Christofferson - Let Us Be Men - October 2006

Elder Christofferson speaks to the men of the church and our obligation to be positive influences in the lives of others.

• We who hold the priesthood of God cannot afford to drift. We have work to do (see Moroni 9:6 ). We must arise from the dust of self-indulgence and be men! It is a wonderful aspiration for a boy to become a man—strong and capable; someone who can build and create things, run things; someone who makes a difference in the world. It is a wonderful aspiration for those of us who are older to make the vision of true manhood a reality in our lives and be models for those who look to us for an example.
  

He speaks of true manhood being seen in the way that we treat the women in our lives:

• In large measure, true manhood is defined in our relationship to women.
  

He shares that a key component of being men of honor is the integrity that we possess:

• Integrity is fundamental to being men. Integrity means being truthful, but it also means accepting responsibility and honoring commitments and covenants.
  
• Good men sometimes make mistakes. A man of integrity will honestly face and correct his mistakes, and that is an example we can respect. Sometimes men try but fail. Not all worthy objectives are realized despite one’s honest and best efforts. True manhood is not always measured by the fruits of one’s labors but by the labors themselves—by one’s striving.

He encourages us to use the example of the Savior as our ultimate example of the way we should act as men:

• The Lord asked His disciples what manner of men they should be and then answered, “Verily I say unto you, even as I am” ( 3 Nephi 27:27 ; see also 3 Nephi 18:24 ). That is our ultimate quest.
  

He asks us what Christ did that we can emulate in our lives.  He says:

• Jesus rejected temptation.
  
• The Savior was obedient.
  
• Jesus “went about doing good”.
  
• The Savior was fearless in opposing evil and error.
  

He concludes with a reminder that Christ is our example and that we have an obligation to help others along the path of life.

• He gave His life to redeem mankind. Surely we can accept responsibility for those He entrusts to our care. Brethren, let us be men, even as He is.

We live in the world where taking responsibility for yourself is less common.  Elder Christofferson's counsel to the men of the church should inspire us to take on the responsibilities we each have as priesthood holders.  The women in our lives need us to step up and be men.  It is my prayer that this talk will remind and inspire us to be more than we have been and become more like the Savior in the way we work with others.