FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST Summary

183rd Annual General Conference of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Sunday Afternoon, 7 April 2013

Key Doctrines and Principles:
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Elder Oaks expounded how the example and teachings of Jesus Christ define the lives and beliefs of His followers. He invited all who follow Christ, both members and nonmembers, to consider how we may each qualify for the kingdom of God. Some key ways Elder Oaks suggested to follow the Savior's example are: scripture study; baptism; repentance; obedience to the commandments of God; worthily partaking of the sacrament; sincere prayer and fasting; and serving, forgiving, and teaching others.  

Favorite Quotes: 

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“One of our most beloved hymns . . . begins with these words:

‘Come, follow me,’ the Savior said.

Then let us in his footsteps tread . . .  Hymn 116

Those words [were] inspired by the Savior’s earliest invitation to His disciples.

 (see Matthew 4:19)" 

"All of the messages of this conference help us follow in the footsteps of our Savior, whose example and teachings define the path for every follower of Jesus Christ. Like all other Christians, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints study the life of our Savior as reported in the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.”

“Jesus’ teachings were not meant to be theoretical. Always they were to be acted upon. . . .

 In another beloved hymn we sing:

                        Savior, may I learn to love thee,

                        Walk the path that thou hast shown. …

                        Savior, may I learn to love thee—

                        Lord, I would follow thee. Hymns, no. 220

 As Jesus taught, those who love Him will keep His commandments.

       (Matthew 7:24; Matthew 24:46; Luke 11:28).”

“Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice but a continuous commitment and way of life that applies at all times and in all places.”

“[Jesus Christ] invites all of us who are heavy laden to come unto Him, to learn of Him, to follow Him, and thus to find rest to our souls (seeMatthew 4:19; 11:28)."

So what?

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Following the example of Jesus Christ requires a serious commitment adhered to by diligent choices and practices. This is best accomplished when we recognize the validity of Elder Oaks teachings that we are God’s children, and understand “we are all heirs of our heavenly parents. ‘We are the children of God,’ the Apostle Paul taught, ‘and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ’ (Romans 8:16–17). This means, as we are told in the New Testament, that we are ‘heirs … of eternal life’ (Titus 3:7) and that if we come to the Father, we are to ‘inherit all things’ (Revelation 21:7)—all that He has—a concept our mortal minds can hardly grasp.” When we learn these truths, then we revere both Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ and willingly choose to follow Christ’s example. Our loved hymn, “Come Follow Me” finishes with this admonition:

                         “Is it enough alone to know 

                        That we must follow him below,

                        While trav’ling thru this vale of tears?

                        No, this extends to holier spheres. …

                        For thrones, dominions, kingdoms, pow’rs,

                        And glory great and bliss are ours,

                        If we, throughout eternity,

                        Obey his words, “Come, follow me.”

                                    Hymns, no. 220 by John Nicholson

As Elder Oaks taught, “Achieving this ultimate destiny in eternity is possible only if we follow our Savior, Jesus Christ, who taught that ‘no man cometh unto the Father, but by me’ (John 14:6).”