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What Elder Rasband learned from studying the names of Christ.

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What Elder Rasband learned from studying the names of Christ.

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When Elder Ronald A. Rasband was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles five years ago, President Thomas S. Monson emphasized to him that he was to be one of the "special witnesses of the name of Jesus Christ in all the world" ( Doctrine and Covenants 107:23).

"I want you to know, I did not take that charge lightly," Elder Rasband said during a prerecorded BYU-Hawaii devotional address broadcast on Oct. 20.

Since that time, he has pored over the scriptures and identified more than 200 names and titles of the Lord Jesus Christ, "all the while focusing on their significance in my own life and the lives of all of God's children," he said.

Studying the names of Christ is not reserved for Apostles. Speaking to the students of BYU-Hawaii, he said, "I encourage you to know Him not only through His teachings, His miracles and His parables, but to know Him by His many names."

The Book of Mormon is a great resource in one's study of Christ's many names. Nephi pays tribute to the Lord in the very first verse of the book and the people of King Benjamin testified of a mighty change in their hearts because of the "Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent" ( Mosiah 5:2). Moroni called for each person "to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written" ( Ether 12:41).

I encourage you to know Him not only through His teachings, His miracles and His parables, but to know Him by His many names.

"When we seek Jesus, as these Nephites did, we receive a witness of His divinity, we desire to follow His example, we recognize His power and His mission to atone for each one of us, that we may have eternal life," Elder Rasband said.

Christ is there for each person whether they falter or press forward. "He loves us in our brightest and our darkest hours," Elder Rasband said.

The account of the brother of Jared demonstrates the Lord's willingness to give light as well as correction. During the calamities of the Tower of Babel, the brother of Jared turned to the Lord for deliverance. The Lord instructed the Jaredites to journey to a land of promise. But when they arrived at the seashore, they grew complacent and for four years, they "remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord" ( Ether 2:14).

The Lord then came to the brother of Jared in a cloud and chastened him for three hours.

"Did the Lord dismiss the brother of Jared and look for another disciple to exhibit obedience and commitment to be led to the promised land?" Elder Rasband asked. "No. Neither does He give up on us when we falter."

The Lord instructed the brother of Jared to build barges for his people to cross the ocean to the promised land, telling them to cut holes in the top and bottom in order to let in air. When the brother of Jared asked what they would do about light, the Lord asked, "What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?" ( Ether 2:23).

The brother of Jared then moltened 16 small stones and asked the Lord to touch them with His finger so they would shine in the darkness. When the Lord granted his request, the veil lifted and he saw the Lord's finger and in vision the full history of the world.

"We, like the Jaredites, are on a journey to the promised land which is exaltation with our Father in Heaven and His Son," Elder Rasband said. "Do you feel that glow of the gospel in your heart and do you touch others with your sure knowledge and testimony that Jesus Christ is 'the great Redeemer,' the 'light of truth,' 'the light which ye shall hold up'?"

When we seek Jesus ... we receive a witness of His divinity.

This same light was in the Sacred Grove when Joseph Smith had the First Vision. When Joseph saw two personages in a pillar of light, one spoke to him by name and pointed to the other, saying, "This is my Beloved Son. Hear Him" ( Joseph Smith History 1:17).

"The name 'Beloved Son' says much about Jesus Christ and the love and confidence the Father has in His First Born," Elder Rasband said. "As part of the Father's plan of happiness, Jesus Christ was to be 'the light and the Redeemer of the world'" ( Doctrine and Covenants 93:9).

This light in the Sacred Grove ushered in the Restoration of the gospel. During the April 2020 general conference, President Russell M. Nelson presented " The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World " - an inspired document prepared by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Elder Rasband encouraged each person to personally study the Restoration Proclamation and consider committing it to memory. "So many important truths about Jesus Christ are made clear and will strengthen your testimony and that of others as you ... share what you know," he said.

Just like the Jaredites, everyone today will face tempests of challenges, setbacks and disappointments that will propel them forward in their journeys to the promised land. Instead of only seeing the fierceness of the wind, the Lord sees progress in personal development and changes of heart.

"We may go down into the deep as did the Jaredites, but the Lord will bring us up and even while we are there, He will continue to provide us His light," Elder Rasband said. "From the storms of life, we become faithful and effective servants of Jesus Christ able to, someday, command mountains as did the brother of Jared."

Mountains of doubt, rejection, disappointment and sorrow can weigh one down. But a sure foundation can be found in Jesus, the "rock of our Redeemer" ( Helaman 5:12).

This same sure foundation is found in the temple, in homes where the Spirit of the Lord is invited, in Church attendance, in fulfilling ministering assignments, in partaking of the sacrament and in trusting in the Lord.

From the storms of life, we become faithful and effective servants of Jesus Christ.

When his grandson, Paxton, died at age 3, Elder Rasband and his family felt the healing that comes from trusting God in the midst of trials. Paxton had been born with a rare genetic disorder and had many health problems during his short life, but Heavenly Father taught their family many special and tender lessons during that time.

Like the Jaredites, "we were out on the water with the wind and the waves, yet He provided us His light, even in the depths of our grief," Elder Rasband said.

In honor of Paxton, Elder Rasband's sister Nancy Schindler made a quilt featuring 26 names of Jesus Christ - from A to Z. "The quilt reminds me of the glorious future family reunion with Paxton made possible through our Savior's suffering, sacrifice and Resurrection," he said.

Elder Rasband closed his address with the promise that "if you will study His many names, you will feel the love of the Lord in your life, and in the process, come to know Him for who He is ... ."

Sister Melanie Rasband, Elder Rasband's wife, also spoke during the devotional. She recounted an experience she had while she and Elder Rasband had travelled to Kailua, Hawaii, on assignment for a stake conference. During that trip, Sister Rasband was taking a walk on the beach at their hotel when she tripped on a tree root and fell on a lava rock.

"I struggled to get ready to join my husband for a meeting that day," she recalled during her devotional remarks. "My wrists were extremely sore and I had scrapes on my palms and on my knee and I just wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make it."

When her ride brought her to a dinner prior to the meeting, the stake president and others greeted her with great compassion and a doctor was summoned. Her wrists had both been sprained - thankfully not broken - and he quickly got to work taking care of her scrapes and wrapping her wrists in ace bandages to give them the support they needed.

"This was an especially tender experience for me and one that was very special because that ... stake was the same stake that I had lived in as a teenager when my father served in the army at Fort Shafter and we lived in Hawaii," Sister Rasband said.

"I felt I had come home to a loving family who truly cared for me spiritually, emotionally and - especially this time physically."

Many students at BYU-Hawaii are away from home, but through the gospel, they are part of a BYU family. By being obedient, faithful and desirous to help others, the Holy Ghost will give guidance on how to tend and help one another with comfort and care, she said.

"While away from home, may you truly be brothers and sisters in helping each other as the Lord would in serving and ministering one to another."

Names and titles of Christ

These were listed by Elder Rasband during his devotional address:

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What Elder Rasband learned from studying the names of Christ

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Which Christlike Attribute are you most grateful for?

When has Christ demonstrated this attribute on your behalf?

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Christlike Attributes

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1. Pick your favorite Name or Title of Jesus Christ.

2. What does this title or name teach you about Jesus Christ?

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How can you become more like Jesus Christ?

Which Attribute do you want to work onion your now life? Why?

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6

Consider This

How can I develop attributes that will make me a more powerful and effective minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

How will developing Christlike attributes help me fulfill my purpose as a missionary?

Which attribute do I most need to develop?

At the beginning of His mortal ministry, Jesus Christ walked along the shore of the sea of Galilee and called out to two fishermen, Peter and Andrew. "Follow me," He said, "and I will make you fishers of men" ( Matthew 4:19; see also Mark 1:17). The Lord has also called you to His work, and He invites you to follow Him. The invitation to follow Christ is an invitation to follow His example and to become like Him, which can only happen through the Atonement of Jesus Christ (see Mosiah 3:19).

Some chapters in Preach My Gospel focus on what you need to do as a missionary-how to study, how to teach, how to manage time wisely. Just as vital as what you do, however, is who you are and who you are becoming. This is part of what it means to endure to the end through increasing your faith in Christ, continuing regularly to repent of your sins by relying upon Christ, renewing your covenants with the Father and the Son through partaking of the sacrament regularly, and following the promptings of the Holy Ghost in all things.

The restored gospel enables you to become like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The Savior has shown the way. He has set the perfect example, and He commands us to become as He is (see 3 Nephi 27:27). Learn of Him and seek to incorporate His attributes into your life. Through the power of His Atonement, you can achieve this goal and lead others to achieve it also.

The scriptures describe Christlike attributes that are essential for you to eventually develop as a missionary and throughout your life. Study the scripture passages in this chapter and look for other examples of Christlike attributes as you study other passages.

Christlike attributes are gifts from God. They come as you use your agency righteously. Ask your Heavenly Father to bless you with these attributes; you cannot develop them without His help. With a desire to please God, recognize your weaknesses and be willing and anxious to improve.

Scripture Study

What do these scriptures say about following Jesus Christ's example?

What is the relationship between the first principles of the gospel and Christlike attributes?

Ideas for Studying This Chapter
There are many approaches for studying this chapter. Try one of the following ideas:

As you complete the " Attribute Activity " at the end of this chapter, identify the attribute you most need or want to develop. Study the section about that attribute, and set goals for developing it.

Read through the chapter without studying the scriptures, and determine which attribute you want to study more fully. Then study the key scriptures associated with the attribute. Search for additional scriptures not listed in the chapter that teach about the attribute. Record ideas for developing the attribute in your study journal.

Identify an attribute you wish to study. Follow the pattern under the heading " Developing Christlike Attributes " found near the end of the chapter.

© 1989 Conceptions Unlimited Investments, Inc. Do not copy.

When you have faith in Christ, you believe in Him as the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. You accept Him as your Savior and Redeemer and follow His teachings. You believe that your sins can be forgiven through His Atonement. Faith in Him means that you trust Him and are confident that He loves you.

Faith leads to action, including repentance, obedience, and dedicated service. When you have faith in Jesus Christ, you trust the Lord enough to follow His commandments-even when you do not completely understand the reasons for them. You accomplish what the Lord wants you to accomplish. You help bring about good in your own life and the lives of others. You are able to do miracles according to the Lord's will. Your faith will be manifest through diligence and work.

Faith is a principle of power. God works by power, but His power is usually exercised in response to faith (see Moroni 10:7). He works according to the faith of His children. Doubt and fear are opposed to faith.

Your faith will increase through diligent study, prayer, dedicated service, and obedience to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and the commandments.

Your faith in Jesus Christ grows as you become better acquainted with Him and His teachings. As you explore the scriptures and search them, you learn of His ways, His love for all people, and His commandments.

Faith includes confidence in the mission and power of the Holy Ghost. Through faith you receive answers to your prayers and personal inspiration to guide you in the Lord's work.

Scripture Study

What is faith?

Hope
"Being blessed with hope, let us, as disciples, reach out to all who, for whatever reason, have 'moved away from the hope of the gospel' ( Col. 1:23). Let us reach to lift hands which hang hopelessly down."

Hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance. It is believing and expecting that something will occur. When you have hope, you work through trials and difficulties with the confidence and assurance that all things will work together for your good. Hope helps you conquer discouragement. The scriptures often describe hope in Jesus Christ as the assurance that you will inherit eternal life in the celestial kingdom.

President James E. Faust taught:

"Hope is the anchor of our souls. ...

"Hope is trust in God's promises, faith that if we act now, the desired blessings will be fulfilled in the future. ...

"The unfailing source of our hope is that we are sons and daughters of God and that His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, saved us from death" (" Hope, an Anchor of the Soul," Ensign, Nov. 1999, 59-60).

Scripture Study

Charity and Love

© 2001 Simon Dewey. Do not copy.

A man once asked Jesus, "Which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus replied: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" ( Matthew 22:36-39).

Charity is "the pure love of Christ" ( Moroni 7:47). It includes God's eternal love for all His children. We are to seek to develop that kind of love. When you are filled with charity, you obey God's commandments and do all you can to serve others and help them receive the restored gospel.

Charity is a gift from God. The prophet Mormon said that we should "pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that [we] may be filled with this love" ( Moroni 7:48). As you follow this counsel and strive to do righteous works, your love for all people will increase, especially those among whom you labor. You will come to feel a sincere concern for the eternal welfare and happiness of other people. You will see them as children of God with the potential of becoming like our Heavenly Father, and you will labor in their behalf. You will avoid negative feelings such as anger, envy, lust, or covetousness. You will avoid judging others, criticizing them, or saying negative things about them. You will try to understand them and their points of view. You will be patient with them and try to help them when they are struggling or discouraged. Charity, like faith, leads to action. You will develop charity as you look for opportunities to serve others and give of yourself.

Scripture Study

What is charity?

Virtue
Virtue originates in your innermost thoughts and desires. It is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. Since the Holy Ghost does not dwell in unclean tabernacles, virtue is prerequisite to receiving the Spirit's guidance. What you choose to think and do when you are alone and you believe no one is watching is a strong measure of your virtue.

Virtuous people are clean and pure spiritually. They focus on righteous, uplifting thoughts and put unworthy thoughts that lead to inappropriate actions out of their minds. They obey God's commandments and follow the counsel of Church leaders. They pray for the strength to resist temptation and do what is right. They quickly repent of any sins or wrongdoings. They live worthy of a temple recommend.

Your mind is like a stage in a theater; in the theater of your mind, however, only one actor can be on stage at a time. If the stage is left bare, thoughts of darkness and sin often enter the stage to tempt. But these thoughts have no power if the stage of your mind is occupied by wholesome thoughts, such as a memorized hymn or verse of scripture that you can call upon in a moment of temptation. By controlling the stage of your mind, you can successfully resist persistent urges to yield to temptation and indulge in sin. You can become pure and virtuous.

Scripture Study

Knowledge
The Lord commanded, "Seek learning, even by study and also by faith" ( Doctrine and Covenants 88:118). He also warned, "It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance" ( Doctrine and Covenants 131:6). Seek knowledge, especially spiritual knowledge. Study the scriptures every day, and also study the words of the living prophets. Through study and prayer, seek help for your specific questions, challenges, and opportunities. Give special attention to scripture passages you can use as you teach and as you answer questions about the restored gospel.

Think about how you can apply gospel principles in your life. As you study diligently, prayerfully, and with pure intent, the Holy Ghost will enlighten your mind, teach you, and help you understand the meaning of the scriptures and the teachings of living prophets. You can also gain knowledge by watching and listening to others, especially Church leaders. Like Nephi, you can say: "My soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them. ... Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard" ( 2 Nephi 4:15-16).

Scripture Study

How does knowledge help us do the Lord's work?

How can you obtain knowledge?

Patience
Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious. It is the ability to do God's will and accept His timing. When you are patient, you hold up under pressure and are able to face adversity calmly and hopefully. Patience is related to hope and faith-you must wait for the Lord's promised blessings to be fulfilled.

You need patience in your everyday experiences and relationships, especially with your companion. You must be patient with all people, yourself included, as you work to overcome faults and weaknesses.

"Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of a more serious nature. There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required."

Activity: Personal Study

Study Mosiah 28:1-9. What were the desires of the sons of Mosiah?

What was the Lord's counsel to those missionaries? (See Alma 17:10-11 and 26:27.)

What were some results of their patience and diligence? (See Alma 26.)

Write your answers in your study journal.

Scripture Study

Why is patience important? How are patience and faith related?

Humility

Humility is willingness to submit to the will of the Lord and to give the Lord the honor for what is accomplished. It includes gratitude for His blessings and acknowledgment of your constant need for His divine help. Humility is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of spiritual strength. When you humbly trust Him and acknowledge His power and mercy, you can have the assurance that His commandments are for your good. You are confident that you can do whatever the Lord requires of you if you rely on Him. You are also willing to trust His chosen servants and follow their counsel. Humility will help you as you strive to be obedient, to work hard, and to serve selflessly.

The opposite of humility is pride, which is condemned in the scriptures. To be prideful means to put greater trust in oneself than in God or in His servants. It also means to put the things of the world above the things of God. Prideful people take honor to themselves rather than giving God the glory. Pride is competitive; those who are prideful seek to have more and presume they are better than other people. Pride usually results in feelings of anger and hatred, and it is a great stumbling block.

Scripture Study

Diligence
Diligence is steady, consistent, earnest, and energetic effort in doing the Lord's work. The Lord expects you to work diligently-persistently and with great effort and care. A diligent missionary works effectively and efficiently. Diligence in missionary work is an expression of your love for the Lord and His work. When you are diligent, you find joy and satisfaction in your work.

Do many good things of your own free will (see Doctrine and Covenants 58:27). Don't wait for your leaders to tell you what to do. Continue until you have done all you can, even when you are tired. Focus on the most important things and avoid wasting time. Pray for guidance and strength. Plan regularly and effectively. Avoid anything that distracts your thoughts or actions.

"I have often said one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy. There will be no homesickness, no worrying about families, for all time and talents and interests are centered on the work of the ministry. Work, work, work-there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work."

-President Ezra Taft Benson

The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson (1988), 200

Scripture Study

How does diligence relate to agency?

Obedience
As a missionary, you are expected to keep the commandments willingly, to obey mission rules, and to follow the counsel of your leaders. Obedience is the first law of heaven. It is an act of faith. You may sometimes be required to do things you do not completely understand. As you obey, you increase in faith, knowledge, wisdom, testimony, protection, and freedom. Strive to be obedient to the Lord, the living prophet, and your mission president.

"The discipline contained in daily obedience and clean living and wholesome lives builds an armor around you of protection and safety from the temptations that beset you as you proceed through mortality."

Scripture Study

What can you learn about obedience from these scriptures?

Why did the young warriors in Helaman's army obey with exactness? How were they blessed?

Developing Christlike Attributes
As you study and seek to develop the attributes described in this chapter and other attributes found in the scriptures, the following pattern may be helpful:

Identify the attribute you wish to develop.

Write a definition and description of the attribute.

Record questions to answer as you study.

List and study thoroughly passages of scripture that teach about the attribute.

Record your feelings and impressions.

Set goals and make plans to apply the attribute in your life.

Pray for the Lord to help you develop the attribute.

Evaluate your progress periodically in developing each attribute.

Activity: Personal Study

Identify an attribute from this chapter or from the scriptures. Follow the pattern found above to better understand and plan for developing the attribute.

Look at the image of the name tag. How does your name tag differ from that worn by an employee of a company? Note that the two most prominent parts are your name and the Savior's name. How can you ensure that you represent the Savior as one of His disciples? Why is it important for people to associate your name with the Savior's in a positive way? Write your thoughts in your study journal.

Scripture Study

Remember This

You need to be a Christlike missionary, not just do missionary things.

Learning to be like Christ is a lifelong pursuit.

You follow Christ's example-develop His attributes-one action and decision at a time.

Changing to become Christlike requires exercising faith, repenting, keeping covenants, receiving an increased measure of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.

Ideas for Study and Application
Personal Study

Prepare a five-minute talk on one of the attributes discussed in this chapter.

Using the Topical Guide or Guide to the Scriptures, look for ways the Savior has exemplified the attributes described in this chapter. Record what you learn in your study journal.

Periodically complete the "Attribute Activity" at the end of this chapter.

Identify an attribute in this chapter. Ask yourself:

Find examples of Christlike attributes in the lives of men and women in the scriptures. Record your impressions in your study journal.

Companion Study

District Council, Zone Conferences, and Mission Leadership Council

Several days before district council, zone conference, or mission leadership council, ask each missionary to select one of the attributes in this chapter or in the scriptures and prepare a five-minute talk on that attribute, including scriptures that have helped him or her.

Allow time in the meeting for a few missionaries to share their talks.

Divide the missionaries into three groups, and give them the following assignment:

Group 1: Read 1 Nephi 17:7-16 and answer the following questions:

Group 2: Read Jacob 7:1-15 and answer the following questions:

Group 3: Read Joseph Smith-History 1:8-18, and answer the following questions:

After the groups finish, bring the missionaries together and ask them to share what they discussed.

Share an experience of when you were blessed or inspired by another person's faith.

Have missionaries refer to the "Attribute Activity." Give each missionary a piece of paper on which to write his or her answers.

When they have completed the worksheet, invite them to set personal goals.

Ask a few of the missionaries to share what they learned and felt as they completed the worksheet.

Share your testimony concerning the importance of developing Christlike attributes.

Mission President, His Companion, and His Counselors

Ask missionaries to read one of the four Gospels in the New Testament or 3 Nephi 11-28. Have them underline what the Savior did that they can also do.

Use goal setting and planning to teach missionaries about diligence. Show how diligence in focusing on people is an expression of love.

During interviews or in conversations, ask missionaries to talk about an attribute they are trying to develop.

In a zone conference or in mission leadership council, invite missionaries to tell about Christlike attributes they admire in their companions.

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6: How Do I Develop Christlike Attributes?

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6 At the beginning of His mortal ministry, Jesus Christ walked along the shore of the sea of Galilee and called out to two fishermen, Peter and Andrew. "Follow me," He said, "and I will make you fishers of men" ( Matthew 4:19; see also Mark 1:17).

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Write your thoughts, feelings and testimony of Jesus Christ below.