Maybe I'll share my talk in another post, but for now, I want to start a new project. As I listened to Elder Hales' talk today in a quiet moment while I was doing a nap drive with my 2 year old, I wished I had a notebook on me to record a few thoughts I had. And then I got to thinking how much I gained from really studying out Elder Andersen's talk when I had to speak on it. And so I decided I would try to dissect one talk a week and really study it out and share my thoughts here on my blog. I haven't been good about writing the goings on of my family here, but I realized today I love to write about the gospel. Also, something about sharing these thoughts and inspirations helps them sink deeper into my mind--they are written on my heart, I believe is how it's described in one scripture--and again, just maybe something I share will at least be pertinent to some person who comes across it.
Starting with Elder Hales: "Becoming a Disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ"
"...genuine discipleship is a state of being. This suggests more than studying and applying a list of individual attributes. Disciples live so that the characteristics of Christ are woven into the fiber of their beings, as into a spiritual tapestry."
I remember at the MTC we were introduced to Preach My Gospel, which has a section on Christlike attributes. There is a quiz of sorts to see the areas where you can improve. I think following Christ starts there, but this image is so beautiful--I imagine that when I am like Christ it comes so naturally to me to do things like him that I no longer pause to think "What would Jesus do?" I imagine checking in on the women I visit teach not because I need to check that off my list but because I see them as Christ sees them and care that they are doing well and I desire to support them how I can in their individual journey of discipleship. (Visiting teaching is a program in our church where women are assigned in partnerships to visit 2-3 other women on a monthly basis--it can be viewed as a social responsibility or an opportunity to minister for Christ, depending on your own attitude, I think, which mine can vary from month to month unfortunately)
"Jesus said, “They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Such men and women may focus on mastering a specific attribute or action but do not necessarily become as He is in their hearts."
Takes me back to another missionary experience. On my mission we taught people over and over the story of Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. I remember using that same scripture (Isaiah 29:13) to describe the clergy who lived during Joseph's time--the Apostasy which had resulted from the death of Christ and the subsequent deaths of all of his Apostles, led to a religious confusion in which each claimed to have the truth. This isn't to say that they were bad people, I just always considered this scripture to be talking about people who talk of Christ but don't actually have the correct understanding of his teachings, or the fullness of his teachings. So when I heard Elder Hales use this scripture talking to members of the church, talking to ME, I have to admit it stung a bit. The truth hurts.
"The attributes of the Savior, as we perceive them, are not a script to be followed or list to be checked off. They are interwoven characteristics, added one to another, which develop in us in interactive ways. In other words, we cannot obtain one Christlike characteristic without also obtaining and influencing others. As one characteristic becomes strong, so do many more."
I'm thinking of a current situation I've found myself in. As my 4 year old gets out into the world more and more, I'm seeing that he is learning things I don't always want him to learn. My gut reaction is to hide him from everything--i.e. "we just won't have friends that don't do things the way we do." While it would be impossible to do it anyway, it also wouldn't be Christlike. I just had the thought that as I strive to be like Christ, by welcoming into my life those who may do things a little differently from me, my kids will learn from my example about love and forgiveness and patience.
What a blessing it would be if they could understand THIS concept:
"As the Father is patient with us, His children, we become patient with one another and ourselves. We delight in the agency of others and the opportunity it gives them to grow “line upon line,”17 “brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”
A concept that I myself am still trying to grasp.
And even more than just being patient, actually serving those who aren't just different but who don't even like us:
"Like the Good Samaritan, we cross the road to minister to whoever is in need, even if they are not within the circle of our friends.We bless them that curse us. We do good to those who despitefully use us. Is any attribute more godly or Christlike?"
And then he references one of my all time favorite scriptures:
Moroni 7:47-48
47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.
I've always loved that idea that when Christ comes we will recognize him because we will share the same heart. We will see him for who he is because we will be like him. We won't miss the mark.
According to Elder Hales, the mark of a true disciple:
"There will be no disparity between the kindness we show our enemies and the kindness we bestow on our friends. We will be as honest when no one is looking as when others are watching. We will be as devoted to God in the public square as we are in our private closet."
This sounds lofty to me...I will have to set some goals to work on it this week.
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