Life can sometimes feel like an endless cycle of responsibilities—waking up, working, handling obligations, sleeping, and starting all over again. In the midst of this fast-paced rhythm, it’s easy to lose our sense of purpose and shift from truly living to merely surviving each day.

But here’s the good news: Jesus Christ offers a life filled with joy, peace, and hope. We are not meant to simply endure each day—we’re meant to experience an abundant and fulfilling life.

Jesus Christ Invites You to a Full Life

The Savior Himself gave us this powerful promise:

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”. (John 10:10)

This isn’t an invitation to a perfect, challenge-free life, but to a life with purpose—one where every day holds deeper meaning as we walk with Him.

Living with Purpose and Hope

When we center our lives on Jesus Christ, difficulties don’t just disappear, but we gain the strength to face them with hope. The Book of Mormon also teaches us that God’s plan is for us to “have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25).

This joy isn’t superficial, nor it’s dependent on circumstances. It is a lasting joy that comes from knowing we are children of a loving Heavenly Father and that, through Jesus Christ, we can find peace even in the midst of life’s storms.

How Can You Move from Surviving to Truly Living?

Here are three ways Jesus Christ can help you find a more fulfilling and joyful life:

1. Find Peace Through Prayer

When you feel overwhelmed, remember that you are never alone. Jesus Christ understands every burden you carry. He invites us:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Talk to Him in prayer. You don’t need perfect words—just an open heart willing to seek His peace.

2. Embrace the Power of Forgiveness

Sometimes, what holds us back from living fully is the weight of the past. Jesus Christ not only forgives us but also heals the wounds caused by others. In Mosiah 26:30, the Lord declares:

“Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.”

When we choose to forgive and accept His forgiveness, we find freedom that allows us to move forward with lightness and joy.

3. Follow the Covenant Path

By making covenants with God, such as baptism, we not only receive His guidance but also the constant gift of the Holy Ghost, who strengthens and comforts us. As Isaiah 41:10 says:

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee.”

Walking with Christ does not mean a life without trials, but it does mean a life filled with purpose, power, and peace.

An Invitation to Truly Live

If you feel like you’re just surviving instead of truly living, Jesus Christ extends a loving invitation: Come unto me. In Him, you can find true happiness and the strength to face each day with renewed hope.

Today is a great time to ask yourself: Am I truly living? If you’re searching for a more fulfilling life, start by drawing closer to Jesus Christ. He is waiting with open arms to offer you a life filled with joy, peace, and purpose.

You are not meant to simply survive. In Christ, you can find the strength to live fully.

If you’d like to learn how to experience the blessings that Jesus offers, send us a message or leave a comment. We’d love to help you on your journey!

The post Are You Living or Just Surviving? How Jesus Christ Can Help You Live a Joyful Life appeared first on morefaith.ph.

Repentance is a powerful balm we can access when we need to turn away from sin and come back to the light. 

Heavenly Father, in His profound love, offers repentance as a path to relief and renewal. Through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, we can acknowledge our mistakes and be freed from their burden. This act of grace allows us to embrace forgiveness and find peace, guiding us back to divine love and happiness.

“But, repentance is hard. I want to feel God’s love again, but how can I do that when I have sinned so much, and I’m terrified I can’t be forgiven anymore?” 

Have you ever felt this way about repentance? 

Even though repentance is a beautiful gift from a loving Heavenly Father, the thought of going through the repentance process can be challenging and overwhelming for some. 

Apart from the commitment and the effort we need to put into asking God for forgiveness, we also have to deal with the fears that come with repentance. 

How do we overcome these fears? And how do we find the strength to continue even if repentance is hard? 

The Road to Repentance is Hard Because It Requires Effort

Repentance is like going back up after slipping downhill during a hike. 

The slip brings you down fast, but the hike back up – where you get to see stunning views and the majestic skies – requires double the effort. 

Just like sliding down the hill, falling into sin is easy. 

Getting back up through repentance takes great courage, strength, humility, tears, and perseverance.  

Because true repentance will cause us a “mighty change of heart,” it will ask us to make mighty efforts. Repentance will change us, but before we experience this change, we must work. 

Repentance is Hard Because Satan Works to Make It Harder

Our Heavenly Father absolutely understands that repentance is not easy, but He also knows that forgiveness for our sins is possible. 

Satan, however, wants to flip the truth. 

Another reason why repentance is hard is because Satan – the great adversary – wants us to believe it is so much more complicated. 

He whispers lies telling us “Why do you need to repent? You’ve sinned so much.” 

“You’re a lost case.” 

“You aren’t even a good person.” 

Satan wants us to doubt the Lord’s capacity to hear us, forgive us, and see us for who we are beyond the mistakes we have committed. 

And he is committed to doing that because he “for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” 

Without repentance, we fall into misery. 

And one of the most potent ways that Satan stops us from really repenting is by instilling fear in our minds. These fears are – in reality – built on lies. 

8 Fears That Makes Repentance Hard

Fear #1: God Won’t Listen to Me Anymore

Finding hope for forgiveness becomes difficult when we feel that Heavenly Father has turned His back on us because of our mistakes. 

Unintentionally, we begin to see Him as this boss we need to please rather than a loving Father in Heaven who has been waiting for us to come back to Him. 

Just like the Father in the Story of the Prodigal Son, Heavenly Father is eagerly waiting, and looking forward to our return! All we need to do is take the first step. 

Fear #2: God Sees My Sin, So I Don’t Think He’ll Find Hope in Me

When discussing second chances, it’s best to remember the story of Saul, who later became Paul. As a stalwart persecutor of Christ’s believers, Saul had done seemingly unforgivable things. 

But the Lord sees differently. When talking to Ananias in a vision, He reminded the man that Saul – despite His mistakes – was still a chosen vessel to Him. 

He saw beyond Saul’s mistakes. He can see beyond ours. 

Fear #3: Repentance is Hard Because God Has Ran Out of Patience for Me

God’s forgiveness is infinite. But He does expect us to forsake our sins. Some of us can do it immediately, while others might take a while to reach their goal. 

The blessing of repentance is that it’s available for those who choose to repent, even through small, simple steps. 

God knows that in our journey toward becoming better, there will still be moments when we will fall short. The principle of repentance is a constant reminder that no failure ever needs to be final because the chance to start again is always there. 

Fear #4: I’ve Traveled So Far From God’s Light

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, worded this comforting process beautifully: 

“But however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.” 

Satan works twice as hard to make us believe that we have become so bad, so unworthy, and so undeserving of God’s forgiveness. However, if we only listen again to our Father in Heaven, we will know that even before we step back into the light, God already has His hands outstretched.

Fear #5: I’m Going to Do It Again

The fear of repeating sins can be daunting. Yet, remember, repentance is a journey, not a one-time act. God’s mercy is boundless; He welcomes our sincere efforts to change, no matter how often we falter. His grace empowers us, turning our fears into stepping stones for growth. Embrace this continuous path with hope, knowing that each step towards repentance is a step closer to divine love and transformation.

Fear #6: People Will Know and They Will Talk

One common fear is the worry about others discovering our transgressions and the subsequent judgment that may follow. 

This fear can be paralyzing, causing us to shy away from seeking forgiveness. 

However, it’s essential to remember that repentance is a personal journey between you and God. 

The opinions of others, while they may seem daunting, hold no power over God’s infinite mercy and love.

Fear #7: I’m Scared of Facing My Mistakes

Confronting our past actions can be incredibly painful. 

The guilt and shame associated with acknowledging our wrongdoings often deter us from repentance. 

Yet, facing our mistakes is a crucial step towards healing and growth. It’s about understanding the impact of our actions and developing a genuine desire to change. 

Remember, this fear is a sign of your conscience at work, indicating that you can choose better and, therefore, the potential for real, profound change.

Fear #8: Fear of the Next Steps

The uncertainty of what lies ahead can make the journey of repentance seem overwhelming. 

Questions like “What if I can’t change?” or “What if I fail again?” may cloud your mind. 

But the beauty of repentance lies in the process itself – it’s a step-by-step journey, not a sudden leap to perfection. 

Embrace each step with faith, knowing that with the Atonement, you are never alone. Each effort, no matter how small, is significant in the eyes of God.

3 Ways to Find Strength to Repent When You Have a Hard Time Repenting

#1: Trust in the Knowledge That God Wants You to Repent

Why did God send Noah, Moses, and even Jesus Christ to the world? One of their biggest callings was to call people to repentance. 

Because in truth, no matter how dark our choices have been, God wants us to repent, to change, to come back to Him and feel the happiness of choosing Him once again. 

#2: Know That The Atonement Makes Repentance Absolutely Possible

One of the most beautiful verses in the Bible can be found in Isaiah 1:18. It talks about the promise that even though our “sins be as scarlet, it shall be as white as snow.” 

