Our Identity and Our Destiny | Tad R. Callister | 2012

As a literal spirit child of God, we each have a divine identity which comes with a divine destiny - the potential to strive for godhood and to become like our Father.
Sections:
Introduction - 0:34
Our Quest for Godhead - 7:44
Scriptures - 9:02
Early Christian Writers - 16:50
Poets and Authors - 19:21
Logic - 21:10
Voice of History - 23:35
The Divine Possibility Becomes a Divine Reality - 26:38
Read and download the full BYU devotional at the BYU Speeches website: speeches.byu.edu/talks/tad-r-...
Tad R. Callister was a member of the Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this devotional address was given on 14 August 2012.
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Complete volumes of Speeches are available wherever LDS books are sold.
"Second, early Christian writers likewise wrote of our divine destiny.9 As early as the second century, Irenaeus (A.D. 115-202) noted: “We have not been made gods from the beginning, but at first merely men, then at length gods.”10 On another occasion Irenaeus clarified that exalted man would not be relegated to some type of glorified angel but literally become a god: “Passing beyond the angels, and be made after the image and likeness of God.”11
Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 160-200), a contemporary of Irenaeus, spoke of the reward of godhood that followed long preparation: “Being destined to sit on thrones with the other gods that have been first put in their places by the Saviour.”12 This same Clement of Alexandria then added this unequivocal statement about the man who lives a righteous life: “Knowing God, he will be made like God. . . . And that man becomes God, since God so wills.”13
Hippolytus (A.D. 170-236), bridging the second and third centuries, spoke of the unlimited potential of faithful Saints in this life: “And thou shalt be a companion of the Deity, and a co-heir with Christ. . . . For thou hast become God: . . . thou hast been deified,and begotten unto immortality.”14
Cyprian (A.D. 200-258), a well-known Christian leader of the third century, reaffirmed that men can become like Christ: “What Christ is, we Christians shall be, if we imitate Christ.”15
Origen (A.D. 185-255), also of the third century, wrote: “The true God [referring to the Father], then, is ‘The God,’ and those who are formed after Him are gods, images, as it were, of Him the prototype.”16
And in the fourth century St. Athanasius of Alexandria (A.D. 295-373) explained that “[God] was made flesh in order that we might be enabled to be made gods.”17
For several centuries this doctrinal truth survived, but eventually the Apostasy took its toll, and this doctrine in its purity and expansiveness was lost. The doctrine of man’s potential for godhood as taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith was not his invention-not his creation, not conjured up by some fertile mind. It was simply and solely a restoration of a glorious truth that had been taught in the scriptures and by many early Christian writers of the primitive Church."
-Tad R. Callister

[@3DMOVIES4YOU]

I fell away from this Church for a couple of years and then I went to an Open House of a Temple before it was dedicated and I had hardened my heart before I started to go into the Temple and thought that I wasn't going to be fooled because it was going to be beautiful inside etc. .......I wasn't going to be fooled........ The first room I went to inside the Temple, something happened to me....... the spirit was so strong that it came completely around me and let me know that it was all true and it was that day that I put away my studies of anti-mormon false doctrine and I have zero desire to go back again and subject myself to such evil crap.... ........ I love this Church once again and know that the doctrine is wonderful and true. I have no doubt that this Church has more truth and answers than any Church upon the face of this Earth. I bought old General Conference talks on dvd on ebay and I watched over 600 hours of talks and music .......it was so uplifting to me to watch these. Tad Callister speaks the truth and I'm thankful to him for giving this talk.

[@sei1391]

I'm glad you're back brother

[@3DMOVIES4YOU]

@@sei1391 Thank you for your kindness.

[@ritayutubeful2]

That is so wonderful! So glad to hear that you are back in the fold.:)

[@SteveGovern]

Elder Callister brings it every time. Perfect mix of intellectual and spiritual. And no apologies - just humble yet bold declarations of truth.

