Come listen to living prophets

Monday, June 28, 2010

Captained by Christ

This is one of my favorite quotes. Whenever I make a decision I try to remember these words from Ezra Taft Benson:
"When you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed . . .
The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature . . .
Yes, Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world. Men changed for Christ will be captained by Christ. Like Paul they will be asking, 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?' (Acts 9:6). Peter stated they will 'follow his steps'(1 Peter 2:21). John said they will 'walk, even as he walked' (John 2:6).
Finally, men captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ. To paraphrase President Harold B. Lee, they set fire in others because they are on fire.
Their will is swallowed up in His will (see John 5:30). They do always those things that please the Lord (see John 8:29). Not only would they die for the Lord, but more importantly they want to live for Him.
Enter their homes, and the pictures on their walls, the books on their shelves, the music in the air, their words and acts reveal them as Christians. They stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places (see Mosiah 18:9). They have Christ on their minds, as they look unto Him in every thought (see D&C 6:36). They have Christ in their hearts as their affections are placed on Him forever (see Alma 37:36).
In Book of Mormon language, they 'feast upon the words of Christ' (2 Nephi 32:3), 'talk of Christ' (2 Nephi 25:26), 'rejoice in Christ' (2 Nephi 25: 26), 'are made alive in Christ' (2 Nephi 25:25), and 'glory in [their] Jesus' (see 2 Nephi 33:6). In short, they lose themselves in the Lord, and find eternal life (see Luke 17:33)."

I framed these words and posted them on my wall to remind myself of the person I am trying to become. I started this blog because I wanted a way to share my love for Jesus Christ and His gospel with my family and my friends. I hope you enjoy your visit and that you will come back often as I share those things I love that I feel are "virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy."