I’m a counselor in the Stockbridge GA ward bishopric these days. Just one volunteer church position in a long list of them I've held over the years. As part of that responsibility, I have the assignment to invite members of our congregation to speak in sacrament meetings from time to time. As a bishopric, we spent some time recently considering what topics we should have speakers focus on. Our bishop has been thinking a lot recently about the attributes or characteristics of the Savior. Of course, that list is long. How does one narrow it down? Which of all should be focused on? That might be a difficult question, but here is one place to start. From the church website there is an entry titled ‘Attributes of Christ’.
It is found here:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe/becoming-like-jesus/attributes-of-christ
The site has a specific list. Each attribute comes with a short explanation and one scripture that relates to the example. The list is: faith, hope, charity, love, virtue, patience, and humility. During our discussion we focused on the relationships among words like faith, belief, know, love, and act. Many years ago, I developed a continuum (my general way of thinking) that followed the Book of Mormon prophet Alma’s description of the progress from ‘desire to believe’, to ‘believe’, to ‘faith’ and finally to ‘know’. As we wrote the earlier words on the white board in the bishop’s office, the relationships seemed less linear and more circular. The relationships among them seemed to be two-way between each and among them all. As we considered any two words, they appeared completely co-productive of each other term. Sorry to allow the academic term (co-productive) to seep into this note. It’s just the way I think. It simply means that each term helps define the others and is also defined by the others.
Whatever attributes or characteristics one considers of Jesus, the youth guidebook for personal development published by the church quotes the scripture Luke 2:52 “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” His attributes, and our goals, can be grouped into the four areas of this scripture as the guidebook points out: spiritual, social, physical, and intellectual. I hope to become more Christ-like. I hope to understand these attributes by attempting my best to live them and be willing to let Jesus take my burdens each time I fall short.
To the degree we each work in our life as emissaries of the Savior, we are helping others to gain Christ-like attributes as we ourselves are as well.
It is found here:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe/becoming-like-jesus/attributes-of-christ
The site has a specific list. Each attribute comes with a short explanation and one scripture that relates to the example. The list is: faith, hope, charity, love, virtue, patience, and humility. During our discussion we focused on the relationships among words like faith, belief, know, love, and act. Many years ago, I developed a continuum (my general way of thinking) that followed the Book of Mormon prophet Alma’s description of the progress from ‘desire to believe’, to ‘believe’, to ‘faith’ and finally to ‘know’. As we wrote the earlier words on the white board in the bishop’s office, the relationships seemed less linear and more circular. The relationships among them seemed to be two-way between each and among them all. As we considered any two words, they appeared completely co-productive of each other term. Sorry to allow the academic term (co-productive) to seep into this note. It’s just the way I think. It simply means that each term helps define the others and is also defined by the others.
Whatever attributes or characteristics one considers of Jesus, the youth guidebook for personal development published by the church quotes the scripture Luke 2:52 “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” His attributes, and our goals, can be grouped into the four areas of this scripture as the guidebook points out: spiritual, social, physical, and intellectual. I hope to become more Christ-like. I hope to understand these attributes by attempting my best to live them and be willing to let Jesus take my burdens each time I fall short.
To the degree we each work in our life as emissaries of the Savior, we are helping others to gain Christ-like attributes as we ourselves are as well.
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