One way of viewing the scriptures is as a type of biography.
Not about the people in distant lands and times.
But about the God who created them.
In their stories, they show us who He is and how He interacts with His children.
We see His character; His purposes and work (although through a limited lens of mortality).
Their stories are our stories.
Our view of the world and ourselves is shaped by our view of Him.
If we know His love and His mercy, we see all of the grace that surrounds us.
If we know His plan and His power and goodness, we see purpose in our challenges, growth potential in our time here and an ultimate glorious destiny. We view our time as an opportunity and our mistakes and failures as learning tools, teaching us about becoming divine.
If we know His eternal vision and His active persistence in encouraging us back to His way, we can be patient in that process of learning.
If we know the lengths He is prepared to go to in order to save us, we have confidence that He will, whatever the cost.
And we rest in that trust.
Certain.
We begin to recognize that in creating us, He was showing us all of these qualities, because the very creating is grace and love.
If our view of Him is distorted or faulty, then we judge everything around us differently.
Like Laman and Lemuel who saw only hardship and loss where Nephi saw tender mercies and deliverance.
Or the Israelite spies sent to Canaan who saw giants and walled cities where Caleb and Joshua saw a bountiful land promised by the Lord and therefore obtainable through the Lord.
Consequently, He invites us to learn of Him. To experience His love. To return to that love, again and again and again.
To know His dealings with His children.
To remember the great things He has done for others and for us.
To continue trusting in that goodness and that perfect plan that motivated our creation.
The more we know Him, the more accurate our perception of ourselves and our circumstances will be.
A view through His eyes.
Of a being worth creating.
Worth teaching.
Worth forgiving.
Worth redeeming.
Worth bringing home.
