sunday thoughts.

This is a shorter version of a talk I prepared for church last Sunday. A few people asked for a copy of my talk so I figured I would just post here. I was asked to speak on James E. Faust October 2006 General Conference talk, Discipleship.

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There is a favorite primary song in our church that starts;

"I'm trying to be like Jesus,

I'm following in His ways,

I'm trying to love as He did, in all that I do and say..."

These words resonate something in me. They resonate something in each of us.

Why? Because as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we are doing just that; we are trying to be like Christ and follow his example. In doing so we become disciples of our lord.

But what is discipleship? In the October 2006 general conference, James E. Faust answered this question:

"It is primarily obedience to the Savior. Discipleship includes many things. It is chastity. It is tithing. It is family home evening. It is keeping all the commandments. It is forsaking anything that is not good for us. It emphasizes price or exercise. Self-discipline and self-control are consistent and permanent characteristics of the followers of Jesus."

When I think of disciples, I immediately think of Peter, James, John, and others that were with Christ during His ministry on earth. What Ii need to remember is that each of us is a disciple. When we decided to obey and follow the Savior.

How great of a calling we each have then!

When I was reading Faust talk, He made me realize how important this calling is for each of us to carry.

"True follower of the Savior should be prepared to lay down their lives, and some have been privileged to do so."

In Doctrine and Convents section 103: 27-28, we learn of revelation given through Joseph Smith on February 24, 1834. Parly P. Pratt and Lyman Wight came to Kirtland from Missouri seeking help and counsel from the prophet. Persecutions of the saints in Jackson County were growing and they didn't know what to do.

"Let no man be afraid to lay down his life for my sake; for whoso layeth down his life for my sake shall find it again. And whoso is not willing to lay down his life for my sake is not my disciple."

Faust goes on to tell of this story about Edward Partridge, the first bishop of the church:

"On July 20, 1833, Edward was sitting at home with his frail wife, who had just given birth. Three mobsters burst in and dragged him into the street and then in to the square, where they had already taken Charles Allen. A mob of about 300 demanded through their spokesman that Edward and Charles either renounce their faith in the Book of Mormon or leave the county. Edward Partridge responded: 'If I must suffer for my religion, it is no more than others have done before me. I am not conscious of having injured anyone in the county and therefore will not consent to leave. I have done noting to offend anyone. If you abuse me, you are injuring an innocent man.' The mob then daubed Edward and Charles from head to foot with hot tar containing pear-ash, a flesh eating acid, and then threw feathers that stuck tot eh burning tar.

The prophet Joseph Smith characterized Edward's death in these words: 'He lost his life in consequence of the Missouri persecutions, and he is one of that number whose blood will be required at their hands.' Edward Partridge left a legacy that lives on in an large and righteous posterity."

Including Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith, there are countless other faithful members, disciples, who have laid down their lives for this Gospel. What an amazing legacy of faith and courage that has been paved before us to follow! Now today, in our society, most of us will never be asked or required to give up our life for the church. But as Faust says,

"What is required is not to die for the church, but to live for it. For many, living a Christlike life every day may be even more difficult than laying down one's life."

 In our society today we will likely be asked to sacrifice something entirely different:

Maybe it is giving up that cup of coffee every morning. Maybe it is a missed night out with friends because of their media choices. Maybe it is losing hours at work so you could be to church on Sunday. Maybe finances are suddenly tight and that 10% tithe seems a lot harder this month.

Or maybe it is something bigger:

Losing your job entirely because you didn't agree with that morals of the company. Maybe it is breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend because they won't go to the temple with you to be sealed. Maybe it is an addiction to drugs, alcohol, or pornography that make it struggle just to get through the day without giving in. Maybe it is finding out you are unable to have children and you can't understand or see the plan Heavenly Father has for you instead. Maybe it is losing your entire family because they are not ready for the truth of this Gospel. Maybe you are struggling with an en-ailment or life threatening disease that won't allow you to live a care-free and normal life. Maybe you are feeling completely and utterly alone.

Brothers and sisters, I  don't know what sacrifices the Lord has asked you to make, what trials you are having to face. I do not mention these examples lightly because every one of them is someone who is very dear in my life or something I am struggling with personally. I do not mean to say I know exactly what you are going through, no one's burdens are light to carry and you are the one to carry them. But I can tell you the one thing that I do know. You are not alone. The Lord is ALWAYS there to help you.

 The primary song I spoke of earlier continues:

"At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice."

Satan is still around. He is still adding his two cents into our lives. So we may slip up, commit a sin, or two, or ten. Faust gives us words of hope:

"It is never too late to change. Discipleship does not come from positions of prominence, wealth, or advanced learning. The disciples of Jesus Christ come from all walks of life. However, discipleship does require us to forsake evil transgression and enjoy what President Spencer W. Kimball has called 'the miracle of forgiveness.' "

When speaking of the Atonement, my favorite words come from the April 2009 General Conference where Elder Jeffery R. Holland spoke of this amazing gift to each of us. When I heard him speak, I was in a point in my  life where I was choosing to not be a disciple of the Lord. I had decided it was to hard, to much was being asked of me, it hurt to much to suffer through what trials I was facing. I felt it was easier just to do things my way.

"Because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly along, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path--the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of that Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are...

My other plea...is that these scenes of Christ's lonely sacrifice, laced with moments of denial and abandonment and, at least once, outright betrayal, must never be reenacted by us. He has walked alone once. Now, may I ask that never again will He have to confront sin without our aid and assistance, that never again will He find only unresponsive onlookers when He sees you and me along His Via Dolorosa in our present day...may we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear...may we stand by Jesus Christ 'at all times and in all things and in all places that we may be in, even until death,' for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone."

The primary song ends:

"Love one another as Jesus loves you,

Try to show kindness in all that you do;

Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, for these are the things Jesus taught."

As disciples of Christ, we need to follow his example. Faust gave several examples of lessons we can take away from Christ ministry, these are the ones that I feel are most important.

We call all do something good every day-whether that is for a family member, friend, co-worker, or completely stranger. Be the good you want to see around you. Look for those opportunities to serve. Second, we can seek out those who are lost or lonely-befriend them. We were not meant to go through this life alone, why do you think the Lord has surround you and I with so many people? We are here to support one another and lift each other. Brighten someones day by talking to them and wanting to sincerely know how there day is going. Have compassion. Lastly, remember that you are a disciple and you can "stand as a witness of God at all times."

Like I have done before, many will think this is too hard. The price of discipleship is too expensive. How is this all worth it?

When we are obedient, we receive the strength needed to find happiness and fulfillment in our lives. Don't forget Holland's words, we are never alone. Discipleship can bring comfort, peace, and joy. As Faust taught us,

"Through discipleship of the Savior, we come to know and believe in our hearts and minds the saving principles and ordinance of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Through discipleship, we come to appreciate the profound mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith in restoring those saving principles in our time. Discipleship brings purpose to our lives so that rather than wandering aimlessly, we walk steadily on that straight and narrow way that leads us back to our Heavenly Father."

I can't think of a better reward and blessing than eternal life with my family and my Heavenly Father. I want to be able to return to Him and be able to say. "I was and I am your devoted disciple."

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.