Becoming as a Child

As future inheritors of God's kingdom there are some specific qualities we need to possess. One of the ones that is emphasized quite a bit throughout the scriptures is "becoming as a little child." But what does this mean. Most of us aren't little children anymore and a great majority of the people who live on earth do not die before the age of 12. Does this mean we won't get into heaven? 

No it doesn't.

The scriptures aren't talking about us being children in the eyes of man, but being children in the eyes of the Lord. 

So what does this entail? Let's look at some qualities that children on earth possess. 

1. Always questioning and curious about the world around them.
2. Willing to accept direction and not rebel against established rules.
3. Open minded to new ideas and concepts.
4. Willing and excited to learn and grow mentally, physically, and spiritually.
5. Flexible and easy to instruct and actively seeking guidance.

In D&C 78:17-18 is says, 

"17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; 18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours." 

As spirits we are children. We have no clue what Heavenly Father has in store for us. Our minds can't even comprehend all of the wonderful things he has planned and all of the knowledge he can share with us. We are limited by our mortal bodies and so we are always as little children no matter what age we are, because no one can truly know all the things that God does. 

Now what do we do with that information? 

We ACT like children. 

No one likes a kid who thinks they know everything and tries to do whatever they want to do despite the counsel of parents/guardians/teachers/etc. They think they know what is best for them, but we know what will happen if they start climbing on top of a table or playing with matches or stick something electronic in the microwave. The same goes for God. He knows better and yet we continue to object and question and do what we want to do anyways, despite his counsel. The best thing we can do to help gain our inheritance and feel good standing at the pearly gates is to accept the fact that we know very little, and relinquish our pride and allow Heavenly Father to direct us in the way that he knows is the best for us.