[A]ll are under the directive to become like Him, just as Jesus Christ became like the Father. As we progress, we become more complete, finished, and fully developed. Such teaching is not based on any one sect’s doctrines but comes directly from the Master Himself. It is through this lens that lives should be lived, communications considered, and relationships fostered.

Becoming Like Him

For me, one of the most evocative scriptures is 1 John 3:2-3.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Jesus Christ will appear again.  When He appears will I be like Him?

Doctrine and Covenants 76:94 describes the people who see Jesus as He is.

They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fulness and of his grace;

These are the saints who shall be like Him when He appears! I want to be one of them!

Elder Whiting suggested reviewing the Christlike Attribute activity in Preach My Gospel to gauge where we are in our efforts to become like the Savior.  It’s been several years since I’ve done this specific activity and thought I’d follow Elder Whiting’s counsel to determine what I can work on now to help me to become like Him, to “see and be seen” like Jesus.

Read each item below carefully. Decide how true that statement is about you, and choose the most appropriate response from the response key. Write your response to each item in your study journal. Spiritual growth is a gradual process, and no one is perfect, so you should expect to rate yourself better on some items than on others.

Delisa Hargrove

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have moved 64 times and have not tired of experiencing this beautiful earth! I love the people, languages, histories/anthropologies, & especially religious cultures of the world. My life long passion is the study & searching out of religious symbolism, specifically related to ancient & modern temples. My husband Anthony and I love our bulldog Stig, adventures, traveling, movies, motorcycling, and time with friends and family.

Kindness Isn’t Easy

You may think I chose this topic because I am naturally a kind person, or it comes easily to me. But lately I have been the grumpiest person on earth. My adorable five-year-old hit the constant question, constant talking phase and I almost lost my mind. My sister moved in with us, and just the differences in personality felt like sandpaper on my skin some days.

Neither of these situations merit grouchy responses, and I have been working very hard to keep my cool. But sometimes (like now when my child is talking constantly as I write) are really tough. The Savior knew this when He told us to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 1:34). The Savior has never told me to shut up or pick up my socks. He loves me kindly, and with a patience that I, with my flaws, can’t match. But His challenge still stands.

Christ Showed the Way

Elder Robert J. Whetten (an emeritus member of the Seventy) seemed to know I would need to hear some comforting council when he addressed this very scripture. He said:

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you. … By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” …. Jesus’ unconditional love for us motivated His atoning sacrifice for our sins. Without His love, we would be unable to return to our Heavenly Father. How He lived His life is the example we should follow. His way should be our way. “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” He showed us that we must go about doing good, that the spiritual and physical welfare of our fellowmen is as important as our own, and that we should show genuine concern and compassion for all of our Heavenly Father’s children.

 

Moroni defines Christ like love as charity. “And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father.” It’s not enough to say we believe and that we love Him; we must be found possessed with His kind of love for others at that last day. It is not necessary for us to lay down our life for others as He did, but like the Savior, we should bless the lives of others by giving of what our life is made up of—our time, our talents, our means, and ourselves.”

Prayer Makes a Difference

Elder Whetten continued:

“Mormon urges us to “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.” Like faith, Christ like love is a gift of the Spirit, is granted upon the principles of personal righteousness and in accordance to our level of obedience to the laws upon which it is predicated.

 

To read more of Patty’s articles, click here.

Like faith, love must be exercised to grow. We all live our lives one day at a time, and each of us, regardless of our age or circumstances, is presented each day with choices in our relationships with others. As we deny ourselves and reach out to serve others, the Spirit will refine us and teach us and we will come to learn what Paul meant: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.”

 

Our compassionate service to others will grow into divine love and change us, “and when he shall appear we shall be like him” (Robert J. Whetten, “True Followers,” April 1999).

Kindness Does Begin with Me

I love how Elder Whetten reminds us that the Savior doesn’t expect us to be instantly kind, but that love grows when it is used. As I seek to have a kind and happy home, I am very encouraged to remember that the fruits of that very Spirit I welcome into my home through my kindness will then help grant me the gentleness and goodness to keep the upward cycle going.

