Hug from Heaven by Mandy Jane Williams
Sometimes I’ve wondered if I’m actually worth very much. I know I’m not alone in feeling that way; many believe that there is a God in heaven but find it harder to believe that He loves them individually. How important could one average person be in the grand scheme of eternity?
This question stuck with me for a while, even though the scriptures teach that God loves His children. We read that He created the plan of salvation for us to have joy and eternal life, which He described as His work and glory (see Moses 1:39 and 2 Nephi 2:25).
Prophets both ancient and modern have spoken of God’s care and continued involvement in our lives. In 1896, Wilford Woodruff said, “When I look and reflect upon this Church, upon the blessings and revelations of God, upon the salvation of God, I consider that of all men and women under heaven we have the greatest reason to rejoice before the Lord. We have had a good deal to do in our day and time; but the Lord has assisted us in performing this work.”1
Some of my favorite scriptures on this topic are recorded in Doctrine and Covenants sections 18 and 19. “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. . . . And how great is His joy in the soul that repenteth!” (Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–13). Christ suffered eternal punishment for all people “that they might not suffer if they would repent.” This level of suffering caused even the Creator of the world to tremble, bleed, and shrink before the task—and yet, He said, “I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–20).
These verses started to change my perspective on how the Lord sees us. Every painful experience you’ve had and ever will have was thrust on Jesus in the garden; it’s impossible to imagine how intense that would be, even suffering for just one person, or how strong the human urge to quit and seek relief would be. And yet, Jesus would rather go through that pain than lose you. He took your suffering and all people’s suffering on Himself, not leaving anything out, because His Father’s plan was never intended to leave anyone out. We were all remembered, and we are all included in His love.
Our Savior’s view of our worth is central to everything He does. Throughout revelations given about the priesthood and the gathering of Israel in the Doctrine and Covenants, He demonstrates that His Church is one of compassion and support. He promises peace to those who follow Him (19:23); He instructs priesthood bearers to watch over and strengthen the members and to be sure there is no “hardness with each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking” (20:54); He will bless laborers in His vineyard with “a mighty blessing” (21:9); and He will be with those who labor in Zion and give them strength (24:7–8).
These promised blessings were fulfilled to the prophet Wilford Woodruff, who spoke many times of being inspired, protected, healed, and guided as he sought to fulfill the will of God. His journals are filled with accounts of miracles large and small. He was not the exception, either; countless members and missionaries throughout our dispensation have recorded evidence of seeing God’s hand in their lives, bearing testimony that He has never abandoned them. As I continue my own efforts in the Church, I have found the same evidence and can bear the same testimony. The Lord has never forgotten me, and He will never forget any one of us, because the worth of every soul “is great in the sight of God.”
Cammie Garner studied biodiversity and conservation at Brigham Young University and completed a master’s degree in biology education from Grand Canyon University. After working as a tutor and STEM camp counselor, she became a full-time service missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a missionary she serves in the temple, FamilySearch center, humanitarian center, and local art lab, and also produces content for missionary social media projects. Cammie enjoys writing, painting, music, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
The Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation’s mission is to digitally preserve and publish Wilford Woodruff’s eyewitness account of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and make his records universally accessible in order to inspire all people, especially the rising generation, to study and to increase their faith in Jesus Christ. For more information, please explore wilfordwoodruffpapers.org.
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