Discipleship: Following in the Savior's Footsteps

In Doctrine and Covenants 109:7 it reads:

And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith; (D&C 109:7)

This is a reminder about the responsibilities of discipleship. When we recognize our place as a follower of Christ and commit ourselves to serving Him in every facet of our lives, we also covenant to do the things He did to the best of our personal ability. One of the things Christ spent a great deal of time doing was teaching and learning.

Even though it may appear there were times in the scriptures when Christ abruptly told someone, “come, follow me ”, it is far more likely that there was more to the story than is recorded. Christ never asked His disciples to follow Him blindly. He prepared and taught them on whatever level of understanding they were at. He expected His followers to know exactly why they were following Him. The gospel of Jesus Christ is just as much a gospel of study and understanding as it is of faith.

Jesus Christ recognizes that not all of us will learn, hear, or understand the gospel in the same way. That is part of the reason He asks us to accept responsibility for teaching and uplifting each other: He wants no one, who would follow Him to be left behind on the path. To some, faith is a very natural part of their being; to others, they are more comfortable with study, knowledge and reasoning. Neither one is bad, or superior. We are instructed to be engaged in both activities.

We must learn and study the words of Jesus Christ as they are found in the scriptures. We look for other works of literature that carry the Spirit, rather than drive away its presence. We need to find a place for all these things in our lives and implement their teachings. When we take that step from learning to implementing we are exercising the measure of faith that is in us.

For every aspect of the gospel, there is reason and order. We have not been asked to do anything in the name of Jesus Christ that can’t be tried and trusted through study and preparation. True, God’s reasons for His instructions may not always be perfectly clear from the beginning, but their will always be a ring of truth to them that we can recognize if we are immersed in His words and ways.

There is another similar passage to be found in the Doctrine and Covenants.

But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. (D&C 9:-8)

This is the pattern of Jesus Christ. For every commandment, for every request from one of His servants, we are entitled to the knowledge that it is right and good, both through study and through faith.

This is why Christ made a point of asking the disciples, “Whom say ye that I am.” We are to understand, accept, and rejoice in Him fully. We are striving to stand as His witness with all our heart, might, mind and strength. Every part of who we are can love and testify of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Seek for that in your own life. Christ does not ask for blind faith, He asks for the best that is in us, all the best. Then, in the process of coming to know Christ we find we’re better than we ever thought we could be.

What does membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the LDS Church) mean for the disciple of Christ? Is it possible to be a disciple without membership? The most basic answer to the second question is yes of course. Anyone who realizes how important Jesus Christ is to them can begin a new life as His disciple. Emulating Jesus Christ is the best goal for anyone in this world. In fact, it is the primary purpose of our time on earth.

As we’ve discussed many times, discipleship is a growth process that allows us to be a little bit more like the Savior every day. The disciple of Christ truly desires to follow Christ, to carry His name, and serve those around him in the best ways he can. That process starts from wherever we find ourselves.

But, there is another factor involved in becoming a disciple. The disciple of Christ carries the Spirit of Christ within his heart and nature. It whispers guidance, assurance, peace, and understanding. It testifies of Jesus Christ and the eternal truths He taught. The disciple of Christ recognizes and embraces truth.

Because you are reading this blog, I know that you have had some dealings with the LDS Church. That may mean you are a life-time member or someone making a casual inquiry. Either way, the first question each of us found in this place, at this time, is: What do I believe about Jesus Christ? Then, after we’ve looked inside of ourselves and pondered our answers to this basic question we can move forward.

A belief in Jesus Christ is a foundation in good. It is the best place to build up a lasting part of ourselves. What we accomplish on this foundation carries the greatest value both here and in heaven. When we have established where we stand in our beliefs and love for Christ, we can move on to the next valuable question: What am I willing to do in His name? How can I best be His disciple? Again, these answers are individual.

The one thing that every disciple needs to keep in mind, both with their own dealings with their fellow man and in the way they view an organized religion of any type is: everything in the Church of Jesus Christ is about pleasing the Lord. Everything. Not politics, not station, not money, not prestige, not anything else.

Because of the light within me, because of my own desires to be a dedicated disciple, I recognize the truth that permeates The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but more importantly I recognize its focus. Everything in the LDS Church is about pleasing the Lord. That’s why this disciple chooses membership in a “peculiar” religion.

I have friends in many different religions. I hear their heartbreak as they watch members of their own congregations forget the most basic principles of discipleship. I do not pretend that there are no problems within our congregations. We are still human, but I think there is a very basic difference in how we operate and how many others do. We take our discipleship very seriously. We make covenants associated with our belief in Jesus Christ. We willingly enter into binding promises with our God to serve and honor Him. If something is happening that is contrary to the basic mission of pleasing God and supporting His doctrines it can, should, and will be corrected.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a source of truth but most of all it is a source of commitment. I came because of Jesus Christ; I continue because of Jesus Christ, I try to please the Lord. If you’re ready to take your discipleship to the next level, let your heart look more closely at the truths that can be found here. It gives every member/disciple a chance to actively move closer to Christ in every way. It’s the best home I’ve found for the disciple of Christ.

Everything in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is about Jesus Christ.