Seen In Terms of Forever

Recently, I read a scripture in Proverbs that said, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." Usually when I think of visions in the scriptures I think of Lehi's vision of the tree of life or Joseph Smith's first vision that led to the restoration of Christ's church. But, in this context I think that Solomon was referring to an image in our mind, or a dream we have for ourselves.

Our Heavenly Father has a vision for each of us, "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1: 39)

Who we are and who we are becoming is so important to our Father in Heaven. He created us and has a specific plan for each of us; because we are His vision.

President Uchtdorf said, "Our Heavenly Father sees our real potential. He knows things about us that we do not know ourselves. He prompts us during our lifetime to fulfill the measure of our creation, to live a good life, and to return to His presence."

Heavenly Father wants us to be happy and to become the person He knows we can be. This is done by setting goals , making covenants, and trying to emulate the example of our older brother Jesus Christ. This is not an easy task, but it's possible.

We are encouraged by Elder Holland to "not to give up 'for ye are laying the foundation of a great work'. That 'great work' is you—your life, your future, the very fulfillment of your dreams. That 'great work' is what, with effort and patience and God’s help, you can become. When days are difficult or problems seem unending, I plead with you to stay in the harness and keep pulling. You are entitled to 'eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days,' but it will require your heart and a willing mind. It will require that you stay at your post and keep trying."

We are never alone in our efforts to improve ourselves. We will fail at times, and make mistakes, but He will never leave us.

Elder Wirthlin testified of this by saying, "Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us—even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will. We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won’t, for He sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of transformation. It takes us as men and women of the earth and refines us into men and women for the eternities."

I know that Heavenly Father loves us beyond our comprehension, he sent His son Jesus Christ to show it was possible to become perfect, and I know that through the Savior we can reach our fullest potential, and fulfill His vision.