Our sense of worth and identity

In a recent Sunday school lesson, we were discussing the idols and false gods of our time. There were the expected comments about the false gods of fame and fortune, or what we prioritize and where spend most of our time, energy, and focus.

Then a brother made a comment that resonated deeply. He said that whatever we attach our sense of self worth to—anything besides being a child of God—is our false god. I thought that was so insightful and profound.

If we attach our sense of worth to anything that is temporal or external, it will fail. If my perceived worth comes from worldly success, accomplishments, appearance, external validation, comparison, etc., then I am destined for a crisis.

Our source of worth and our understanding of our identity are closely linked. If my identity is strongly attached to things like my career, my accomplishments or failures, or labels or judgments that have come to me through my life, I will be constrained by my own limited perception of myself and that will lead to suffering, for myself and those around me.

In a recent devotional, Pres. Nelson, “How tragic it is when someone believes the label another person has given them. Imagine the heartache of a child who is told, ‘You are dumb.’ Identifiers and labels are powerful!”

He went on to say,

“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.

First and foremost, you are a child of God. Second, as a member of the Church, you are a child of the covenant. And third, you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.”

Positive affirmations, or “I am” statements, can be an effective tool to help us stay rooted in our true identity. This is even modeled to us by Jesus Christ, who has said,

“I am the light and the life of the world,”
“I am the bread of life,”
“I am the good shepherd,”
“I am the resurrection and the life,”
“I am the way, the truth, and the life,”
“I am the true vine,”
and, “I Am that I Am.”

There is power in thinking and speaking truth. Our thoughts and words have power to create and shape us, or to cut us down and destroy us.

I try to exercise caution, however, about staying in truth with “I am” statements. I have wondered about statements such as, “I am powerful,” “I am amazing,” “I can do anything,” “I am unstoppable,” or others along these lines.

A scripture came to mind that gave me pause when reflecting on this. In the Book of Moses, chapter 1:10, Moses said, “man is nothing.” What does that mean? And how does that relate to the truthfulness or falseness of these “I am” statements?

I went back to the account, and read how Moses “saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses; therefore Moses could endure his presence.” (Moses 1:2) God first said to him, “Behold, I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name,” followed by, “behold, thou art my son.” (v. 3-4) Notice God’s “I am” statements here, which he can say with authority and power, and how he expresses his paternal relationship with Him.

He then showed Moses “the world and the ends thereof, and all the children of men which are, and which were created; of the same he greatly marveled and wondered.” (v. 8)

I remembered that Moses had seen this incredible vision, and then afterward was overwhelmed, fell to the earth, and fainted. When he came to, he said to himself, “Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed.” (v. 10)

I had thought this epiphany was due to the magnificence of the vision he had just seen, the vastness of creation that led him to think that man is nothing, in relative terms. We are tiny specs in a vast universe, seemingly insignificant to the point of being nothing.

But as I went back to read this account, I had completely forgotten or neglected verse 9. “And the presence of God withdrew from Moses, that his glory was not upon Moses, and Moses was left unto himself. And as he was left unto himself, he fell unto the earth.”

After this withdrawal of God’s presence and glory, that was when Moses collapsed. When he came to, that was when he had the profound realization, “Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing.”

Without God, man is nothing. Without God, I am nothing.

Ammon understood this when he was rebuked by Aaron for boasting in the success of their missionary efforts. His response,

“I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things.” (Alma 26:12)

Now, when I think of “I am” statements, I frame them differently. “With God, I am powerful,” or, “because of God, I am amazing,” or, “With God, I can do anything,” etc.

The account of Moses continues to instruct us when Satan came tempting him saying, “Moses, son of man, worship me.” (v. 12) His first attack is to challenge Moses’s sense of identity, calling him a “son of man.” Moses isn’t that easily deceived, and his rebuttal is, “Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy glory, that I should worship thee?” (v. 13) He then commands Satan to deceive him not, and to depart.

These declarations and commands, however, aren’t enough. It only angered Satan, who cried with a loud voice and ranted and commanded, saying, “I am the Only Begotten, worship me.” (v. 19) It was then that Moses began to “fear exceedingly” and saw “the bitterness of hell.” (v. 20) It was in that moment of despair, he didn’t restate his identity or any “I am” statements — he “called upon God, receiving strength,” (v. 20) and commanded Satan again to depart. Then Satan began to tremble, the earth shook, and it is repeated in the following verse, “Moses received strength,” and “called upon God,” (v. 21) again, commanding him to depart.

Finally, Satan was overpowered. Moses was filled with the Holy Ghost, and beheld the glory of God again, and was reassured by his Father, “I, the Almighty, have chosen thee, and thou shalt be made stronger than many waters; for they shall obey thy command as if thou wert God. And lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days…” (v. 25-26)

When we understand our true identity, the source of our sense of worth, and our complete reliance upon God who is our light, power, truth, our all, then we will live as children of God capable of doing amazing works. And when we face any variety of devils, demons, doubts, fears, shame, etc., we can do as Moses did and declare our true identity and cry unto our Father for strength, His grace and glory, to liberate us from the darkness.