[@dinahpreston7293]

SISTER DINAH PRESTON SAYS ELDER CALLISTER GAVE AN EXCELLANT TALK.

[@cici7739]

Right on, completely agree 👌🏽

[@sarahlilledal5]

...»There are no ordinary people. Only potential Gods and Goddesses in our midst.» Amazing truth!🙏

[@kennethyoung7564]

I wish he was called to be an apostle so I could hear him every conference. Not my call to make though. I need to overcome laziness, procrastination, and lust! I am a son of God! May God give me the gifts to overcome these things.

[@stalincespedes5093]

That was my desire too

[@DavidJohnson-tv2qq]

Basically summarizes what every man needs to overcome. 😭😂

[@galengallardomusic5412]

@@dcarts5616 I am with you!

[@brandonevans6770]

I have the pleasure of my brother marrying his granddaughter!!! What a wonderful man. So very humble as well.

[@joshuatorkornoo1620]

He is still been cooked. At God's own time it will happen, if it is in God's divine design in this mortality.

[@alichuntz3763]

I appreciate this talk from Bro Callister. He’s inspiring.

[@4pinky2011]

"I AM A SON OF GOD"

[@DavidJohnson-tv2qq]

Yessir.

[@cameronscott7304]

"Innocence and perfection are not the same thing."

[@davidlyman5155]

Right... and your point is?

[@DavidJohnson-tv2qq]

@@davidlyman5155 I think he was just making a note from the talk.

[@TheHandymanbil]

If you think about it, he is just summering the whole talk. A full sermon in that one sentence.

[@larrysteimle2004]

Everyone should watch this, listen carefully, think about it...and watch it every year...at least.

[@CrossFitTRG]

Time to watch again Larry

[@mader348]

Brother is laying it out there, you can't deny his words. Gratitude and thanks.🙏

[@loenearbuckle6604]

I love Elder Callister’s insight into our existence and our personal mission.

[@selehoching8737]

If we can listen to this, even if only logically, the truth that the human race is literally the offspring of an infinate Father in Heaven. Of the Almighty God. What father would wish for his child to fail to rach the hight of his or her full potential. To at the very least, surpass what was accomplished by their earthly parents achievements? Yet, since our heavenly father cannot be surpassed, His perfect love desires us to obtain his measure of happiness, which is He experiences. Absolute perfect happiness.

[@NicoleMD8]

I finally have a greater understanding of the Fall. Adam and Eve were innocent, not perfect.

[@Golden_red6]

Thank you!

[@zionappleshoulder]

love this guy

[@michaelgregson8341]

Incredible talk... How do we live with purpose unless we know what our true Identity and purpose really is? I appreciate all of the biblical references and words from the Savior Himself.

[@ronbrewer3493]

I love it thanks .I say that a baby can grow up and become an adult. We can grow up and become like our Heavenly parents. Why call Him Heavenly unless He is. And forsure he is. I say if we are more than a physical body where did our spirits come from. Yes God is our father in heaven. We are here to grow up and become like our Heavenly father. Truley the essence of life is growth and to become and to overcome. Thanks here is also something I say .I am only one and the Father of my children that does not mean that there can not be more fathers. The same is true with our Heavenly parents. There is no limit to space. We can grow up and become like our Heavenly parents. I love your talk .thanks thanks thanks thanks .

[@glenngarygoodell6352]

I LOVE HIS BOOKS

[@dungeonlair]

What book of his would you recommend?

[@christophersimmons4272]

@@dungeonlair A Case for the Book of Mormon is packed with gems

[@evanleebuxton1054]

@@dungeonlairlate reply, but The Infinite Atonement is great and I’ve enjoyed The Blueprint of Christ’s Church.

[@TheRaextra]

Fantastic Talk, Thank You Tad.

[@marcaroniandcheese626]

GOD is good 🙏

[@c.cannon1102]

I came to the comments expecting detractors, but finding none. To me this doctrine is the most basic of all religious doctrines. If there's a divine being that created us in his image, why would we not being instilled with the potential to be like him. And to the idea that we were created just to worship him as angels, the thought makes reason stare!

[@gladiatoranc]

Ok I'll be the detractor... haha... The Bible states that you can only become a child of God if you believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ and receive his Gospel. Man in its natural form carries upon himself the sinful flesh of Adam and is in spiritual darkness and therefore is in need to salvation. It is only through believing in Christ that one can be saved and anyone who rejects him is under condemnation and the wrath of God is upon him. The following verses teach this very clearly. Though we may be creatures made by God, we are not his children until one receives Christ and is born again. (John 1:10-14) "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. {11} He came unto his own, and his own received him not. {12} But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: {13} Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. {14} And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 3:3) "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:16-21) "¶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. {17} For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. {18} ¶ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. {19} And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. {20} For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. {21} But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."

[@gladiatoranc]

It is true that it says Adam was made in the image of God, but through sin this image became corrupted and death entered the world and passed upon all man. Christ is the perfect and undefiled image of God and only by him can one receive a new identity. So I would say the Biblical Christianity stands alone against all other religion on this matter.

[@jamesmccluskey8055]

@@gladiatoranc Sinful nature of Adam? 😂..... I find a contradiction when Christians say ''You're born a sinner' yet another verse states ''we are fearfully and wonderfully made''??? We are not born into sin and are not guilty of sins of our fathers or Adams - Deu. 24:16, 2 Chron. 25:4. We we're all born innocent, and sinless. We are ALL seal unto redemption Ephesians 4:30. Question ❓"if someone else causes to murderer another person does that make me a murderer"? Many Christian religions believe that we are born in sin due to “Adams Transgression” yet though this is a common belief someone else’s choices cannot make you a sinner. When one is born they are without sin. We learn this in Moroni 8:10-21

[@Greggs.Channel]

Great talk.

[@jawjww]

Awesome talk

[@seebs]

@4:37 is such a good quote!

[@SouthernAngel]

Beautiful ❤️

[@wesleyclayton6373]

John 10:34 or Mathew 5:48 to start “Our Identity and Our Destiny” by Tad R. Callister BYU Speech explains the Doctrine at length.

[@frederikatenhoopen6112]

This earth is nasty but beautiful… there is so many thorns, briars and torment here so we can be sanctified!

[@brendasmart3831]

Timeless

[@ildenete3235]

Num estado de inocência Adão e Eva conheciam o Pai e seu filho Jesus Cristo, e o Plano de Deus. Um estado de inocência não significa ingenuidade ou ignorância. Assim como escolher nesta vida manter puros os pensamentos e ações com a palavra de Deus e seu amor não é uma escolha de aparente facilidades constantes, sempre há esforços para estar perto de Deus e da companhia do Espírito do Senhor num estado desafiador, confiar na sua paz para o conhecimento e crescimento espiritual até sentir a alegria da jornada, seja nosso pensamentos unidos aos Seus pensamentos a Sua vontade a nossa vontade o Seu reino o nosso reino.

[@galengallardomusic5412]

I have a bunch of new song ideas! Ty. 🙏🏻👁

[@lukeslc-xd8ds]

I fear that there are a great many who "know their true identity and their purpose", yet they struggle still with addictions. What about those who stood in the very presence of God in the pre-earth life, knowing who they were, knowing their identity, yet THEY chose to follow Satan. No criticism intended, but so often, it seems, the Brethren make comments that I truly wonder about. (Or don't I have any business making such comments?)

[@jamesmccluskey8055]

I find a contradiction when Christians say ''You're born a sinner' yet another verse states ''we are fearfully and wonderfully made''??? We are not born into sin and are not guilty of sins of our fathers or Adams - Deu. 24:16, 2 Chron. 25:4 We we're all born innocent, and sinless. Many Christian religions believe that we are born in sin due to “Adams Transgression” yet though this is a common belief someone else’s choices cannot make you a sinner. When one is born they are without sin. We learn this in Moroni 8:10-21