BEING A MORE CHRISTIAN CHRISTIAN Summary

182nd Semi-annual General Conference 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Sunday afternoon, October 2012

Key Doctrines and Principles:

In this General Conference address Elder Hales thoroughly defines the term Christian, the doctrines about Jesus Christ that are unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and “the call of Christ to every Christian today: ‘Feed my lambs. … Feed my sheep’—share my gospel with young and old, lifting, blessing, comforting, encouraging, and building them.”

He then inquires, “How are we doing in our quest to follow Christ? . . . The Savior spent His days serving others—lifting up the weary and strengthening the weak.” Elder Hales adds, “He taught that Christians cannot contend with other Christians, notwithstanding their differences.”

When Jesus asked Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother to become “fishers of
men . . . they straightway left their nets, and followed him (Matthew 4:18–20).” Elder Hales emphasizes that “as Christians today, we have the opportunity to act straightway, immediately, and decisively . . . to reject worldly habits, customs, and traditions, . . .  forsake our sins, [and follow the Master].” This process is called conversion—we are “converted,” to become more like him; “our very natures change and we no longer want to go back to our old ways. (See Ether 12:27; Mosiah 5:2.)”

Elder Hales requests Christians to specifically consider 10 Christ-like qualities (Christian love, faith, sacrifice, caring, service, patience, peace, forgiveness, conversion, and endurance to the end)  and promises that “as we follow [Christ], He blesses us with gifts, talents, and the strength to do His will, allowing us to go beyond our comfort zones and do things we’ve never before thought possible.”

Favorite Quotes:

“Denying ourselves of ungodly behavior is the beginning of repentance, which brings a mighty change of heart until 'we have no more disposition to do evil (Mosiah 5:2)'. This change, called conversion, is possible only through the Savior. . . . As we are made new in Christ, our very natures change and we no longer want to go back to our old ways.”

“The call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior has promised that He will make us equal to His work. . . . As we follow Him, He blesses us with gifts, talents, and the strength to do His will, allowing us to go beyond our comfort zones and do things we’ve never before thought possible.

So What?  

Elder Hales instructs, “We feed His lambs in our homes by how we live the gospel: keeping the commandments, praying, studying the scriptures, and emulating His love. We feed His sheep in the Church as we serve . . . And we feed His sheep throughout the world by being good Christian neighbors, practicing the pure religion of visiting and serving the widows, the fatherless, the poor, and all who are in need.”

Like Peter and the other apostles at the time of Christ we are all converts. “As we are made new in Christ, our very natures change and we no longer want to go back to our old ways,” states Elder Hales. When “refining challenges” come and we experience difficulties and disappointments “we may be tempted to return to our old ways.”

Elder Hales asks us to continually evaluate our “conversion.” He pleads to any “who have returned to . . . less faithful ways [to] consider the faithful example of Peter. Do not delay. Come . . . straightway return to Him and receive His abundant blessings once again.”