We lived before our birth. Our individual identity is stamped in us forever. In ways we don’t fully understand, our spiritual growth there in the premortal world influences who we are here. We accepted God’s plan. We knew that we would experience difficulties, pain, and sorrow upon the earth. We also knew that the Savior would come and that as we proved ourselves worthy, we would rise in the Resurrection, having “glory added upon [our] heads for ever and ever.
Elder Neil L. Andersen, "The Eye of Faith", General Conference, April 2019
I don't know about you, but there is something familiar where the gospel of Jesus Christ is concerned. Something that is a part of me, of which I can't really explain, when it comes to the truth. I have no doubt that feeling is ingrained in my spirit because of what I learned, what I was taught, what I lived in the premortal world. It is who I am.
Just as I know that I have a beating heart, or a complex brain, I know Jesus Christ exists. It is that real to me. I can't see my heart or my brain, but I know they are there. Likewise, I can't see Christ or my Father, but I know they are there.
I knew, before I was born, that I would experience difficulties. I knew there would be a weight placed upon me, just because of mortality. I knew Satan would try to influence and tempt me to stray or walk a different direction. Granted, I have let that influence sway me at times. But, because of who I know I am, I can turn around and start walking in the other direction, the right direction. I am so grateful to know that no matter how far down the wrong path I go, I can just turn around and head the right way once again. My hope is, that I'll recognize sooner each time that I'm heading in the wrong direction, and turn around immediately, until that wrong influence has no impact anymore on my life.
I am a son of God. He is my Father. We are all His children. We all have unlimited potential. Only we put a limit on that potential. He loves us despite of the direction we walk. But, one thing I can envision, is Him and all the hosts of heaven, cheering and shouting when I, even me, make the right choice. Even if that choice is seemingly small, like crawling out of bed and getting on my knees because I forgot to pray, especially when it's cold or I don't feel well. Because to Them, that choice is not small. They know that choice shows a glimmer of faith that will grow, brighter and brighter until that perfect day.