What is character?
It is the sum of the soul. It is the qualities and attributes that make up one's personality, who they truly are. It is character that determines destiny, NOT appearances, prestige, popularity, or circumstance.
How is character reveled within each of us? Martin Luther King taught, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
In Lectures on Faith, Joseph Smith described that one of the three things "necessary in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in [the Father and Son] unto life and salvation is a correct idea of [Their] character, perfections, and attributes:" (page 33)
How do we gain a correct idea of the character of Christ? We observe and study His life and His teachings... but there's more to learning than just studying, it must also be by faith. - D&C 109:7
"Faith is a principle of action... Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and is more than belief, since true faith always moves its possessor to some kind of physical and mental action."
-Bible Dictionary
There's an old saying that you never truly understand a person until you've walked a mile in their shoes. In order to understand the character of Christ, we must "walk a mile" in His shoes, we must try to be like Him in whatever circumstances. Learning to walk in the footsteps of the Savior doesn't happen overnight. The Lord is patient with us just as a father is patient with his children when they attempt to take their first steps. Every time they stumble, he encourages them to keep trying and his heart is overjoyed with every success. It requires constant effort and God is proud of all who are sincerely and genuinely doing their best.
Learning the character of Christ requires acting out what we learn. And in order to "act" out what we have learned from our great Teacher, we must be given circumstances that test us and try us. Because of this knowledge, I am grateful for the challenges that confront me. Challenges are opportunities for me to exercise my agency, to practice in faith/action what I have learned by study.
Learning the CharACTer of Christ comes from acting as He would act, from practicing over and over what He would do.
I am genuinely grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who is incredibly patient with me. He doesn't scorn me when I stumble but sees it as a "good fall" because he sees my heart, He sees I'm trying. The faith He places in me stirs within my soul a greater love and admiration for His character, I have a greater desire to become as He is. So I'll keep learning, keep practicing, keep trying, and through His amazing grace, I won't just walk, I'll run!
"Live your life to be a good example of what you believe—in word and deed. How we live our religion is far more important than what we may say about our religion.
Our Savior’s Second Coming is drawing nearer. Let us not delay in this great cause. Remember Captain Moroni, who hoisted the title of liberty inscribed with the words “In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.” Let us remember the people’s response: exercising their agency, they “came running together” with a covenant to act.
My beloved brothers and sisters, don’t walk! Run! Run to receive the blessings of agency by following the Holy Ghost and exercising the freedoms God has given us to do His will."
- Elder Robert D. Hales
(Also see - The transforming Power of Faith and Character by, Richard G. Scott)
(Also see - The transforming Power of Faith and Character by, Richard G. Scott)
-Alicia
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