Uchtdorf - Christlike Attributes-the Wind beneath Our Wings - October 2005

President Uchtdorf talks about the difference between the organization of the church and the doctrine of the church.  Sometimes we love the organization so much for the things it brings into our lives.  We have the social aspects, the programs, the structure that all lead us to be grateful for the church.  But these are not what we believe in.  We believe in the atonement of Jesus Christ.  We believe that God has a plan for us and we are to find our way through life to keep us on that plan to return to Him.

• The Church, with all its organizational structure and programs, offers many important activities for its members aimed at helping families and individuals to serve God and each other. Sometimes, however, it can appear that these programs and activities are closer to the center of our heart and soul than the core doctrines and principles of the gospel. Procedures, programs, policies, and patterns of organization are helpful for our spiritual progress here on earth, but let’s not forget that they are subject to change. In contrast, the core of the gospel—the doctrine and the principles—will never change. Living according to the basic gospel principles will bring power, strength, and spiritual self-reliance into the lives of all Latter-day Saints.

He speaks about moral agency and patterning our lives in accordance with God's teachings.

• I believe that moral agency is one of the greatest gifts of God unto His children, next to life itself. When I study and ponder moral agency and its eternal consequences, I realize that we are truly spirit children of God and therefore should act accordingly. This understanding also reminds me that as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are part of a great worldwide family of Saints.
  

He provides great counsel that we need to be firm in our testimonies of the doctrines of the church and not in the programs of the church.  This will lead us to want to be more like the Savior and live His teachings.

• May I add a word of caution to those of us who live in large wards and stakes. We have to be careful that the center of our testimony is not located in the social dimension of the Church community or the wonderful activities, programs, and organizations of our wards and stakes. All of these things are important and valuable to have—but they are not enough. Even friendship is not enough.
  

President Uchtdorf goes on to talk about Christlike attributes.  He speaks the basics of the church to eloquently that I just want to share his words about how we follow the Savior and gain and develop these Christlike attributes.

• To follow Christ is to become more like Him. It is to learn from His character. As spirit children of our Heavenly Father, we do have the potential to incorporate Christlike attributes into our life and character. The Savior invites us to learn His gospel by living His teachings. To follow Him is to apply correct principles and then witness for ourselves the blessings that follow. This process is very complex and very simple at the same time. Ancient and modern prophets described it with three words: “Keep the commandments”—nothing more, nothing less.
• Developing Christlike attributes in our lives is not an easy task, especially when we move away from generalities and abstractions and begin to deal with real life. The test comes in practicing what we proclaim. The reality check comes when Christlike attributes need to become visible in our lives—as husband or wife, as father or mother, as son or daughter, in our friendships, in our employment, in our business, and in our recreation. We can recognize our growth, as can those around us, as we gradually increase our capacity to “act in all holiness before [Him]” (D&C 43:9).
• The scriptures describe a number of Christlike attributes we need to develop during the course of our lives. They include knowledge and humility, charity and love, obedience and diligence, faith and hope. These personal character qualities stand independent of the organizational status of our Church unit, our economic circumstances, our family situation, culture, race, or language. Christlike attributes are gifts from God. They cannot be developed without His help. The one help we all need is given to us freely through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Having faith in Jesus Christ and in His Atonement means relying completely on Him—trusting in His infinite power, intelligence, and love. Christlike attributes come into our lives as we exercise our agency righteously. Faith in Jesus Christ leads to action. When we have faith in Christ, we trust the Lord enough to follow His commandments—even when we do not completely understand the reasons for them. In seeking to become more like the Savior, we need to reevaluate our lives regularly and rely, through the path of true repentance, upon the merits of Jesus Christ and the blessings of His Atonement.
  

I am pondering how I can develop more Christlike attributes in my life.  How can I be more patient and loving to those around me when I am tired and grumpy?  How can I learn from the example of those in the scriptures to put more faith in my Savior and less reliance on my own abilities?  I see lots of areas of growth in my life and I am so lucky to have a loving Father in Heaven that will assist me in becoming the man, father, brother, son, Priesthood holder, employee, friend, leader, that he knows I can become.