The Character of Christ

Prepare for the Lord’s coming by becoming holy and blameless

President Christofferson begins with Peter’s warning that some in the latter days will doubt the Second Coming. He teaches that the Lord’s seeming delay is an expression of mercy, giving people time to repent. Because the day of the Lord will surely come, disciples should ask what manner of persons they ought to be and prepare now to be found in peace, without spot, and blameless. This preparation includes lives of holiness and becoming like Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Peter reminds us that in the latter days, there will be doubters who question the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Peter reminds us that the “Lord is not slack” and that if there is any seeming delay in His return, it is because of His long-suffering mercy in giving us more time to repent before “the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

“But the day of the Lord will come,” Peter forcefully declares.

Since we know that the Lord will come and establish a new earth where righteousness prevails, Peter asks, “What manner of persons ought ye to be?”

He counsels that we should be preparing diligently now so that when the Lord comes, He will find us “in peace, without spot, and blameless,” leading lives of holiness.

• Why does Peter say some people doubt the Second Coming?
• How does the speaker explain the Lord’s seeming delay in returning?
• What does Peter teach disciples should do in light of the Lord’s coming?
• What does it mean to be found “in peace, without spot, and blameless”?
• How does my daily life show that I believe the Lord will come again?
• What changes would help me prepare more diligently to meet the Savior?
• In what areas do I need to repent so I can live more “without spot” before God?
• What habits help me live a life of holiness in a world of doubt and distraction?

Develop Christlike character by seeking a changed heart

The talk teaches that Christlike character is not merely a list of admirable traits. Those traits grow out of the thoughts, desires, and intents of the heart. To become the kind of people we ought to be, we must receive a mighty change of heart so that our inner motivations become more like the Savior’s. Taking His name upon us includes becoming like Him in heart as well as in conduct.

As I have pondered Peter’s question, “What manner of persons ought ye to be?” I have decided to speak today about the character of Jesus Christ.

It is in emulating the character of Christ that we become the “manner of persons” we ought to be.

Acquiring the character of Christ is one of the most important ways we take His name upon us.

When we consider the character of the Savior, we tend to focus immediately on His attributes, such as virtue, integrity, humility, compassion, and courage, but we should also consider, What is it in Jesus that gives rise to such character traits?

I believe they are the natural fruit of the thoughts, desires, and intents of His heart.

Christlike character grows out of a Christlike heart.

Thus, if we are to succeed in developing a Christlike character, we must possess His motivations—His thoughts, desires, and intents of the heart.

For us, it will require what the scriptures call a mighty change of heart.

• What does President Christofferson say gives rise to Christlike character traits?
• How is Christlike character different from simply displaying good behavior?
• Why is a mighty change of heart necessary to become like Christ?
• How is taking the Savior’s name upon us connected to acquiring His character?
• What do my thoughts, desires, and intentions reveal about my heart?
• Which Christlike traits do I most want to develop, and what heart-level changes would support them?
• When have I felt the Lord changing my heart rather than just my outward behavior?
• How can I more consciously take the Savior’s name upon me by becoming like Him?

Receive spiritual rebirth through faith, repentance, covenants, and grace

Using King Benjamin’s people as an example, President Christofferson explains that a mighty change of heart may come suddenly for some and gradually for most. In every case, the process requires faith in Christ, repentance, baptismal covenant obedience, and the grace of Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost. This change is not accomplished by human effort alone; it comes through the Savior’s enabling power and the transforming influence of the Spirit.

Following King Benjamin’s inspired, prophetic discourse, his people testified, “The Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent … has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.”

King Benjamin responded, “Ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name.”

In the case of King Benjamin’s people, and some others, this spiritual rebirth with a changed heart was almost instantaneous.

For most of us, our mighty change of heart occurs incrementally over time.

In either case, the outcome is the same and equally valid.

And in all cases, it requires faith in Christ, repentance, a baptismal covenant of obedience, and the grace of Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost.

Yes, it requires a consistent and sustained effort on our part, but remember, it is not simply a matter of our striving.

The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we, each of us, can call on the grace of Jesus Christ to help us.

Through the Holy Spirit, we receive His influence and spiritual gifts, “the power of godliness” in our lives.

This transformative power produces a mighty change of heart and the character qualities that accompany it.

• What happened in the hearts of King Benjamin’s people?
• How can a mighty change of heart come differently for different people?
• What elements does the speaker say are required in this process of change?
• Why is becoming Christlike not simply a matter of self-improvement?
• What role does the Holy Ghost play in spiritual transformation?
• How have I seen the Lord change me gradually over time?
• What does my repentance currently look like, and how could it become more sincere and consistent?
• How am I relying on the grace of Jesus Christ instead of only on my own effort?
• What can I do to more fully enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost?
• What evidence do I see that the Lord is producing “the power of godliness” in my life?

