Christlike Character

I ponder back to the many times in my life when I have been unkind, unsympathetic, mean, cruel, judgmental, questioning, doubtful, unloving, or otherwise negative. I look upon moments like those with regret.

My thoughts have been led by the Spirit this morning, to the jewels of knowledge found in Matthew 11:28-30.

In the past, I have feared the effort required to give God my life. The yoke sometimes looks heavy, and I shy away from it.

Though, the effort of thinking, pondering, praying and studying to receive revelation on how to improve ourselves, and then goal setting, planning and executing upon such revelation is the secret to happiness.

Personally, I am currently on the path of repentance in said secret to happiness – though I believe I always will be.

There is a quote of what we could see the Savior saying, that says something along the lines of, “I didn’t say it would be easy, but I did say it would be worth it.”

The journey of building a Christlike character is that yoke to carry. The choice to live as He lives, and become as He is. It is a very hard journey, but, oh, how peaceful the feelings inside I get, when I experience the mighty change of heart.

President David O McKay said, “Man’s chief concern in life should not be the acquiring of gold, or of fame, or of material possessions. It should not be the development of physical prowess, nor of intellectual strength, but his aim, the highest in life, should be the development of a Christlike character” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O McKay, Chapter 23).

I cannot describe the thrill of feeling I feel when I have chosen to forget myself in all of my struggles – no matter how deep they are – and help another friend or stranger with their struggles.

Elder David A Bednar hit the nail on the head for me when he spoke of Christ having suffered for 40 days and nights of hunger and starvation, and on top of that, the adversary’s temptations. Christ chose to send angels to minister and help John the Baptist instead of having angels minister to Himself.

Elder Bednar hit the nail on the head when he spoke of Christ’s suffering of infinite quality in the Garden of Gethsemane, then witnessing the quick ear removal operation by Simon Peter upon a Roman guard. Christ chose to restore his ear. The question then arises: “how is it Christ worried about another’s ear, when His whole body and soul just suffered the burden of the sins of the world upon Him?”

The Brethren and all prophets in times past have hit the nail on the head for me, when they witness of Christ’s love, His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, His suffering and service throughout His life, and His example up until His mortal end on the cross.

When we were in the Pre-mortal council, and He said “here am I, send me,” I’m sure we all looked at Him in the deepest of reverence, and of broken heartedness, as we understood He would be the one to carry us through mortality, bear all our sins, and suffer infinitely more than any and all who suffer in this life. More than the starving in third world countries, more than the raped and abused all their lives, more than all the guilty souls in this mortal existence.

This is why Christ leaps with joy for every act of kindness someone makes for another.

The thrill I get when I forget myself and help another, is not something I make of myself – God places it in my to share with me His gratitude for that act of selflessness.

It is worth every push of my soul, and every painful sacrifice to be Christlike.

I recommit to repentance in this regard, and will focus more on my improvement, knowing that as I improve myself, I’ll improve the world!

I finish this recording of my testimony with a quote I love, which Elder Madson in my mission shared as his all-time favourite quote: “everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves.”

Let’s prove that quote wrong.