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Discipleship: The Journey of Transformation
Today’s inspiration is drawn from “Discipleship” by Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during October 2000.
Learning from Elder Perry
In the realm of faith and discipleship, we often discover pearls of wisdom that guide us along our spiritual journey. Today, we draw inspiration from the insightful words of Elder L. Tom Perry, a revered member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Through his powerful talk on “Discipleship,” we embark on a path of transformation and spiritual growth.
Scriptural Inspiration: The Essence of Discipleship
The essence of discipleship is beautifully encapsulated in the Bible, “The Power of the Book of Mormon in Becoming More Powerful Priesthood Holders” In Luke 18:22, we find the story of a rich young man to whom Christ issued a challenging test: “Sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, … come, follow me.” This verse reminds us of the sacrifices and unwavering commitment demanded of true disciples.
Spiritual Housecleaning: A Lesson from Elder Perry's Mother
Elder Perry begins his message with a poignant childhood memory. He fondly recalls the guidance of his mother in managing housecleaning chores. Her wisdom to focus on the corners and mopboards serves as a metaphor for our spiritual lives. We are often meticulous about what’s visible, but it’s in the hidden corners that we must diligently clean.
Elder Perry identifies the realm of thoughts as a critical corner where we must pay special attention. Proverbs 23:7 cautions, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Our thoughts shape our lives, and, as Elder Perry emphasizes, it is essential to keep them focused on spiritual matters.
The Discipline of Thought: A Corner of Spiritual Housecleaning
Elder Perry highlights the discipline of thought as an integral aspect of discipleship. He quotes James Allen, who wrote in “As a Man Thinketh,” that our thoughts form the foundation of our actions and character. Thoughts crystallize into habits, which, in turn, solidify into circumstances.
Our spiritual housecleaning should, therefore, begin with our thoughts. The ideal is to keep our minds focused on spiritual matters, allowing us to transform ourselves into true disciples of Christ.
Focus on the Home: Strengthening Discipleship through Family
Elder Perry underscores the significance of our families in discipleship. He quotes President Spencer W. Kimball, who emphasized that the Church’s success hinges on how well we live the gospel within our homes. The home is a place where love, support, and gospel-centered activities should thrive.
To be true disciples, we must ensure that our families reflect the teachings and principles of the gospel. Our actions and behavior within our households are crucial elements of our discipleship.
A Call to Regimens of Spiritual Housecleaning
Elder Perry’s general counsel is clear: we must establish regimens for spiritual housecleaning. These regimens are ongoing and continuous processes designed to draw us nearer to the Savior, thus becoming His disciples.
The central purpose of our lives is to prepare to meet God and inherit His blessings. Elder Perry invokes the example set by the Savior during His earthly ministry and encourages us to follow in His footsteps by becoming true disciples.
Becoming True Disciples
True discipleship means learning to be like Christ. It involves a total transformation, moving from the natural man to a saint who loves the Lord and serves with heart, might, mind, and strength. It is the most demanding yet rewarding regimen one can undertake.
Elder Perry quotes the Savior’s own words in Matthew 16:24, where we are instructed to “deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” To take up the cross means to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to keep His commandments.
Spiritual Housecleaning: Making Way for Obedience
Elder Perry aptly compares the process of spiritual housecleaning to preparing ourselves to be obedient to the Lord. This involves shedding bad habits and worldly distractions that compromise our devotion.
When we clean out the hidden corners of worldliness, we prepare our hearts and minds to receive the Lord’s word and keep His commandments.
The Transformation of Alma: A Powerful Example
Elder Perry draws upon the powerful example of Alma’s transformation. As a young man, he led the people astray and was cast off from the kingdom of God. However, through humility and repentance, he became a devoted disciple, a powerful teacher of the gospel, and a source of inspiration to us all.
A Family's Sacrifice for Discipleship
Elder Perry shares a touching story from his family history, where his ancestors’ dedication to discipleship is evident. They sacrificed wealth and comfort for the sake of the gospel, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the Lord.
A Helping Hand: An Act of Discipleship
In conclusion, discipleship requires sacrifice and commitment. We learn from Elder Perry’s words that spiritual housecleaning is an ongoing process, and the essence of discipleship lies in our unwavering commitment to the Lord. We must shed worldly distractions and cleanse our thoughts to be true disciples.
Making the World a Better Place
Elder Perry’s message carries a universal truth. In our own spiritual housecleaning, let us also consider cleaning up the world around us. As we strive to become true disciples, we can extend a helping hand to those in need, embrace selflessness, and participate in acts of service.
By reflecting the principles of discipleship in our daily lives, we can create a world where love, compassion, and commitment to the Lord and our fellow beings prevail.
Let us heed the call to spiritual housecleaning and embrace the journey of transformation toward becoming disciples of the Lord. May our efforts inspire others to follow the same path, making the world a better place for all. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, we can accomplish great things. Amen. Link to the original: Discipleship
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The content discusses the concept of discipleship and transformation, drawing inspiration from Elder L. Tom Perry’s teachings. It emphasizes the importance of spiritual housecleaning, the role of family in discipleship, and the need to become true disciples of Christ through continuous effort.
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