Many of us have a desire to be as Christlike as possible, as this is the ultimate goal for us in this life. As spirit children of our Heavenly Father, we do have the potential to incorporate Christlike Attributes into our life. The Savior invites us to learn His gospel by living His teachings. In order to be Christlike we need to learn the basics of the gospel, and lucky for us Christlike Attributes are the basics. However, they are not so easy to develop in this life on our own. Christlike Attributes are gifts from God. They cannot be developed without His help. The scriptures describe a number of Christlike Attributes we need to develop during the course of our lives. They include
faith,
hope,
charity and
love,
virtue,
knowledge,
patience,
humility,
diligence, and
obedience. Christlike Attributes come into our lives as we exercise our agency righteously. Developing Christlike Attributes can be a painful process. We need to be ready to accept direction and correction from the Lord and His servants. As we develop Christlike Attributes in our own lives, step-by-step, they will “bear [us] up as on eagles’ wings.” (
D&C 124:18.) Since becoming a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I have learned how much I am lacking in many of these Christlike Attributes. I know as well as anyone how hard it can be to develop these characteristics, so in these next few blog posts I will share some experiences on how I have helped myself improve on them each individually. As you read and seek to develop the attributes described in this blog and other attributes found in the scriptures, the following pattern may be helpful:
• Identify the attribute you wish to develop.
• Write a definition and description of the attribute.
• Record questions to answer as you read.
• List and study thoroughly passages of scripture that teach about the attribute.
• Set goals and make plans to apply the attribute in your life.
• Pray for the Lord to help you develop the attribute.
• Evaluate your progress periodically in developing each attribute.
Elder, I have just a few suggestions for your blog, quotes from missionarytips.wordpress.com.
ReplyDelete• "Keep your blog posts short and interesting. Write about YOU and YOUR EXPERIENCES. Blog posts should not be written like a lesson for a church manual.
• "Testify often.
• "Invite your readers to do something such as, visit Mormon.org to learn more or chat with a missionary, read, study, pray, ponder, attend church, or post their own comments."
Your blog is good Elder, but it will be more captivating and will help others more if you make it personal, make it about you or someone you are close to, tie that into the gospel, and then invite your readers to do something.
Keep up the good work Elder!