How is this even possible? It is all because of the Atonement. 

Christ died for us, so we can always, always go back to our Heavenly Father. His Atonement makes repentance a gift, not a punishment. 

#3: Ask for Guidance from Heavenly Father

Humbly ask for help from our Heavenly Father. He will lead you to the right people, give you the strength to face your mistakes and persevere no matter how hard repentance gets, and help you feel His love as you go through repentance. 

Receiving help from the heavens can sustain us when people talk, when the steps become difficult, and when we stumble along the way. 

You Can Repent No Matter How Hard It Is

Contrary to the lies of Satan, repentance is the better choice. Although it is hard, it is – ultimately – the only sure way to happiness in this life and in the life to come. 

If you have questions about repentance, we’re here to help. You can talk to us by sending us a message on our social media channels or by contacting us here.

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A Filipino Take on the Metaphor

When we were younger, our grandmother enjoyed telling us stories about her youth. One of the stories we can still clearly remember was one that involved eagles, hens, and chicks. During her time, large birds often fly mightily in the sky looking for a helpless prey. It was easy to know when a predator is nearby – mother hen will suddenly be on full alert, quickly gathering her chicks under her wings.

To our grandmother, the story of the hen and her chicks was a powerful example of a mother’s love. Recalling this story, it made much more sense why the Savior used the “hen metaphor” to express His love and patience for us.

Christ Warns Us of Danger

Like the mother hen, Christ knows of the danger that lurks nearby. In the New Testament, He often gave warnings to His disciples and His apostles. The same protection is given to us in these modern days. Today, these warnings can received from Prophets and Apostles ordained with proper authority to receive revelations from the Lord to help the people prepare for challenges, calamities, and spiritual dangers.

Christ Gathers Us To Save Us From the Predator

In these modern days, the power and the influence of the adversary has become more and more evident. Predators – events and people – that can lead one entangled to sin are everywhere, and they can sometimes be subtle. Through the Lord’s invitation to obey His commandments, we can be “gathered” into safety. Through the Lord’s atonement, we can run away from danger, repent, and find safety and peace in Christ.

We Can Find Peace and Safety in Christ

Together with His “hen metaphor,” comes a plea from the Savior. In 3 Nephi, Jesus Christ implored:

6 O ye house of Israel whom I have aspared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and breturn unto me with full purpose of cheart.

One message is clear: we are always worthy of the Lord’s peace and safety but we must make the necessary steps to enjoy them. Our desire and actions towards full repentance allow us to partake of the protection and blessings of being “under the wings” of the Lord.

The Savior’s choice to choose to compare Himself to a hen bravely gathering her chicks to safety is an expression of His desire for us – safety from evil, peace, happiness. May that image of love and protection always remind us of the immeasurable love the Lord has for us.

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He respects women, regardless of their nationality and religious beliefs

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ was publicly criticized for mingling with those whom society considered “low class.” He called fishermen as his apostles, ate with publicans, and interacted with the sinners. He treated all those He met with respect, including women. Jesus’ encounter with a Samaritan woman in John 4 proved that He really was no respecter of persons.

On one occasion, Jesus passed through Samaria on His way to Galilee. Feeling fatigued because of His long journey, He sat by Jacob’s well where He met a woman of Samaria who came “to draw water.” Jesus struck up a conversation with her and even asked her for a drink. This seemingly casual conversation caught the woman by surprise. For in those days, “the Jews ha[d] no dealings with the Samaritans (John 4:9)” because the Jews considered the Samaritans “more unclean than a Gentile of any other nationality.”¹

Imagine what the woman may have felt when Jesus initiated a conversation with her and deemed her worthy enough to talk to. At first, she must have felt apprehension that soon enough turned into awe and finally to joy when Jesus introduced Himself to her as the Christ.

By talking with the Samaritan woman, Jesus Christ defied the norms of His time. When the disciples came back from getting meat and found Jesus talking with the woman, John wrote that they “marvelled.” However, Jesus Christ really didn’t care much about what His disciples thought – much less what the world thought of His actions. He cared more about the woman and what she was feeling and what He could do to help her. Jesus Christ did not look at the woman in terms of the world’s standard, based on her gender, nationality, or religious background. He saw her as a daughter of Heavenly Father and as His own sister. This shows that Jesus Christ has great respect for women, especially for His mother Mary.

He takes care of women

Jesus Christ’s relationship with His mother, Mary, also shows how He takes care of women. On two occasions, He was concerned for Mary’s welfare and acted to help her.

