Learn of Christ
Examine our lives- Accept invitation
"To come unto Christ" is not a request to participate in a single event, but to participate in a process, counseled Elder Lowell D. Wood Sunday afternoon.
"How do we begin this exciting and most important process?" asked Elder Wood, who was called to the Seventy last June. "If we are to come unto Christ, we must first listen to Him. We must learn who He is.
"We are fortunate to have the scriptures which contain the words of ancient apostles and prophets, and to have the privilege of listening to modern-day apostles and prophets testify of Christ," Elder Wood declared.
He said it is vital "on the journey to eternal life to exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repent of our sins and be baptized in the proper manner, by those holding the proper authority and using the proper prayer. After this kind of baptism we can `be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost and receive a remission of sins.' " (See 3 Ne. 12:2.)
Continuing, Elder Wood admonished: "As we come unto Christ,' we must surrender our worldly ways, our pride, our selfishness. As we yield to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we should experience amighty change in [ourT heart[sT (Alma 5:14) and become willing to submit to or accept `all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [usT.' (See Mosiah 3:19.)
"Life is often difficult. There are trials, disappointments, challenges, sickness, unemployment, etc., even for the saints. These must be borne with submissive patience, for often these trials are evidence of the Lord's hand preparing us to be worthy of living with Him.
"To yield to Christ means to put Him and His teachings first. The total submission of our will to His is one of the most difficult obstacles we face on our journey toward eternal life."
Elder Wood explained that self-control and self-discipline are important virtues that need to be developed. "Any thought, activity or action that is compatible with the name, the life or teachings of Jesus Christ is acceptable. Any behavior that is not compatible with His name, His life or His teachings is not acceptable and should be avoided.
"The process of becoming perfected requires that we receive special instruction, make sacred covenants and receive the highest ordinances of the priesthood. These blessings are available only in the temples of the Church. . . . Individuals who come unto Christ must come to His temple."
Continuing, he said, "It is my prayer that each of us examine our lives and evaluate where we are in the process of coming unto Christ and being perfected in Him.
"If you have not yet accepted the invitation to come unto Him, please do so now," he admonished.
"If you previously began the process of coming unto Christ but lost your way or took a detour, do not despair, begin again. Come back, come back now!"
