I have a little story to help provide an example of this. One day I was going to the chiropractor and he made this comment that kind of struck me. I was having struggles with my back and he was helping me out, and he just made this comment that totally seemed kind of random. He said “Well, none of us are born perfect.” And that really struck me. I thought, “My kids were born perfect.” That’s really how I felt. They were perfect. They were everything I could imagine. They were everything I wanted. They were everything I dreamed of when I was expecting them. When they were born and placed into my arms, I just held them and thought, “They’re perfect.”  

Well, after some reflection I have realized that I think we were both correct in what we were thinking that day in his office. I think my chiropractor was talking about our physical imperfections–our mortal imperfections. There’s a lot wrong with us. And my perspective in that moment, just the thought that came to me, was about my kids and how perfect I thought they were when they were born. I think I was right too. I think they were exactly what they needed to be, and exactly where they needed to be. And that included their problems and challenges and perfect imperfections. 

My kids have struggles, going all the way back to the first moments of their life. Labor and delivery wasn’t smooth for any of them. And none of them actually came in the ideal circumstances, or perfectly healthy. Maybe close, in some cases. I remember one of my sons was born almost two weeks late and his face was all bruised. He was literally purple. But, when I held him in my arms, and looked at him…he was perfect. He was so perfect! I couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful person at that moment. When I held him and looked at him, I knew he was perfect.

So, what do we take away from that? What do we learn from that experience that I had about analyzing perfection and what it means? None of us will be our true ultimate selves in this life. That’s not what mortality is. It’s not about this ideal and this perfection and being exactly what we want and maintaining perfection or looking perfect. It doesn’t last. Sometimes we can get really close and we can get sneak peeks of our true self, and we can behave in a way that makes us proud. We can do things that make us feel accomplished. But then we stumble and fall sometimes, and we have flaws and failures. 

All of this is what forms our perfect life. The kind of perfection that comes from learning through struggles and failures and challenges. Next time you’re thinking about how you’re not measuring up, or you’re not good enough, I want you to think about how your mother sees you (or your father). Even in their imperfection, I’m sure they love you. And your Heavenly Parents, too. They love you in your imperfection, and they know that you are on this imperfect path trying your best. And in their eyes, you measure up. And in their eyes, you’re perfect just the way you are.

I want you to know that I believe in you and I believe all of your imperfections are part of our Heavenly Father’s perfect plan for your life. And I hope that this message gets to you, and sinks in, so that you can feel it in your heart. The witness that I have of perfection and imperfection, or  perfect imperfection! Because it’s a part of our lives and it’s okay. And you’re good enough.