Referring to Jesus Christ, Doctrine and Covenants 88:6-13 reads:
6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;
7 Which truth
shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.
8 As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;
9 As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made;
10 And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.
11 And the light which
shineth, which
giveth you light, is through him who
enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that
quickeneth your understanding;
12 Which light
proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—
13 The light which is in all things, which
giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who
sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.
I cannot remember what lead me to this verse, but I remember how I felt then and how I feel now. I felt that even through all my years of studying the scriptures and learning about God and Jesus Christ, through all the witnesses I have had about their existence and love by the power of the Holy Ghost, feeling their presence and forgiveness, my understanding of their glory, power, and purity was no more than that of a newborn baby. I can say that I
know they are glorious. I
know they are Omnipotent. I
know they are pure. But I do not have the slightest idea as to the
extent of these characteristics.
Several weeks went by and I came across this quote by the Prophet Joseph Smith:
"I cannot believe in any of the creeds of the different denominations, because they all have some things in them I cannot subscribe to, though all of them have some truth. I want to come up into the presence of God, and learn all things; but the creeds set up stakes [limits], and say, ‘Hitherto shalt thou come, and no further’ [Job 38:11]; which I cannot subscribe to."
"I say to all those who are disposed to set up stakes for the Almighty, You will come short of the glory of God." ( Chapter 22: Gaining Knowledge of Eternal Truths,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007), 264).
This just confirmed to me what I had felt; that I cannot now comprehend the glory of God. However, I know that I can learn little by little through experience and further witnesses of the Holy Ghost. And eventually, I hope that I can know Him. For now, I am content to appreciate His greatness and will try to "feast upon the words of Christ" (2
Nephi 32:3) that I may come to know Him more completely so I can "love Him more deeply and obey Him more completely." (The Grandeur of God, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, (Oct. 2003 General Conference)).
Although my understanding is limited, I know that God lives. That we are His children and He is keenly aware of each of us. I know that Jesus Christ is His literal Son and the Savior and Redeemer of the world. I also know that we can come to know Him and His Son, by obedience and prayer. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (St. John 17:3). I love the children's song, Beautiful Savior, and I want to end with that. I love God and His Son. They
are beautiful and I thank Them for showing me, an imperfect and sometimes
rebellious son, mercy and love.
Beautiful Savior:
Fair is the sunshine,Fairer the moonlightAnd all the stars in heav'n above.Jesus shines brighter,Jesus shines purerAnd brings to all the world his love.Fair are the meadows,Fairer the woodlands,Robbed in the flowers of blooming spring.Jesus is fairer,Jesus is purer.He makes the sorrowing spirit sing.Beautiful Savior!Lord of the nations!Son of God and Son of Man!Thee will I honor, praise, and give glory,Give praise and glory evermore!