The Heroine
As we begin this fairy tale, we ask who is the protagonist? We may imagine a superhero, princess, goddess, or a damsel in distress. Each star imagined seems to possess power, courage, faith, and potential, leading on to victory. You are surprised to see as you look in the mirror the star of the story is the divine you!
To this, you may be thinking that you are not “adequate” enough to play such an “important” role. Often we are trapped to identify our worth or value based on our circumstances or how we appear to others. We have forgotten that we are of intrinsic worth simply because we are daughters of God.
President James E. Faust taught of women’s divine worth, “You sisters do not know the full extent of your influence. You sisters enrich all of humanity. All human life begins with you. Each woman brings her own separate, unique strengths to the family and the Church. Being a daughter of God means that if you seek it, you can find your true identity. You will know who you are. This will make you free—not free from restraints, but free from doubts, anxieties, or peer pressure . . .It means that you can find strength in the balm of Christ. It will help you meet the heartaches and challenges with faith and serenity.”[1]
Despite our circumstances, appearance, social status, or whatever else, Heavenly Father will always love us unconditionally. Our individual worth never changes with God. The Lord values His children for reasons far different from the world, for “he seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”[2]
At times it is hard to see our divine worth and potential. When Lucifer shades our eyes with obscurity, we cannot see our true self. He attacks our divine identity and virtue.
Enwrapped in my eating disorder, I lost a sense of myself. As the darkness faded, I was afraid to look in the mirror, unsure if I would recognize myself. Lucifer distorted my reflection in an effort to destroy me. His gloom and misery tinted my true reflection to believe I was worthless.
As I began to express my fear of my reflection, Dr. Julie encouraged me to seek to see myself as Heavenly Father – through an “eternal mirror.” To this challenge, I would glance with uncertainty, unsure if I was of worth.
One day as I was talking to a care tech at the CFC about her excitement to go through the temple soon, my mind reflected on when I took out my own endowments. In reminiscing, I began to recognize my true identity in His eternal mirror – a daughter of a king.
After my initiatory ceremony, my mom helped me change into my temple dress. The sweet temple worker, then gently guided us to an elongated, oval mirror. She said she had something special to show us.
Standing with my mom, before the mirror, caught glimpse of my “deep beauty.”[3] The temple worker explained that though life would bring changes and challenges, this mirror reflected an unchanging truth. Standing at my side in my past, present and future would be my dear mother – always and forever.
In an eternal light, not only will my family be at my side, but my Heavenly Father. His love is constant and unconditional. As His daughter, my worth and potential holds true eternally.
Sister Elaine S. Dalton taught, “Young women, look into the mirror of eternity. Remember who you are! See yourself as our Heavenly Father sees you. You are elect. You are of noble birth. Don’t compromise your divine inheritance. You were born to be a queen. Live so you are worthy to enter the temple and there receive “all that [the] Father hath.”[4] Develop deep beauty. There is nothing more beautiful sight than a young woman who glows with the light of the Spirit, who is confident and courageous because she is virtuous.”[5]
Remembering this tender experience, I began to catch glimpse of my divinity. Through the process of recovery, I found my eyes became brighter as I received His image in my countenance. My divine potential as a daughter of a King shines through with faith to seek the silver linings and twinkling in my reflection.
I wrote the following poem as I fought to discover my true identity:
A Mirror Reflection
Mirror, Mirror on the wall . . .
Who am I?
Where am I going?
Am I lovable and of worth?
In front of the mirror my eyes are lost
Searching to find my true identity,
The beauty within,
Self-acceptance
My dark monster covered my eyes of
My personality, passions, principles, purpose
Constant destructive expressions:
Broken, unlovable, worthless
The demon darkness fades, as I trust the light in my eyes
My eyes lead in a hopeful direction
A new perspective:
Stumbling blocks become stepping-stones
Mirror, who am I?
I am kind and compassionate,
Courageous and determined,
Accepting and Loving
I am a designer of my passions that
Mold my purpose,
Define my character,
Bring treasures of happiness
I am a daughter of God who loves me.
I believe in His eternal love and grace
He lifts me, comforts me, protects me
He is my anchor
I am a wife, daughter, sister, and friend
An author of my destiny of joy, hope, and peace
Mirror, in you I choose to see my power and self-worth
A daughter of God
President Hinckley taught, “You are second to none. You are daughters of God. There has come to you as your birthright something beautiful and sacred and divine. Never forget that. Your Eternal Father is the great Master of the universe. He rules over all, but He also will listen to your prayers as His daughter and hear you as you speak with Him. He will answer your prayers. He will not leave you alone.”[6]
As the Apostle Paul taught, “the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God.”[7] Through glimpses of eternity with our Spirit, our individual worth is magnified. This spirit whispers our divinity through prayer, scripture study, priesthood blessings, service, and spoken words affirmed by others.
The story of the “Widow’s Mite” teaches Christ’s perspective of individual worth. I imagine a woman who blends into the crowd, unnoticed by many. On the scale of fashion and prestige, she would be among the “common.” As the scriptures identify, her worldly possessions were few. Savior was not concerned with these outward things, for He looked on her heart.
As the wealthy made a great display of presenting their possessions, Christ used this beautiful woman of great worth as an example of sharing all that we have with others. Like the widow’s mite, we all have gifts to give and share with others to further the Lord’s work. The diversity of our gifts provides opportunities to lift and help others.
With the eyes of the Lord, we can identify our worth to the Lord. The Apostle Paul teaches, “We are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.”[8] Away from Satan’s shadows, we can see our divine reflection as daughters of a king.
[1] James E. Faust, “What It Means to be a Daughter of God,” Ensign,
October 1999.
[2] 1 Samuel 16:7
[3] Elaine S. Dalton, “Remember Who You Are!” Ensign, May 2010
[4] Alma 5:14
[5] Elaine S. Dalton, “Remember Who You Are!” Ensign, May 2010
[6] Stay on the High Road,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2004, 112
[7] Romans 8:16
[8] Romans 8:16-17
