Understanding Your Divine Identity: Lessons with Meghan Farner

Meghan Farner, host of the Latter-day Disciples podcast and author specializing in divine femininity, rejoins Nick and Austin on the One by One podcast to explore the concept of divine identity. With years of spiritual exploration and personal transformation, Meghan brings valuable insights into understanding our true nature as children of God. This episode delves into the often misunderstood concept of personal identity and what it means to be a child of God - a foundational understanding that impacts every aspect of spiritual development and personal growth.

  The Pre-Mortal Existence and Our Forgotten Identity

Our mortal experience begins with a significant challenge - we arrive on earth with a veil over our memories of our pre-mortal life. As Austin explains in the episode, we lived in God's presence before coming to earth, where we were disciples of Christ who understood His teachings and way of life. This existence wasn't merely theoretical; we were developed beings who consciously chose to come to earth and experience mortality.

This veil of forgetfulness is intentional but creates what Austin describes as a form of "insanity" - we knew who we were in the pre-mortal life but now must rediscover our identity through faith and spiritual connection. The spiritual journey, then, becomes about regaining that "sanity" by remembering who we truly are and who we came here to become. This journey isn't just about gaining new knowledge but about reconnecting with eternal truths we once understood.

Interestingly, Meghan points out that our spirits exist outside of time, which means a part of us - our fully developed self - exists simultaneously with our current undeveloped state. This perspective shifts how we view progression, suggesting that our spiritual growth isn't just about becoming something new but about aligning with our eternal nature that already exists beyond mortal constraints.

  Understanding Divine Parenthood

The podcast participants discuss how truly understanding our identity requires recognizing both Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother as our divine parents. This more complete understanding of God helps us better comprehend our own nature and potential.

Many women struggle to envision their divine potential when they only have a masculine model of godhood. Meghan shares that she's been told in priesthood blessings that her Heavenly Mother has experienced similar challenges to what she faces as a woman and mother. This knowledge provides comfort and direction, particularly for women seeking to understand their divine nature and purpose.

Nick points out that this understanding of divine parenthood isn't a new or radical concept but is rooted in Latter-day Saint doctrine. The participants suggest that embracing this complete view of divine parenthood allows both men and women to better understand their spiritual roadmap and recognize traits of both divine feminine and masculine in Christ's teachings and example.

  False Traditions and God's True Voice

One of the most impactful discussions in the episode centers around how false traditions have distorted our understanding of God's nature and voice. Meghan suggests that we've inherited beliefs that misrepresent what God sounds like when He speaks to us.

Many people believe God's voice is characterized by disappointment, shame, and criticism. This false understanding creates significant barriers to spiritual growth. The participants emphatically state that God's true voice is one of perfect love and acceptance - "I love you right now. There is nothing you could do to make me not love you. I love you while you are in the act of sinning."

Austin adds that our perception of God often mirrors our relationship with our earthly parents, particularly our fathers. This can create distorted views of how God relates to us. The adversary takes advantage of these misunderstandings to attack our identity and agency, just as he attacked Christ's identity during His temptations and Moses' identity after his divine encounter.

  Overcoming Challenges Through Divine Identity

The episode includes a vulnerable moment where Nick shares his personal journey of overcoming pornography addiction by reconnecting with his divine identity. His experience demonstrates how understanding our divine nature provides the strength to overcome significant challenges.

Instead of being paralyzed by shame and unworthiness, Nick discovered that God worked with him progressively, acknowledging and celebrating each step of improvement rather than condemning his struggles. This approach gave him hope and strength to continue his healing journey. The participants suggest this reflects God's true nature - not as a harsh taskmaster, but as a loving parent who helps us progress incrementally.

Austin explains that the journey to godhood necessarily includes facing and overcoming challenges. Using the example of sexuality, he suggests that mortality gives us opportunities to master aspects of our nature rather than having those aspects removed. This mastery, developed through Christ's grace, leads to spiritual growth and strength rather than remaining perpetually weak against temptation.

  Discovering Your True Divine Identity: A Call to Action

Understanding your identity as a child of God isn't just theological theory—it's transformative knowledge that can reshape every aspect of your life. As Moroni teaches, when we truly understand who we are, "when he shall appear, we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is." This knowledge gives us hope and motivates us to purify ourselves as Christ is pure.

The path to discovering your divine identity includes:

● Praying "with all the energy of heart" to feel God's love

● Learning to distinguish between God's voice of love and the adversary's voice of shame

● Reconnecting with your heart and emotions rather than operating solely from intellect

● Recognizing and challenging false beliefs about God's nature

● Seeking personal revelation about your divine purpose and mission

● Understanding that progression is a gradual process that God guides you through

This journey to understand your divine identity isn't just about personal growth—it's about fulfilling your mission and purpose. By removing the veils of unbelief and false tradition, you'll discover not just who you are, but who you can become. As you embrace your identity as a child of divine Heavenly Parents, you'll find the strength to overcome challenges and fulfill your unique purpose.

The participants in this episode remind us that you're not just a mortal being having occasional spiritual experiences—you're a spiritual being having a temporary mortal experience. Your true identity extends beyond this life, and recognizing that truth is the key to transcending the limitations and challenges of mortality. Begin today by seeking to hear God's true voice of love and acceptance, allowing that understanding to reshape how you view yourself and your divine potential.