REXBURG — Each man and woman who has lived, is living and will live on the earth is a son or daughter of God. They each have a divine potential. That was the message shared by today’s BYU-Idaho devotional speaker.
Bishop Gérald Caussé, the Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was today’s devotional speaker. In his talk, “I Saw Your Potential,” Bishop Caussé began by sharing the story of how he met his wife, Sister Valérie Caussé. He later asked her why she chose him. She replied, “I saw your potential.”
Bishop Caussé likened this to how God sees the divine potential in each of his children.
“Each of us is a son or daughter of God, created by Him in His own image and likeness,” Bishop Caussé said. “Each of us has an inherent, divine nature.”
Bishop Caussé taught that we must aim for the highest destination — the celestial kingdom and eternal life with Heavenly Father. In an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio, he said the only way to accomplish this is with the help of Jesus Christ and drawing on Christ’s atonement.
“I think it's important to understand that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is helping us not only to be redeemed and forgiven of our mistakes,” Bishop Caussé said. “But more than this, it's an enabling power. It gives us the opportunity to become a little better every day. So, it's as much for the good people that is, for people that are doing bad things.”
To those who struggle to understand and comprehend the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Bishop Caussé shared this.
“I would say what God said to Moses,” Bishop Caussé said in an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio. “In my talk, I'm talking about this interaction between God and Moses. And God calls him His son. Or if it would be a woman, it would be His daughter. And then He says, ‘You are in the similitude of my Only Begotten.’ And so, God sees us that way. So, my best advice would be, let's see ourselves as God sees us.”
Bishop Caussé taught that when we see the divine potential in others and help to nurture it, people can more fully discover that potential in themselves.
At the age of seven, Bishop Caussé began learning piano. Seeing the talent that he displayed, his mother enrolled him in a music conservatory. His first teacher was strict and mean. When he was 14, she gave him a difficult piece to play, and as he practiced it, she would criticize him, littering his sheet music with sharp words and insults. Bishop Caussé learned the piece — out of fear. When his mother discovered he was struggling, she found him a new teacher.
This second teacher taught with a completely opposite philosophy. She embraced young Bishop Caussé and fostered the raw talent he possessed. She too assigned him a difficult piece, but as he learned and struggled with the piece, she encouraged him and highlighted his improvement. Bishop Caussé learned this piece as well — with faith and love.
Bishop Caussé has continued to exercise his talent. As part of his devotional, Bishop Caussé played each piece, illustrating what happens when one fosters the potential of others as well as themselves.
At the conclusion of his talk, Bishop Caussé left all in attendance with a promise.
“I testify that if you choose to achieve this potential with faith and determination and live in accordance with your sacred covenants, you will find the strength and capacity to move forward, step by step, towards your eternal destiny.”