Let pure love shape your character

The first Christlike motivation President Christofferson identifies is charity, the pure love of Christ. This love moved the Savior to offer Himself as Redeemer and is perfectly expressed in His Atonement. Pure love produces compassion, patience, inspired correction, and forgiveness. The speaker illustrates this principle through the example shared by Elder David A. Bednar of a grieving mother who immediately turned outward to care for others, showing that Christlike character is revealed in selfless love even amid personal suffering.

Foremost among the motives that form Christ’s character is charity, “the pure love of Christ.”

It was pure love that, before the Creation, led Him to offer Himself as our Redeemer.

His Atonement was and is the supreme act of love.

As He Himself said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

The love of Christ yields character traits such as compassion, patience, a willingness to correct “when moved upon by the Holy Ghost,” and certainly a willingness to forgive.

There was no self-pity; … there was no turning inward.

The Christlike character of this devoted woman was manifested in her immediate and almost instinctive turning outward to attend to the needs of other suffering mothers.

Character is revealed … in the power to discern the suffering of other people when we ourselves are suffering.

I think of Jesus in agony and near death on the cross remembering his mother, Mary, and placing her in the care of His beloved Apostle John.

• Why does President Christofferson call charity the foremost motive in Christ’s character?
• How does the Atonement demonstrate the pure love of Christ?
• What character traits grow out of Christlike love?
• What does Elder Bednar’s story teach about how Christlike love behaves in times of suffering?
• How did Jesus show outward-focused love even on the cross?
• How do I usually respond when I am hurting—do I turn inward or outward?
• Who in my life needs greater compassion, patience, or forgiveness from me?
• When have I felt the pure love of Christ helping me care for others?
• How can I better discern the suffering of others even when I have my own burdens?
• What would it look like for charity to become a stronger motive in my daily choices?

Lift others through humble and selfless ministering

A second motivation in the Savior’s heart is His desire to foster the happiness and advancement of others. His mission, in harmony with the Father, is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of God’s children. Because He came to minister, His character reflects humility, meekness, selflessness, and courage. President Christofferson points to the example of missionaries and quotes President Dallin H. Oaks to show that looking to the needs of others helps us become humble and Christlike.

A second motivation that underlies the Savior’s character is His passion to foster the happiness and advancement of others.

After all, His entire object, in harmony with the Father, is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of God’s children.

“Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: …

“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Character qualities that grow out of devotion to the well-being and success of others include humility, meekness, selflessness, and courage.

“Look to the needs of others, and humility follows.”

Jesus taught, “Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.”

The meek are models of self-control, using or withholding their considerable powers and gifts as is best in every situation.

What better example do we have than missionaries, the tens of thousands of our missionaries who devote months and years of their lives exclusively to serving others (often strangers) and offering, in the name of Christ, His matchless gifts of repentance and forgiveness?

• What does the speaker identify as the Savior’s second major motivation?
• How is ministering connected to true greatness?
• What character traits grow from devotion to the well-being of others?
• How does looking to the needs of others help produce humility?
• What does the talk teach about meekness?
• Whose happiness or progress can I intentionally support this week?
• How can I become more focused on ministering than on being noticed or served?
• In what situations do I need greater meekness and self-control?
• What can I learn from missionaries about selfless service?
• How have I felt joy when helping someone progress spiritually or temporally?

Honor God by choosing virtue and integrity

The third Christlike motivation is the Savior’s desire to glorify the Father and do His will in every detail. This devotion produces honor, integrity, and virtue. Jesus is the perfect example of integrity because He was tempted in all points yet remained without sin. President Christofferson teaches that disciples can strive for a life of moral excellence with the Lord’s help, pursuing virtue in thought, word, and action and remaining faithful to God and others.

A third motivating force essential to the character of Christ is His desire to glorify the Father and to fulfill the Father’s will in every particular.

He declared, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”

A Christlike desire to glorify God and do His will leads to the character qualities of honor, integrity, and virtue.

Jesus, the paradigm of integrity, “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

We can strive toward this ideal.

Elder Kim B. Clark once called it pursuing a “life of moral excellence” with the Lord’s help.

“Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It is fidelity to God and others. … [It] is striving to be clean and pure spiritually and physically.”

It entails a search for and devotion to truth, to right thinking and right action.