Patty Sampson

Patty thrives on all things creative. You’ll often find her in the garden pretending she is a suburban farmer. She loves meeting new people, and is devoted to her friends and family. In her heart she is a Midwesterner even though life has moved her all over the country. She believes in “blooming where you’re planted” and has found purpose in every place she has been. She has a deep and abiding love for the Savior and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And she loves editing LDS Blogs because it is a constant spiritual uplift. Not many people can say their job builds their witness of the Savior.

“Jesus said love everyone. Treat them kindly too. When your heart is filled with love, others will love you.”  

Those are the words to a song we teach our youngest children in Primary. It’s a peaceful song, full of hope. It is the opposite of what I’ve been hearing about in the news lately in Charlottesville, Virginia. I started to describe the tragedy and the ache in my heart made the rest of this article impossible to write. So I am going to let you look it up in the news. Needless to say, it is heartbreaking.  

Hatred brings pain.

Why do people hate each other? When I think about why I hate spiders, I am first reminded of how afraid I am of them. I once had to kill a very large spider and I nearly had a heart attack!  It makes me wonder if people hate others because of fear.  

I know that anger is a secondary emotion. You always feel something else first. (fear, embarrassment, hurt)  Is it possible that hate is also a secondary emotion?

We are born full of love, full of potential.  In this crazy world, sometimes we have to diligently work to keep that love in our hearts. By following the teachings of Jesus Christ we can remain focused on what matters. And we can keep our homes a place where Christ, and all good things, are welcome.  

This morning I read a statement released by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, August 13, 2017. It was so inspiring that I have to share it with you.

“It is with great sadness and deep concern that we view the violence, conflict, and tragedy of recent days in Charlottesville, Virginia. People of any faith, or of no faith at all, should be troubled by the increase of intolerance in both words and actions that we see everywhere.

 

Gordon B. Hinckley

More than a decade ago, the late Church President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) addressed the topic of racism when speaking to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He powerfully and clearly taught this principle:

 

“No man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ. Nor can he consider himself to be in harmony with the teachings of the Church of Christ.”

 

For members of the Church, we reaffirm that teaching today and the Savior’s admonition to love our neighbor.

 

Our prayers are with those who are suffering because of this intolerance and hatred. We pray for peace and for understanding. Above all, we pray that we may treat one another with greater kindness, compassion, and goodness.”

We must protect our innocent children and our families from the anger and hatred being spewed across the world.  We should not blame others for our problems.  

To read more of Patty’s articles, click here.

We can take a lesson from peach trees. They can be brutally pruned and afterward produce the best fruit.  This tragedy can be a time of pruning. It can be a chance for us to examine our own hearts and cut out the overgrowth that would weaken us.  

We can work harder to be loving and be accepting of those who are different from us. Because Jesus taught us to love our neighbor, to be kind. Let us be more as He taught us to be.  

Patty Sampson

Patty thrives on all things creative. You’ll often find her in the garden pretending she is a suburban farmer. She loves meeting new people, and is devoted to her friends and family. In her heart she is a Midwesterner even though life has moved her all over the country. She believes in “blooming where you’re planted” and has found purpose in every place she has been. She has a deep and abiding love for the Savior and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And she loves editing LDS Blogs because it is a constant spiritual uplift. Not many people can say their job builds their witness of the Savior.

Booker and Dorothy Armstrong

Looking back, I think Booker and Dorothy attended the weddings of all four of our children. I believe they also attended LDS (Mormon) missionary farewells for all of our children. Often, the Armstrong’s were the only Baptists in a sea of Mormons. In addition, they were frequently the only African-American couple in the crowd. No matter what the circumstances, they fit in. They were friendly and mixed well with the other guests. A more perfect example of Christ-like love could not be found.

We were invited to family events with the Armstrong’s, as well, and were usually the only Caucasians and always the only LDS couple in attendance. We never felt out of place, and never lacked for conversation and fun. Last year we were invited to the surprise 73rd birthday party for Booker. We were one of two white couples in attendance. Ironically, I don’t even think I had time to have a conversation with the other white couple, as we were so busy enjoying the conversation with everyone at our table and the table next to where we were sitting.

