You know, I've always looked up to my former mission president, Elder Klebingatt. For me, he represents the sort of hard-hitting, dedicated disciple that I want to be.
He's almost ferocious in the way he lives the gospel. And I want to be more ferocious.
Let's talk about some gospel heroes today. So what does living the gospel really look like?
Things to learn from NEPHI
Strength: I love Nephi's strength. I love how in hard situations, he didn't complain or doubt.
And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my father began to murmur against the Lord his God; yea, and they were all exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord.
(1st Nephi 16:20)
Wherefore, they came unto me, and loosed the bands which were upon my wrists, and behold they had swollen exceedingly; and also mine ankles were much swollen, and great was the soreness thereof. Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions. (1st Nephi 18:15-16)
But behold I said unto them that: As the Lord liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us. (1st Nephi 3:16)
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. (1st Nephi 3:7)
Things to learn from MORONI
Dedication: I loved how focused he was on the truly important tasks that were placed before him.
Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God. (Alma 48: 7)
And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians.
And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;
Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.
Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.
(Alma 48:10-13)
Things to learn from CHRIST
Humility and an eye single to God's glory:
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:39)
"For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak." (John 12:49)
Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (Mosiah 4:14)
So, in conclusion:
1. Be strong in times of trial! Praise God when things get hard! Look forward with an eye of faith and expect that God will deliver you.
2. Be focused on the right things! Work tirelessly to defend right and goodness and truth. Prepare for battle against the enemy.
3. In complete humility, acknowledge your dependence and love for Heavenly Father. Look to him for instruction often and respond with alacrity to His commandments.
He's almost ferocious in the way he lives the gospel. And I want to be more ferocious.
Let's talk about some gospel heroes today. So what does living the gospel really look like?
Things to learn from NEPHI
Strength: I love Nephi's strength. I love how in hard situations, he didn't complain or doubt.
And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my father began to murmur against the Lord his God; yea, and they were all exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord.
(1st Nephi 16:20)
Wherefore, they came unto me, and loosed the bands which were upon my wrists, and behold they had swollen exceedingly; and also mine ankles were much swollen, and great was the soreness thereof. Nevertheless, I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions. (1st Nephi 18:15-16)
But behold I said unto them that: As the Lord liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us. (1st Nephi 3:16)
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. (1st Nephi 3:7)
Things to learn from MORONI
Dedication: I loved how focused he was on the truly important tasks that were placed before him.
Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God. (Alma 48: 7)
And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians.
And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;
Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.
Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.
(Alma 48:10-13)
Things to learn from CHRIST
Humility and an eye single to God's glory:
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:39)
"For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak." (John 12:49)
Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (Mosiah 4:14)
So, in conclusion:
1. Be strong in times of trial! Praise God when things get hard! Look forward with an eye of faith and expect that God will deliver you.
2. Be focused on the right things! Work tirelessly to defend right and goodness and truth. Prepare for battle against the enemy.
3. In complete humility, acknowledge your dependence and love for Heavenly Father. Look to him for instruction often and respond with alacrity to His commandments.
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