• What is the third major motivation in Christ’s character identified in the talk?
• How does devotion to the Father’s will shape a person’s character?
• What does the talk teach about integrity?
• How is virtue defined in this message?
• What does it mean to pursue a life of moral excellence with the Lord’s help?
• How can I better align my desires with the will of the Father?
• Are there areas of my life where my integrity needs to become more complete?
• What changes in my thoughts, words, or actions would help me live more virtuously?
• How do I respond when I am tempted—what would it look like to seek the Lord’s help more quickly?
• What does moral excellence look like in my current responsibilities and relationships?

Become the people God needs by relying on the Holy Spirit

President Christofferson summarizes the Savior’s motivations as pure love, blessing and lifting others, and delighting to do God’s will. He invites listeners to pray in faith for the Holy Spirit to instill these same divine motivations in their hearts. Through ongoing repentance and faith in Christ, disciples can become the people God needs them to be. This process is practical, spiritual, and ongoing.

In summary, Jesus thinks and acts out of pure love; He yearns to bless and lift others; and He delights to do the will of God.

With faith in Christ, we can pray that the Holy Spirit will effect a mighty change in us to instill these same divine motivations in our heart and help us practice the attributes of a Christlike character.

We can keep repenting to improve as we strive to follow the Lord’s example, “which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart.”

We can “become the people God needs us to be.”

Our thoughts, words, and actions need to be unfailingly virtuous and filled with the pure love of Jesus Christ towards all men.

The great opportunity before us is to become the people God needs us to be.

• What three motivations summarize the Savior’s character in this talk?
• What does President Christofferson invite us to pray for?
• How do faith and repentance continue to shape our character?
• What does it mean to become the people God needs us to be?
• Which of the Savior’s three motivations do I most need to develop right now?
• How can I invite the Holy Spirit more intentionally into my efforts to change?
• What is one specific act of repentance the Lord may be asking of me today?
• What would becoming “the people God needs us to be” look like in my family, calling, or community?
• How can I measure spiritual growth by changes in my heart rather than only by outward performance?

Prepare the world for Christ by influencing one person at a time

Near the end of the talk, President Christofferson teaches that adopting the character of Christ is not only personal preparation for the Second Coming but also a way to prepare the world for the Savior’s millennial reign. He emphasizes that the Lord changes society one person at a time. Individual Christlike choices accumulate over time to shape families, communities, and nations. Every disciple can influence the world by becoming more like Christ.

I return to the matter of Jesus Christ’s Second Coming.

Adopting the character of Christ is not only a question of our personal preparation but a primary element of preparing the world for the Lord’s return and His glorious millennial reign.

We tend to underestimate the influence of Christlike individuals in the world, but working one by one has always been Jesus’s approach to changing society and establishing His kingdom.

It is the aggregation of individual choices over time that forms and changes societies for good or ill.

No one of us alone can change the world, but each of us can have an influence in the world.

• How is developing Christlike character connected to preparing the world for the Second Coming?
• What does the speaker teach about how Jesus changes society?
• Why do individual choices matter in the larger condition of the world?
• What hope does this teaching offer to individual disciples?
• Do I underestimate the influence of my own discipleship? Why or why not?
• Who is one person I can bless through more Christlike character this week?
• What individual choices am I making that help shape my home and community for good?
• How can I contribute to preparing the world for the Savior’s return in simple, consistent ways?

Look to the living Christ and seek to be like Him

The talk closes with a testimony of the resurrected and living Jesus Christ, the head of His Church. President Christofferson also testifies of prophetic leadership in the Church. He prays that through faith in Christ, our character will mirror His so that when He appears, we may be like Him and be purified as He is pure. The conclusion ties discipleship, testimony, purity, and hope together in the context of the Savior’s return.

On this joyful Easter Sunday, I bear testimony of the resurrected, living Jesus Christ.

He is the head of this, His Church.

President Dallin H. Oaks is called by Him to preside over the Church on the earth and to be the Lord’s prophetic spokesman to the world.

With faith in Christ, may our character come to mirror His so that “when he shall appear we shall be like him … ; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure.”

• What testimony does President Christofferson bear about Jesus Christ?
• How does the talk connect faith in Christ with becoming like Him?
• What does the scripture in the closing promise about those who hope in Christ?
• Why is purity an important part of preparing to meet the Savior?
• How has my testimony of the living Christ influenced my desire to become like Him?
• What does it mean to me personally that Jesus Christ is the head of His Church?
• How can hope in the Savior’s return motivate me toward greater purity?
• What would it look like for my character to more fully mirror Christ in the coming month?