At a time when racial tensions have escalated and when religions can’t seem to come together about anything, the Armstrong’s have been a shining star. Someone spoke at the funeral about Booker being the “green light.” I don’t remember exactly what he said, but the crux of it was that Booker was the shining example of Christ. He pointed out that Booker had a way of smiling with his eyes, even if his mouth wasn’t smiling. I remember those eyes. It was the love of Christ shining through to give others comfort.

14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

 

19 I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances? (Alma 5:14,19)

Booker and Dorothy Armstrong have received His image in their countenances. I’m sure that Booker was received on the other side with a pure heart and clean hands. In addition, their family and friends have exhibited to us the countenance of Christ in their image. Booker’s children should be so proud of their parents. The whole congregation of their church should be proud of the sweet example they set for the rest of us.

I want to “grow up” to be like the Armstrong’s. I hope someday that people will be able to see God through my countenance. We must all strive to be an example of Christ-like love. We can do this. God will help us. There is nothing we can’t do with His help.

Your Heavenly Father has known you for a very long time. You, as His son or daughter, were chosen by Him to come to earth at this precise time, to be a leader in His great work on earth. You were chosen not for your bodily characteristics but for your spiritual attributes, such as bravery, courage, integrity of heart, a thirst for truth, a hunger for wisdom, and a desire to serve others.

 

You developed some of these attributes premortally. Others you can develop here on earth as you persistently seek them (Elder Russell M. Nelson, Decisions for Eternity, Oct. 2013 General Conference).

We seek the attributes to help us become more Christ-like through prayer, scripture study, and practice. The old saying, “Practice makes perfect,” was never more appropriate. Each day of our lives is practice for the future. If we fail today, we can use the atonement to help us tomorrow. Repentance is real. The Savior suffered, bled, and died for our chance to keep trying until we get it right.

To read more of Tudie’s articles, click here.

Don’t ever give up. He didn’t go through all that suffering so we could curl up in the fetal position and say, “It’s just too hard.” Nothing we ever go through is even close to the agony of Christ—nothing. He suffered in ways we will never be able to comprehend—at least not in this life. Don’t give up on yourself, because He never did and never will.

Thanks to Booker and Dorothy Armstrong, their family, friends, and the congregation of St. Paul’s Missionary Baptist Church for teaching me the importance of loving all and serving all. Christ-like love crosses all boundaries, and you are a shining example of all that is right with the world.

Tudie Rose

Tudie Rose is a mother of four and grandmother of ten in Sacramento, California. You can find her on Twitter as @TudieRose. She blogs as Tudie Rose at http://potrackrose.wordpress.com. She has written articles for Familius. You will find a Tudie Rose essay in Lessons from My Parents, Michele Robbins, Familius 2013, at http://www.familius.com/lessons-from-my-parents.

Mosiah 4 in the Book of Mormon details King Benjamin’s teachings about the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. He offers some insights into how the atonement of Jesus Christ impacts not just our eternal lives, but our behavior in this mortal life. If we completely understand it, the atonement will make us behave differently. This was addressed somewhat in a previous article in Enos, who, after receiving forgiveness for his sins, discovered he wanted everyone to have the same joy—even his enemies.

As King Benjamin spoke, the people began to understand their need for the atonement of Jesus Christ and prayed for mercy and forgiveness. He assured them that repenting of their sins and accepting the role of the future atonement of Jesus Christ would bring them peace of consciousness, which would then allow them have peace and joy, even in difficult times.

Mormons believe that salvation comes only through the atonement of Jesus Christ, not, as some have falsely said of Mormons, that it comes only from good works. Benjamin explained this to his people:

“I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world. And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you” (verses 7-8).

A modern Mormon apostle, the late James Faust, said:

“My reason for wanting to learn all I can about the Atonement is partly selfish: Our salvation depends on believing in and accepting the Atonement [see Mosiah 4:6–7]. Such acceptance requires a continual effort to understand it more fully. The Atonement advances our mortal course of learning by making it possible for our natures to become perfect [see Moroni 10:32]. All of us have sinned and need to repent to fully pay our part of the debt. When we sincerely repent, the Savior’s magnificent Atonement pays the rest of that debt [see 2 Nephi 25:23]” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2001, 19; or Ensign, Nov. 2001, 18).

