^xxiii Isaiah 41:10.
^xxiv Isaiah 43:2-3.
^xxv See Doctrine and Covenants 6:36.
^xxvi See Russell M. Nelson, “The Everlasting Covenant,” Liahona, October 2022.
^{xxvi i}See Russell M. Nelson, “The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again,” Liahona, Nov. 2024.
^xxviii See John 1:1 and heading.