Week 1: Personal Divine Destiny

Challenge: To seek your personal divine destiny.
Promise: A feeling of purpose, and assurance, and worth.
In this chapter Dunn encourages you to seek out your divine purpose and part in God's plan. He recommends beginning with your Patriarchal Blessing. For those of you who do not know, a Patriarchal Blessing is a special blessing given through the Spirit and power of God and righteous man worthy to hold and exercise that power (or the Priesthood*). It is a message from a loving Heavenly Father to counsel, guide, and aid the recipient through his/her life. It is a special and wonderful gift from God to help us through the trials in life so we can return to live with Him. Those who have received their Patriarchal Blessings may find it helpful this week, but it is not necessary to complete the challenge.
Dunn suggests much prayer and study (of the scriptures, your life, and yourself) so that God may reveal your divine destiny gradually. "Line upon line...precept upon precept," (Isaiah 28:13) Dunn points out that even Jesus learned gradually and patiently. Patience will be the most challenging aspect of this week's challenge. Diligence and hard work are much easier to bear than waiting and learning slowly; therefore trust and faith are crucial. "Have the faith to let it come at the rate that the Lord wants it to come, for He knows the best time. But be persistent...the important thing is not that you know fully and precisely...but rather that you are seeking to know it," (Dunn).
Dunn promises that a knowledge you divine nature and destiny produce "an increased resistance to the feelings of gloom....and an appreciation for the part every man can play in [God's] plan." So be on the look out for joy and an increased appreciation of others as children of God (and I might also add a confidence boost). Good luck! If you feel like it let me know how it goes by commenting on this post.
 *Better explained here: http://mormon.org/faq/topic/priesthood/question/purpose-of-priesthood

My Challenge to You: Make a list of at least 10 things you are good at, thank Heavenly Father, and then find ways to use some of them to help others.

This week's experience:  Dunn wrote that "all men come to earth with specific missions to perform." I do not know what my specific mission is but I do know that "the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them," (Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 3:7). So whatever mission is mine I have been or will be prepared to accomplish it. Which means that every physical and spiritual affliction I endured was to help prepare me, shape me, mold me, so that I can be used the way Heavenly Father has designed. "If thou are called to pass through tribulation, it shall be for thy good," (Doctrine & Covenants[explained last post] 58:5-8). I am blessed with talents to bless others and be an instrument in the Lord's hands-- talents I don't even recognize as talents. After reflecting on my talents, I am overwhelmed at the number. I play piano and sing but I also have a friendly smile and give good hugs. They may not seem like talents but I can serve others through these blessings. "Neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it many not be know," (Doctrine & Covenants 60:13, Parable of the Talents Mathew 25). We all have talents given to us from God. How divine and special is that?!