Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Quote of the Day: Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Elder JosephB. Wirthlin:

“Two characteristics identify Christians: (1) they profess belief in the Savior, and (2) they act in harmony with the Savior’s teachings. Faithful members of the Church, called Saints or Latter-day Saints, qualify clearly in both characteristics. In our belief and our action, we demonstrate that ‘Jesus Christ himself [is] the chief corner stone’ of our faith [ Ephesians 2:20 ]....

“... By definition a Christian not only professes belief in the Savior, but a Christian lives and acts according to the teachings and commandments of Jesus Christ. He taught, ‘Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father’ [ Matthew 7:21 ; italics added]. Jesus also said, ‘If ye love me, keep my commandments’ [ John 14:15 ; D&C 124:87 ]. He commanded us to pattern our lives after His [see 3Nephi 12:48 ; Matthew 5:48 ; 3Nephi 27:27]. True disciples of the Lord must be ‘doers of the word, and not hearers only’ [ James 1:22 ]....

“As we take His name upon us, we most certainly are Christians, for we bear the name of Christ. Each week as we partake of the emblems of bread and water, we do it in remembrance of Him. We renew our covenant that we ‘are willing to take upon [us] the name of [the] Son [of God], and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given [us]’ [ D&C 20:77 ]” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 96, 98–99; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 70, 72

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