In verse 11, King Benjamin reminds his audience that they cannot save themselves. He tells them they are nothing of themselves. He then goes on to explain how a true Christian will begin to behave once he has accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.

In verse 12, King Benjamin promises that if his people honor the atonement and love God, their entire lives will change. They will no longer have any desire to hurt other people. They will want to live peaceably and give to each person that which is his due.

Completely understanding and internalizing the atonement would help them become better parents. They would not allow their children to suffer or to fight and they would teach them to keep God’s commandments and to love one another.

Of course, to do this, they must also live this way, but with the atonement fully in their hearts, they will want to. King Benjamin says that by understanding the atonement, they will want to take care of those in need. They will never turn away a beggar, not even one who appears to have brought his troubles on himself. Why not?

For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for
gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?

And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.

And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another (Verses 19-21).

Benjamin explains that we are completely indebted to God for everything we have and thus, we are beggars, and unworthy ones at that, since we all do things that make our lives harder than necessary. Since we plead to God to help us out of those trials, we must do the same for the other people we come into contact with. He adds a note, however, that if we have nothing to give, God does not expect us to give—but He does expect us to wish we had something to give.

If the world were to follow the teachings of this chapter and fully internalize the atonement, applying it to every aspect of our lives, we could solve the majority of the world’s problems. Throughout the Book of Mormon, you will see what happens when people do this and what happens when they do not.

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

In the scriptures, we see many examples of people doing the right things, even though the world disapproves. In the Bible, we learn of Noah, instructed by God to call the people to repentance. When they refused to listen, God instructed Noah to build a boat. Take a moment to imagine how the people reacted when they saw Noah building a boat in the middle of the desert. Surely they thought he was out of his mind, and most certainly, he and his family endured a great deal of taunting as they worked. There would have been those who felt he was intolerant of them, given that he was spending a fair amount of time telling them they were sinning and needed to repent. They are likely to have believed he should accept their right to have different values than he had, and that he should back off and let them live as they had chosen to live.

Noah could have done so, of course. He could have been very quiet and felt it was their lives and he had no right to interfere. But clearly, Noah had a different way of looking at things. First, of course, his first loyalty was to God. Knowing as he did that God was real, he had to respond to what God told him to do and he was willing to do this even though it meant being ostracized by others.

Have you ever wondered what he thought about as he built his ark, working hard while mockers stood in the background, jeering, calling him names—calling him intolerant, perhaps… Did he wonder at all about why he had to do this? Did he have moments where he thought it might be better to let everyone have his or her freedom and he could just quietly live his own life in his own way?

If so, he would certainly have remembered, then, what God had said was going to happen. Noah was building a boat not for entertainment, but as preparation for a future he perhaps had trouble envisioning. It was to be a place of refuge when the promised future came. God didn’t suddenly send the flood without warning. He gave everyone ample chance to listen, pray to know if it was true, and then to repent. The fact that they didn’t believe they were sinning, that they didn’t believe in God or in the prophecies didn’t make them any less true. Whether or not they believed couldn’t change truth.

Noah’s prophecies and pleas for repentance might have seemed like persecution of some kind, but in reality, they were the ultimate kindness. He was trying desperately to save both their mortal and eternal lives. Had any of them repented, they would have been allowed on the ark. It was their own decision that they preferred what they were doing to what God wanted them to do. They had their agency, and they were required to accept the consequences of their agency, just as we are today.

It is not easy to be in the minority, fighting for what we know God wants, knowing what will happen to those who reject the message. I’m sure Noah’s heart ached for those who ignored him. Among those people might have been friends and family he loved. But he chose the higher ground, no matter how hard it was and no matter how others treated him for it.
Today, many who choose the higher ground are persecuted or accused of intolerance. Today we, as did Noah, have to hold our heads high and keep building the ark. The rain is coming. All we can do is to plead with others to find out for themselves how to prepare—and not be ashamed of what we know.

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.