On Papers and Titles

Over the past couple days and months, I've received some papers that give me new titles and privileges. It took a lot of hard work and several years' time, but people can now refer to me as Dr. Nathan Marc Lunt, PharmD and Nathan Marc Lunt, RPh.

My Degree; Doctor of Pharmacy

My Wall License; Registered Pharmacist in Arizona

These two pieces of paper are proof of a lot of hard work to obtain knowledge in the field of pharmacy. I'm very grateful for the support of family and friends through all the years. I'm also thankful to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with so many great opportunities and for the talents He has given me.

Yet, these two rather large pieces of paper don't really compare to a smaller one that I keep in my wallet. The titles I get from these papers don't compare to a title I was born with.

This morning for the first time in a long time, I went to the temple. I used this tiny piece of paper to show I was allowed to enter:

Once inside, not a soul knew that I was a pharmacist. Not one called me "Doctor Lunt" or anything of that sort. One person recognized my last name and knew my grandpa, but that was it. And yet, not once did I feel unwelcome or less than what I really am: a son of God. They all called me "Brother (Lunt)" and I loved it. As we all wore essentially the same white clothing, I couldn't have told you anyone's profession and that's a very special thing. None of us are any better than anyone else. We're all children of loving Heavenly Parents, siblings to an elder brother, Jesus Christ. Nothing else mattered there in the temple.

I don't need this third piece of paper to prove that I'm a son of God. It only proves my worthiness to enter the temple, not my parentage. Each of us can individually come to know that we are a child of God. Pray to Him; He is there and will listen.

As I sat in various rooms in the temple, hearing precious words, learning and relearning important parts of the plan of salvation, praying to know about my future and my plans, and just meditating, I felt the Spirit kind of reiterate the words of a priesthood blessing I received about a week ago just the night prior to taking one of my licensing exams. I know that Heavenly Father is real and that He has a plan for me. Things will work out for me no matter what happens because He loves me. I really am a son of God. That tiny piece of paper allowed me to enter one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever been in and feel so much peace and serenity, a place where I could once again come to the realization that I am a child of God.

I still have a few more licenses and titles to obtain, some professional, some more family related, but the most important title I have had since birth, and I need no physical proof to know it for myself, is son of God. Nothing else matters nearly so much.