The first instance happened at a wedding feast recorded in John 2 where Mary was one of the people in charge. At some point, the supply of wine ran out, leaving the guests unsatisfied. So, she sought the help of her son, Jesus Christ, and the Savior performed His first public miracle – He turned water into wine. This miraculous wine impressed the governor of the feast so much that he asked the bridegroom why they had “kept the good wine until now (John 2:10).”

The second instance was when Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross at Calvary. Even though He was suffering, He still thought of His mother who He would be leaving behind. Seeing His disciple John standing beside her, He told His mother, “Woman, behold thy son (John 19:26).” Then to John, He said, “Behold thy mother (John 19:27).” Because of Jesus’ words, from then on, John took care of Mary. What a display of love and respect in the highest form! Even the excruciating task of atoning for our sins did not prevent Jesus from being concerned for the welfare of His beloved mother. His concern was not limited only to His own mother but also extended to other mothers as well, such as the widow of Nain.

He comforts women

The widow of Nain was facing emotional and financial ruin when Jesus Christ went out of His way to help her. During Jesus’ time, women were uneducated and all their rights to property were connected to the men in their lives – their father, husband, or sons.

In the case of the widow of Nain, because her husband had already died, she was completely dependent on her son for her means of living. However, with her son also gone, all of her possessions would be under the jurisdiction of her nearest male relative. Because the widow of Nain was in this dangerous situation, possibly of life and death, it is no wonder that Jesus Christ immediately stepped in to help.

According to Brigham Young University (BYU) Associate Professor Keith J. Wilson, the travel from Capernaum to Nain was a long, difficult uphill climb that “would have taken at least one or two days.” The reason being Capernaum’s location which is 600 feet (183 m) below sea level and Nain’s location which is  700 feet (213 m) above sea level and 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Capernaum. This long journey implies a certain amount of sacrifice by Jesus Christ and His disciples, including rising very early in the morning and traveling through the night until it wasn’t possible to walk anymore. However, Jesus arrived in Nain just in time to intercept the burial procession and raise the widow’s son from death. He was able to comfort the mother and give her hope that all was well, and that God had not forgotten her.

He forgives women

Another great example of Jesus Christ’s high regard for women occurred when the Pharisees and the Sadducees brought to Him a woman whom they said was “caught in the very act [of adultery] (John 8:4).” In an attempt to provoke the Romans, challenge His authority and His knowledge of the Law of Moses, they asked Him whether the woman should be stoned to death or not. He neither reply with a yes or a no but simply said: “He that is without a sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her (John 8:7).” Convicted by their conscience, everyone left Jesus and the woman alone. When Jesus Christ lifted Himself up and saw no one, He asked the woman the whereabouts of her accusers. The woman answered and said that they were now gone. Then Jesus said some of His most famous words of reassurance and counsel to the woman, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more (John 8:11).”

Out of all the people there that day, Jesus Christ had a perfect knowledge of the woman’s sin, but He chose not to condemn her. Instead, He forgave her. To show his sincerity, Jesus Christ even stooped down to the woman’s level on the ground. His act of forgiveness included lifting the woman up from where she was at that time and helping her toward the right path – the one free from sin and filled with happiness.

During His lifetime, Jesus Christ showed by His words and deeds just how much He revered women – He respects, He cares, He comforts, and forgives them, just as much as He does for men. Now, as our Resurrected Lord I feel that He is doing the same for all women out there. I testify that He understands perfectly the pressure, discrimination, and persecution we experienced due to our gender. He extends to us His arms to lift us up and guide us home to our Father in Heaven where we will be the happiest. I hope and pray that we will grab His arms and hold on tight, never letting go. For truly, He is the Champion of women.

¹James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 172.

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Why is Jesus’ name important?

The announcement of Jesus’ birth was anything but ordinary (Matthew 1:18). An angel named Gabriel appeared to Mary to inform her that she would bear the Only Begotten Son of the Father. Despite being a virgin, she conceived a child through the Holy Spirit. This unborn child would play a significant role for all humankind, the angel promised. But, the prophecy did not stop there. The angel told Mary to name the child as Jesus (Matthew 1:21).

Have you ever wondered why, of all the things he could have told Mary, the angel focused on the child’s name? The angel could have told her seemingly more important details, such as what food the child should eat, what clothes to wear, what education and training the child should receive to prepare him for his future role.  However, he chose to dwell on the name of the child – as if knowing the name was enough, as if everything depended on it.

