Discipleship

POSITION STATEMENT

A disciple is someone who exemplifies the Savior Jesus Christ in their everyday lives. Discipleship doesn't just happen, I believe it is a something we have to work toward on a daily basis. As I studied the lives and teachings of the living apostles this semester I came to understand that they are my living examples of discipleship. A disciple strives to know and stand as a witness of the Savior Jesus Christ and understands it is their life mission to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. They faithfully strive to exemplify his teachings in word and deed and receive strength and knowledge of the Savior through keeping the commandments, daily scripture study and prayer. They have the courage to remove themselves from places where the light of Christ cannot dwell.

I know that though I am not perfect, I can strive to emulate the life of the Savior Jesus Christ through word and deed. I can willingly warn my neighbor of the joy and mission of the Savior Jesus Christ. I can sincerely endeavor to be a consecrated disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.

QUOTES

1.

“Surely the angels of heaven wept as they recorded this cost of discipleship in a world that is often hostile to the commandments of God. The Savior Himself shed His own tears over those who for hundreds of years had been rejected and slain in His service.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Cost-and Blessings of Discipleship, General Conference, April 2014

2.

“Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not an effort of once a week or once a day.  It is an effort of once and for all.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, General Conference- “Are You Sleeping Through The Restoration? April, 2014

3.

"Let us learn and contemplate our duty. Let us be willing and worthy to serve. Let us in the performance of our duty follow in the footsteps of the Master. As you and I walk the pathway Jesus walked, we will discover He is more than the babe in Bethlehem, more than the carpenter’s son, more than the greatest teacher ever to live. We will come to know Him as the Son of God, our Savior and our Redeemer."

President Thomas S. Monson, “Willing and Worthy To Serve”, General Conference, April 2012

4.

"As disciples of Christ, we stand apart from the world. There may be times we feel uncomfortable as the fingers of scorn mock and dismiss what is sacred to us. President Thomas S. Monson warned, “Unless the roots of your testimony are firmly planted, it will be difficult for you to withstand the ridicule of those who challenge your faith.” Nephi said, “[Heed] them not.” Paul admonished, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; … Be not … ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.” We never leave Him."

Elder Neil L. Anderson, “Never Leave”, General Conference, October 2010

5.

"In the final assessment, our personal discipleship will not be judged by friends or foes. Rather, as Paul said, “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” At that day the important question for each of us will be, “What thinks Christ of me?”"

Elder Neil L. Anderson, “What Think Christ of Me”, General Conference, April 2012

6.

"As disciples of Jesus Christ, we ought to do all we can to redeem others from suffering and burdens."

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “Redemption”, General Conference, April 2013

7.

"He was not teaching a simple class in ethical behavior. This was the Son of God pleading with His Apostles and all disciples who would come after them to remember and follow this most central of His teachings. How we relate and interact with each other is a measure of our willingness to follow Jesus Christ."

Elder Quentin L. Cook, “We Follow Jesus Christ”, General Conference, April 2010

8.

"So here we have the burden of those called to bear the messianic message. In addition to teaching, encouraging, and cheering people on (that is the pleasant part of discipleship), from time to time these same messengers are called upon to worry, to warn, and sometimes just to weep (that is the painful part of discipleship)."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Cost and Blessings of Discipleship”, General Conference, April 2014

9.

"And that leads us to the next title we all have in common: all who strive earnestly to follow the Christ are called His disciples. Although we recognize that none of us are perfect, we do not use that fact as an excuse to lower our expectations, to live beneath our privileges, to delay the day of our repentance, or to refuse to grow into better, more perfect, more refined followers of our Master and King."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Four Titles”, General Conference, April 2013

10.

“The call is to come back, to stay true, to love God, and to lend a hand. To all within the sound of my voice, the voice of Christ comes ringing down through the halls of time, asking each one of us while there is time, “Do you love me?” And for every one of us, I answer with my honor and my soul, “Yea, Lord, we do love thee.” And having set our “hand to the plough,” we will never look back until this work is finished and love of God and neighbor rules the world.”
Elder Jeffery R. Holland, “The First Great Commandment”, Conference October 2012

11.

“As true disciples, may we offer our willing hearts and our helping hands to hasten His work. It does not matter if, like Brynn, we have only one hand. It does not matter if we are not yet perfect and complete. We are devoted disciples who reach out and help each other along the way. Our sisterhood reaches across the generations to those faithful sisters who have walked before. Together, as sisters and in unity with living prophets, seers, and revelators with restored priesthood keys, we can walk as one, as disciples, as servants with willing hearts and hands to hasten the work of salvation

Linda K. Burton, “Wanted: Hands and Hearts to Hasten the Work”, General Women’s Meeting, April 2014

12.

“But living the Lord’s pure religion, which means striving to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ, is a way of life and a daily commitment that will provide divine guidance. As you practice your religion, you are exercising your faith. You are letting your faith show.”

Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Let Your Faith Show”, General Conference, April 2014