Every parent wants his child to reach his full potential. It is just the same with our Heavenly Father. He wants his children to not squander the opportunity to learn eternal truth.

The problem we all encounter is separating the true from the false.

The Lord gave us an example in the account of Philip and Nathanael (See John 1:43-51). Philip had been called by the Lord to be a disciple.

Philip was excited, because he knew he had found Christ.

Philip went to Nathanael, with whom he wanted to share this wonderful news, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

Upon hearing this news, Nathanael objected, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said. “Come and see.”

Nathanael then gave us the great example of how to find truth –– he came and saw; and he came with the right spirit in his heart.

As he approached the Savior, Jesus saw him coming and said, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!”

The Savior had looked into Nathanael’s heart and knew that he was coming to honestly search for truth. He was coming to the Savior – humble … as [a] little child… (Matthew 18:4).

If we ask our Heavenly Father to help us find truth, the Savior promised that we will not be disappointed: …what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? … how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him (Matthew 7: 9, 11)?

When we come to understand that we are truly children of the living God, then we will want to please our Heavenly Father and learn the lessons of life that he wants us to learn.

James R. Tate is the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints.