The Unfinished Journey: Becoming the Men and Women of Christ

Brothers and sisters, have you ever stopped to truly ponder the nature of our journey? It’s not just about the next assignment, or the next conference talk. It’s about the *trek*—the arduous, lifelong journey toward becoming the men and women of Christ.

When I was first called to serve, I thought that "making progress" meant getting my callings filled or my mission quota met. I was focused on the visible milestones. But hearing talks like Neal A. Maxwell’s, I realized I was looking at the map, but not the destination itself. The destination isn't a building; it's a character.

Maxwell reminds us that our journey is embodied in an invitation from the resurrected Lord: “Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27). That phrase—"even as I am"—should resonate in every heart of every disciple. It’s the standard, the benchmark, the ultimate goal for all of us, whether we are in the MTC, serving in a stake center, or simply trying to keep the commandments while juggling a full-time job.

The Authority of Example

It’s easy to get caught up in the "things of the world"—the career ladder, the perfect social media presence, the accumulation of worldly knowledge. But Maxwell warns that if we get distracted from serving Jesus, the world will draw us instead. And the world’s distractions don't have to be sinister to be consuming.

What *are* the things that matter? Maxwell points us back to King Benjamin, reminding us that the attributes required to become a Saint are not optional. They are eternal and portable! These aren't skills that expire when the next software update hits; they are virtues that carry us through the veil.

“And becometh a saint . . . submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him.”

These qualities—meekness, patience, love unfeigned—these are the hallmarks of discipleship. They are the "authority of example." When we cultivate these, we aren't just preparing for the Resurrection; we are preparing to lead by the Spirit in our daily lives, whether we are teaching a Sunday School class or helping a neighbor feel the warmth of the gospel.

This concept of being "complete" or "fully developed" is so powerful. It moves us beyond simply *knowing* the doctrines and into *being* the doctrines. It’s what we are working on right now, every single day, in our discipleship.

Your Role as an Internet Missionary

As rogue disciples, our field isn't limited by zip codes or physical boundaries. Our field is everywhere—in the quiet moments of a study group, in the thoughtful comments of a social scripture study, and in the earnest conversation we have with a friend who is questioning things.

This talk is a profound reminder that our best missionary preparation isn't just about memorizing questions; it’s about cultivating the *inner* Christlike qualities. It’s about being humble enough to learn, patient enough to wait, and loving enough to serve, no matter how difficult the circumstances.

If you’re feeling the weight of this journey, remember you are not alone. We are all on this arduous trek together. Let’s commit this week to identifying one attribute—maybe patience, maybe gentleness—and actively practicing it, not for a feeling of accomplishment, but because it builds our eternal selves.

If you want to dive deeper into how these principles apply to modern life, I highly recommend checking out the latest readings on the Iron Rod in LivingBook. And if you need a sounding board for those tough questions that come up when you’re studying, don't forget to engage with Davee in the AI Investigator role. He’s ready to walk you through those challenging angles!

For those of us who love digging into the scriptures together, our next Book Club session is going to be focused on the Book of Mormon covenants. Details are posted in HolyPlaces!