Becoming a True Disciple of Christ

We conclude that the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.  
~ Dallin H. Oaks, The Challenge to Become, Conference October 2000

“It is essential that we reject anything that does not conform to our standards, refusing in the process to surrender that which we desire most: eternal life in the kingdom of God… We, however, will be far better equipped to deal with them, to learn from them, and to overcome them if we have the gospel at our core and the love of the Savior in our hearts.”

~ Thomas S. Monson, Stand in Holy Places, October 2011 Conference    

    

The call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior has promised that He will make us equal to His work. … As we follow Him, He blesses us with gifts, talents, and the strength to do His will, allowing us to go beyond our comfort zones and do things we’ve never before thought possible.”

~Robert D. Hales, Being a More Christian Christian, Conference October 2012

The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.” Sadly, much of modern Christianity does not acknowledge that God makes any real demands on those who believe in Him, seeing Him rather as a butler “who meets their needs when summoned” or a therapist whose role is to help people “feel good about themselves.” It is a religious outlook that “makes no pretense at changing lives.

~ D. Todd Christofferson, “As Many As I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten” General Conference October 2012

Some young people inform me that in our current culture it is not “cool” to try too hard in many areas, including living strictly in accordance with righteous principles. Please do not fall into this trap.

~ Quinton L. Cook, Can You Feel So Now? Conference October 2012

There are many others who, for different reasons, find themselves waiting on the road to Damascus. They delay becoming fully engaged as disciples. They hope to receive the priesthood but hesitate to live worthy of that privilege. They desire to enter the temple but delay the final act of faith to qualify. They remain waiting for the Christ to be given to them like a magnificent Carl Bloch painting—to remove once and for all their doubts and fears. The truth is, those who diligently seek to learn of Christ eventually will come to know Him. They will personally receive a divine portrait of the Master, although it most often comes in the form of a puzzle—one piece at a time.

~ Dieter F. Utchdorf, Waiting On The Road to Damascus, Conference April 2011

There is no greater calling, no greater challenge, and no greater source of joy—both proximate joy and ultimate joy—than that which is found in the process of discipleship. This process brings its own joys and reassurances. We must not, however, expect the world to understand or to value our discipleship; they will not. In a way, they may admire us from afar, but they will be puzzled about the priorities resulting from our devotion.

~ Neal A. Maxwell, Becoming A Disciple, Ensign June 1996

Conversion must mean more than just being a card carrying' member of the church with a tithing receipt.. (or) a temple recommend... (One who is converted) strive(s) continually to improve inward weaknesses and not merely the outward appearances.

~ Harold B. Lee, Church News, 25 May 1974, 2

More Importantly, we should be concerned with the spiritual dimension of our people and the enlargement of this dimension. There is a tendency in all of us to ask for better statistical performance. There is a tendency to impose quotas behind which usually lies imposition of pressure to achieve improved statistics. In the work of the Lord there is a more appropriate motivation than pressure. There is the motivation that comes of true conversion.

~ Gordon B. Hinckley, Regional Representatives’ seminar, 6 Apr. 1984

The call is to come back, to stay true, to love God, and to lend a hand. To all within the sound of my voice, the voice of Christ comes ringing down through the halls of time, asking each one of us while there is time, “Do you love me?” And for every one of us, I answer with my honor and my soul, “Yea, Lord, we do love thee.” And having set our “hand to the plough,” we will never look back until this work is finished and love of God and neighbor rules the world.

~ Jeffery R. Holland, The First Great Commandment, Conference October 2012

My Own Thoughts and Testimony; 

Each member of the church goes through a process of which they receive a spiritual conformation in their hearts and the beginning seed planted in their hearts that they believe or wish to believe that the gospel is true. They feel the spirit speak to their hearts confirming that it is true. However, it is not enough to just know that these things are true, we must become. We are required to be true to the faith and believe that we must  have both clean hands as well as a pure heart. I have come to know that acting and knowing go hand in hand either upward or downward. If we do not act on our beliefs our testimonies of the gospel soon diminish. If we have courage to act and experiment on the word then we see the resulting blessing of our actions and our faith will increase, leading to further action and growth.