I am reading the New Testament in my religious course and have written a list of attributes I derived from the Apostle Paul that he counseled members to improve, being disciples of Christ in His church:
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13; 4:1-12; 5:1-22; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-6,11
- Increase and abound in love one to another and all men (continued spiritual growth and improvement more and more in efforts to please God)
A quote from Henry B. Eyring tells us how important this principle is in our day: “As the forces around us increase in intensity, whatever spiritual strength was once sufficient will not be enough. And whatever growth in spiritual strength we once thought was possible, greater growth will be made available to us. Both the need for spiritual strength and the opportunity to acquire it will increase at rates which we underestimate at our peril” (
- Have hearts "...unblameable in holiness before God..." and separate ourselves from unholy and unclean things.
This comes through our efforts and God's work of purifying our hearts: “Holiness … comes by faith and through obedience to God’s laws and ordinances. God then purifies the heart by faith, and the heart becomes purged from that which is profane and unworthy” (“Standing in Holy Places,”Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 62).
- We need to be chaste and “abstain from fornication,” “possess [their] vessel” (control their bodies), and choose not to give in to “lust of concupiscence” (lustful passions).
I found this excellent quote from Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles which stated: “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a single, undeviating standard of sexual morality: intimate relations are proper only between a man and a woman in the marriage relationship prescribed in God’s plan. Such relations are not merely a curiosity to be explored, an appetite to be satisfied, or a type of recreation or entertainment to be pursued selfishly. They are not a conquest to be achieved or simply an act to be performed. Rather, they are in mortality one of the ultimate expressions of our divine nature and potential and a way of strengthening emotional and spiritual bonds between husband and wife. We are agents blessed with moral agency and are defined by our divine heritage as children of God—and not by sexual behaviors, contemporary attitudes, or secular philosophies” (“We Believe in Being Chaste,” Ensign orLiahona, May 2013, 42).
What I really liked about this quote is that it reflects my own thoughts and feelings on the matter and refutes any and all attempts and explanations of deviating from this standard. What people don't get in this sex saturated world is that by living a lower standard and law, they are missing out on a very sacred powerful aspect of sexual relations. Only in and through marriage can it be achieved.It is the true ultimate experience that those who participate in any version other than God's appointed plan seem to be seeking, searching, and chasing around and around with insatiable appetites always missing the mark, getting further and further from it.Only to find themselves empty, lonely, and wanting-even as they are enraptured in their newest and latest escapade.What is this ultimate experience you ask? It is the fusion of all aspects of this most wonderful, God inspired sexual intimacy, in the ultimate spiritual, emotional, and physical expression and bonding that can only be achieved through God's approval.The key, the missing element, the very thing that cannot be present to achieve this when not used in God's way or for self gratifying purposes is the spiritual aspect. It can only be through and by giving of oneself - in marriage- as man and wife ultimately come together to serve one another and have their hearts unified with love and sacrifice, and centered on Christ.
-Live a quiet life serving and communing with God.
Elder Bruce D. Porter of the Seventy taught: “Personal prayer, study, and pondering are vital to the building up of the kingdom within our own souls. It is in quiet moments of contemplation and communion with the Almighty that we come to know and love Him as our Father” (“Building the Kingdom,” Ensign, May 2001, 81).
-Don't meddle in other's lives needlessly
-Work with your own hands and be honest, don't be dependent on others for that which you are capable of doing yourself.
-We must honor others and not take advantage or wrong them, don't render evil for evil only follow that which is good.
-Pray without ceasing and rejoice.
-In everything give thanks.
- We need to stay in the light of the Gospel and not the darkness and drunkeness of the world, watch and be sober. Be ready ( not waiting to prepare), paying heed to the words of Christ and his apostles for Christ's Second Coming will be at a time when many will not be ready for it.
- Have on the Breast Plate of Faith and the Helmet of Hope.
-"Know and "esteem" leaders in the church and sustain them.
-"Quench not the Spirit" Elder David A. Bednar states that we should avoid activities that will drive the spirit away:
“If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing. If that which is intended to entertain, for example, alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us. Because the Spirit cannot abide that which is vulgar, crude, or immodest, then clearly such things are not for us. Because we estrange the Spirit of the Lord when we engage in activities we know we should shun, then such things definitely are not for us.
“… As we become ever more immersed in the Spirit of the Lord, we should strive to recognize impressions when they come and the influences or events that cause us to withdraw ourselves from the Holy Ghost” (“That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us,”Ensign or Liahona, May 2006, 30).
-Keep the peace
-Be patient towards all men and serve and comf0rt others, warning those that are out of line.
- “prove all things”—meaning to distinguish between good and evil—and to “hold fast that which is good”
-“Abstain from All Appearance of Evil”
This exerpt is from the Institute New Testament Manual: "... or in other words, from all “kinds” of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22, footnote b). Church officials have also used 1 Thessalonians 5:22 to teach that we should avoid appearing as though we are doing something evil. For example, President James E. Faust taught: “I strongly urge you that if there is any question in your minds or hearts about whether your personal conduct is right or wrong, don’t do it. It is the responsibility of the prophets of God to teach the word of God, not to spell out every jot and tittle of human conduct. If we are conscientiously trying to avoid not only evil but the very appearance of evil, we will act for ourselves and not be acted upon” (“The Devil’s Throat,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2003, 51). Paul offered similar counsel in 1 Corinthians 8:9–13.
I can testify of the truths of the importance of avoiding the presence of evil. When others question what I mean, I am always trying to explain it to them in such a way that they can understand that even though something is innocent enough or you mean no wrong by it, the potential can be there for false interpretation or become a slippery slope or others walk away confused, etc. the possibilities are endless. I am glad I can share these scriptures and counsel from the church leaders to back me up.
Well that was a very long list of attributes and may seem like a tall order as saints to follow, but if we just reach out our hand to Christ and come unto Him, he will lift us and strengthen us as we follow Him and His example. We will find as we do this that we will in deed be able to "increase and abound" in all these attributes more and more.
I am going to choose three of these attributes to work on for the next six weeks and report my experiences as I "increase" and improve myself so I will be more prepared for the Second Coming of my Savior.
1. Continued spiritual growth through showing more love and charity to those around me and studying my scriptures consistently.
2. In the words of a Hymn, "More holiness Give Me"! I will work on having greater personal purity by increasing my faith and obedience to Gods laws and commandments.
3. "Quench not the Spirit" - I will strive to keep the spirit with me and in the home by listening and playing hymns more often, having regular prayer and scriptures personally and with the family, and recognize impressions from the spirit when they come.
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