Knowing God

Have you ever wondered what God is really like—I mean personality wise? 

Too often He’s portrayed as stern and stoic, a task master who commands and drives his children. But that never felt right to me. Then I found a quote by Heber C. Kimball that felt very right. 

Elder Kimball says, “I am perfectly satisfied that my Father and my God is a cheerful, pleasant, lively, and good-natured Being. Why? Because I am cheerful, pleasant, lively and good-natured when I have His Spirit.  That is one reason why I know; and another is—the Lord said through Joseph Smith, ‘I delight in a glad heart and a cheerful countenance’ (D&C 59: 15).  That arises from the perfection of His attributes; He is a jovial, lively person, and a beautiful man” (JD 4:222).

When we pay attention to the characteristics that manifest themselves in us when the Spirit is with us, we learn what God is like. That delights me not only because of what it teaches me about God but what it teaches me about myself. I’ve grown up to be very much like my mortal mother and father and as a daughter of God I can “grow up” to be like my Parents in Heaven.

As Joseph Smith taught, “if men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves” (TPJS, p. 343). 

He also said that, “Our heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive” (TPJS, 257).

As we come to know God, it is so much easier to trust in Him and love Him.