Becoming Like him.

Elder Scott Whiting

Oral Presentation Notes

“Perhaps you are like me —all too aware of your faults and failings, so you may find it mentally more comfortable to walk a path with no upward incline and little growth. “

What level of effort would we be willing to give to invite His miraculous power into our lives so that we can change our very nature?

We are not wicked, we are half-hearted, we extol but do not emulate.

We are to become more like him. This is not any one sect, this is for all people.

There is no other way to heal the wounds of broken relationships or fractured society.

Let us consider how to set up a meaningful path to gain Christlike attributes.

Focus on the next step when fatigued. Over time daunting tasks become achievable. PI This is the principle of hope.

Desire to change needs to know who he is, act on studying scriptures for these attributes, we need to see these attributes in others, honesty in accessing our state against a standard.

If we see these attributes in others, we can hope we can attain those for ourselves.

We need to ask what Christlike attribute we need and brace ourselves for the answer.

Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel has an activity on Christlike Attributes.

Then repent. To repent is to change.

Repentance is only possible through Christ’s grace.

We must keenly focus on our attribute, it will not come immediately but incrementally.

PI Incrementally is another way of saying line upon line. See the last talk.

Your diligent effort to obtain one attribute becomes the tide that raises all boats.

Your eye changes, when you focus on your attribute you see it displayed more in the scriptures. You see it in people inside and outside the church as powerful examples.

You are good enough, you are loved, but that does not yet mean you’re complete.

The only antidote for the world in commotion is to become more like him.

10 Insights from the written talk

But what if becoming “even as [He is]” is not figurative, even in our mortal condition? What if it is, to some degree, attainable in this life and, indeed, a prerequisite to being with Him again? What if “even as I am” is exactly and precisely what is meant by the Savior? Then what? What level of effort would we be willing to give to invite His miraculous power into our lives so that we can change our very nature?

To rephrase that superlative sentence, What effort shown is enough to invite the Lord’s power in our life?

The first step on this path to becoming like Jesus Christ is to have the desire to do so. Understanding the admonition to be like Him is good, but that understanding needs to be coupled with a yearning to transform ourselves, one step at a time, beyond the natural man. To develop the desire, we must know who Jesus Christ is. We must know something of His character, and we must look for His attributes in scripture, worship services, and other holy places. As we begin to know more of Him, we will see His attributes reflected in others. This will encourage us on our own quest, for if others can attain in some measure His attributes, so can we.

The footnotes to this except give another talk to find enlightenment. See Matthew 7:23; 25:12; Mosiah 26:24; see also footnotes to each scripture; David A. Bednar, “If Ye Had Known Me,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 102–5.

Once you have made an honest assessment and resolved to start the hike up the mountain, you will need to repent. President Russell M. Nelson lovingly taught: “When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy—the joy of redemption in Him. When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ.”

Another footnote given, another whole talk to consume. Russell M. Nelson, “We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 67.

It is important for me as I strive to become like Him to record my experiences and what I am learning. As I study with one of His attributes deep in my mind, the scriptures become new as I see examples of this attribute in His teachings, His ministry, and His disciples. My eye also becomes more focused on recognizing the attribute in others. I have observed wonderful individuals both within and without the Church who have attributes that emulate Him. They are powerful examples of how those attributes can be manifest in mere mortals through His loving grace.

Now that you have resolved to change and repent and have sought guidance through praying, pondering honestly, and possibly counseling with others, you will need to select an attribute that will keenly become your focus. You will need to commit to exerting meaningful effort. […] By focusing deeply on one needed attribute, as you progress in obtaining that attribute, other attributes begin to accrue to you. Can someone who is focusing deeply on charity not increase in love and humility? Can someone who is focusing on obedience not gain greater diligence and hope? Your significant efforts to gain one attribute become the tide that raises all boats in the harbor.

In order to see real progress, you will need to put in sustained effort. […] True Christianity, in which we strive to become like our Master, has always required our best efforts.

Intresting footnote:

See Sheldon, In His Steps, 246: “If our definition of being a Christian is simply to enjoy the privileges of worship, be generous at no expense to ourselves, have a good, easy time surrounded by pleasant friends and by comfortable things, live respectably and at the same time avoid the world’s great stress of sin and trouble because it is too much pain to bear it—if this is our definition of Christianity, surely we are a long way from following [in] the steps of Him who trod the way with groans and tears and sobs of anguish for a lost humanity; who sweat, as it were, great drops of blood, who cried out on the upreared cross, ‘My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?’”

Now a brief word of caution. The commandment to be like Him is not intended to make you feel guilty, unworthy, or unloved. Our entire mortal experience is about progression, trying, failing, and succeeding.

You are good enough, you are loved, but that does not mean that you are yet complete. There is work to be done in this life and the next. Only with His divine help can we all progress toward becoming like Him.

And put that on your quote wall!

In these times, when “all things [appear to] be in commotion; and … fear [is seemingly] upon all people,” the only antidote, the only remedy, is to strive to be like the Savior,18 the Redeemer of all mankind, the Light of the World, and to seek after Him who declared, “I am the way.”

So many footnotes for that last excerpt: Doctrine and Covenants 88:91

91 And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people.

Isaiah 43:3 Old Testament

3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

Job 19:25 Old Testament

25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: This is going on my all-time favorite talks list.

John 8:12 New Testament

12 ¶ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 14:6 New Testament

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Summary

So this is going in my all time favorite, rock star, list of talks. I am out of time so I am closing this talk commentary. Just some reminders, I bold gospel principles, I italicize longer important ideas,and PI in just my comment marker for my notes. Personal Inspiration abbreviated.

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