Spiritual DNA

As you all know, I find DNA fascinating.  I've always liked learning about the human body and biology in general.  In fact I've used my DNA expertise to help two of my biological second cousins who were adopted to find their biological parent to whom I'm related.

Your DNA can tell you a lot about yourself.  It can reveal diseases you're prone to or genetic variants you carry that can be passed on to your progeny. It can also tell you what you look like, and even if you can carry a tune or if you prefer sweet or salty -- amongst a myriad of other traits.

Your DNA can also tell you how fast your body metabolizes certain drugs and alcohol.  It will tell you your muscle type -- whether you are more of a sprinter or endurance athlete. Your DNA will reveal your ancestry composition.  Where do your ancestors come from?  And of course it tells you how related you are to someone else.  How much DNA do you share with your relatives?

So the concept of spiritual DNA is interesting.  But it makes perfect sense, since we are the spiritual children of Heavenly Parents.

"You have the spiritual DNA of God. You have unique gifts that originated in your spiritual creation and that were developed during the vast span of your premortal life. You are the child of our merciful and everlasting Father in Heaven, the Lord of Hosts, the One who created the universe, spread the spinning stars across the vast expanse of space, and placed the planets in their appointed orbits. 

"You are in His hands.

"Very good hands.

"Loving hands.

"Caring hands.

"And nothing anyone ever says about you can change that. Their words are meaningless compared to what God has said about you.

"You are His precious child.

"He loves you.

"Even when you stumble, even when you turn away from Him, God loves you. If you are feeling lost, abandoned, or forgotten—fear not. The Good Shepherd will find you. He will lift you upon His shoulders. And He will carry you home."

-- Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Three Sisters", October 2017 General Conference 

I love this quote by Elder Uchtdorf, of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles.  Not only did we inherit physical DNA from our mortal parents, but we inherited spiritual DNA from our heavenly parents.

Each of us is unique physically and spiritually.  But we are all children of Heavenly Parents who love us unconditionally and want what's best for us.  And whose spiritual DNA we carry.  Just like we take on the characteristics of our physical, mortal parents through inheriting their DNA.  We also take on the characteristics and traits of our Heavenly Parents through inheriting their spiritual DNA.

I find this comforting and reassuring.  I hope we all remember who we are and do our best to honor our parents whose DNA we carry -- both physical and spiritual.

That's my two cents.