Discipleship: Following in the Savior's Footsteps

There is a story in the Book of Mormon about a young man. Enos begins his account by thanking his father for teaching him the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Then he tells of some time he spent by himself, alone with his thoughts as he hunted in the forest. During this time of introspection he reflected on the many things his father had taught and his good example. Pondering these things, Enos made a discovery.

“…and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.

And my soul hungered;…” Enos 1:3-4

There are times that I too spend a little time reflecting on all the blessings of the gospel and come away feeling that I’m not where I should be. Sometimes my soul hungers.

A hungering soul is crying out for peace and assurance, it is seeking the nourishment of truth and life. It is recognizing the absence of Christ in your life. How did the distance get there? Christ stands firm as our eternal brother and friend. Why did you move? Sometimes its very little things that cause us to stumble on the Lord’s path, occasionally we completely lose our way.

How grateful I am to know that Christ will always help me find my way again and welcome me home.

For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile. 2 Nephi 26:33

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Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me. 3 Nephi 9:14

When I get there, and sit at His feet once again, my soul will be filled.

Jesus Christ has prepared a feast for each us. A feast of His word.

Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. 2 Nephi 32:3

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Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. 2 Nephi 31:20

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Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.

Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice. 2 Nephi 9:51

Christ instructs us to look to Him, for He is the Bread and Waters of Life. His love, His Gospel, are the things that fill our hearts and spirits. When we invite Christ into our lives and emulate His teachings in all our actions we are spiritual fed with nourishment that is vital to our earthly and eternal happiness.

When He offered Himself as the Bread of Life to those who gathered around Him in Galilee, many turned away. They were looking for something more tangible, more material, more worldly. It happens to all of us, the world gets in the way and we forget to look past our material needs and wants to those that can sustain us forever. We forget that the Lord has promised us His blessings if we seek Him first.

I try every day to be more like the woman at the well. When she was offered living waters, she immediately asked to drink and was filled.

I try to remember to ask every day to drink of His spirit and love; then, I seek it out as I try to live as His disciple during the daily grind of life. I try to immerse myself in the scriptures for at least a few minutes every day. I eat of the bread and waters of life each Sunday as I take the Sacrament and renew the covenants I have made with Christ to remember Him and carry His name. When I try, I am fed with His love.

May we each follow the example of Enos and drop to our knees and raise our voices to heaven so that our souls will be filled and our hearts will rejoice.