How Am I Becoming a Disciple of Christ?

All of the missionaries in Lila's mission were asked to prepare a 2 page response to the question "How am I becoming a disciple of Christ?" for a vist by Elder Packer (the Apostle's son) later this month. Here is what Lila wrote:
Connecting to the Vine: Thoughts on Discipleship


In discussing the questions "How am I becoming a disciple of Christ? and What am I learning in the process?" we might first ask, "What is a disciple of Christ?" In John 15:1-6 the Savior told his apostles, “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” The Savior says that he is the vine and we have to connect to him. Becoming a disciple of Christ is simply the process of learning to connect to that vine.

I have learned that independence doesn’t sanctify me. It is only through the Atonement of Christ that I can become exalted. If I was determined to be independent of God or Christ’s help I would land myself in the Telestial Kingdom. It is only through accepting Christ’s help and Atonement by learning to connect myself to that vine that I will become a disciple of Christ and a celestial person.

To connect to the vine I have to be willing to receive instruction. Just as is said in the sacrament prayers “that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them” (D&C 20:77). I know that giving our will to God is a key aspect in becoming a disciple of Christ. As I am working on this process of turning my will over to the Lord I have learned that I can become like God; but it’s going to take a long time and it will only be possible through a power much greater then my own: the power of Christ’s Atonement.

Christ told his followers repeatedly that if they were to be his disciples they would have to be willing to give up everything. He told Joseph Smith in modern revelation, “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” (D&C103:27-28). Part of being willing to give all to God includes listening and obeying God’s commandments. Christ expressed this in the Doctrine and Covenants “He that receiveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you” (D&C 41:5). Thus acting in obedience is essential to being Christ’s disciple. Because of my obedience to the Savior I am learning to be steadfast and immovable in the gospel and have been able to avoid many pitfalls of sin.

After we are willing to accept Christ as our Savior and strive to do his will we must accept his gospel. As James E. Talmage explained in his book Jesus the Christ, “Acceptance of Jesus as the Christ implies obedience to the laws and ordinances of his gospel” (pg342-343). Through partaking of both baptismal covenants and temple covenants I am beginning to see the power inherent in those ordinances. I have learned for myself that there is a great strength in covenants. As I have been able to be in the temple and feel the Spirit there I have learned to better listen and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. I am better at sensing the peace and calm I feel when the Spirit is near. Christ explained, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27-28). I know that as I learn to listen to these promptings I will be better able to recognize the voice of the Savior and have a greater desire to be a disciple of Christ and to follow his commandments.

One of the commandments that Christ gave to his followers was to love others as he had loved them. “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35). Loving others is a key sign of being a disciple of Christ. When Christ asked if Peter loved him, Peter said,“Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep” (John 21:17). Along with feeding people spiritually, Christ also implored us to nourish them physically, “And remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple” (D&C 52:40). Becoming a missionary has opened up my eyes to the potential of all of God’s children and has allowed me to feel greater charity for those around me.

So “What is a disciple of Christ?” Someone who loves others not just in word or emotion but in action; they apply Christ teachings into their lives through obedience, and express this obedience through the principles and ordinances of the gospel. In my personal journey to become a disciple of Christ I have found that the process is not anything that has stemmed from my talent or personal ability but stems from the Savior. Ultimately all the spiritual knowledge I have gained are all things that have increased my ability to rely on Him.