Angel Gabriel did not insist on naming the child Jesus out of personal preference. It was a directive from Heavenly Father (Doctrine and Covenants 18:23). This name would eventually become a significant part of the Savior’s being and would be known as the only name whereby salvation can come (Mosiah 3:17). There is no doubt that the name chosen by Heavenly Father and used by the Savior, Jesus, contains power in the most real sense.

What is the meaning of Jesus’ name?

Did you know, though, that the name Jesus is not unique to the Savior’s time? A number of people have had the same name. Said to be the Greek form of Joshua or Jeshu, the name means “Savior” or “God is help.” It was a beautiful name with a beautiful meaning, a name most fitting for the prophesied Savior of the world.

The Savior is not only known by His birth name, Jesus. He has various titles of which the most popular is Christ, meaning “the anointed” or “Messiah.” The title Christ is almost always put after the name Jesus, making the Savior known to many as Jesus Christ. This is a perfect combination of a name and a title describing accurately the role of the Savior.

When is it appropriate to use Jesus’ name?

The respect and reverence we have for our brother, Jesus Christ, should extend to His name. We should use the Savior’s name in appropriate places and situations only. We must refrain from using it in vain (Exodus 20:7). Here are some examples where we can use the name of Jesus Christ correctly:

• Saying a Prayer

End your prayers in the name of Jesus Christ. He is our mediator with the Father. If we use His name, He will deliver our messages to the Father.

• Performing Sacred Ordinances

In order for all sacred ordinances to be valid, Jesus’ name should be used by one holding the proper authority. These sacred ordinances include, but are not limited to, baptism, marriage, and blessing of the sacrament.

• Sharing the Gospel

Full-time missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are set apart and given the authority to preach the gospel in Jesus’ name for a certain period of time. However, the power to use Jesus’ name in sharing the gospel is not only limited to missionaries. You can also share the gospel in Jesus’ name through your inspiring words and testimonies.

The use of Jesus Christ’s name is not prohibited. You can use it as often as you need to. But, you should exercise correct judgment when doing so. The use of Jesus Christ’s name should bring you closer to Him. It should give you access to His power. Do not use it out of habit so that it loses its sacredness. You should also encourage others to give respect to Jesus’ name. Where and when appropriate, you can also counsel the people around you about the misuse of the Savior’s name.

How to Access the Power of Jesus through His Name?

Just as knowing that a smartphone exists will not be of any help to you if you don’t know how to use it, you will also not be able to access the power of Jesus Christ just by knowing His name. Knowing Jesus’ name and saying it here and there is different from having access to the power of His name. There are certain requirements that you need in order for Jesus’ name to have an effect on your life. Here are some of them:

• You need to call upon His name sincerely

Your desire and intention matter when speaking the name of the Savior. You will also receive your desired answer depending on your faith.

• You need to have Christ-like qualities

First, you need to be humble enough to recognize and accept Jesus Christ in your life. Then you need to use His name “by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned, by kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile (Doctrine and Covenants 121:41-42).” You don’t have to be perfect but you must be trying to follow Jesus Christ through your words and actions.

• You should be willing to take upon you the name of Jesus Christ

Having full access to Jesus Christ’s power means being willing to take His name. This means that you must make Jesus Christ a significant part – or better, the focus of your life. You should honor His name and keep its good reputation by acting according to the commandments of God. Taking the name of Jesus Christ means living as the Savior did.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not making a fuss out of a small thing by emphasizing the appropriate use of Jesus Christ’ name in its organization. The Church is going back to the basics, to its core and foundation – Jesus Christ. Without Jesus Christ’s name, the church loses its meaning. Therefore, it is necessary to make changes, such as updating the name of the website, applications, and social media accounts to show that its focus is on Jesus Christ.

You can gain so much from doing the same thing in your life. Make the necessary changes even if it means getting rid of an established habit, perhaps distancing yourself from family members or friends who do not share the same beliefs and drag you down spiritually, and being born again in the name of Jesus Christ through baptism. As you focus on Jesus Christ and willingly and sincerely take upon you His name, you will feel the influence of His infinite power in your life.

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What is the atonement? It is the Lord’s sacrifice that changes everything for us. It started in the Garden of Gethsemane where the Savior bled from every pore, not only because of the weight of our sins, but also our burdens, sorrows, and all our infirmities. It ended upon the cross at Calvary where He died the most painful and cruel death at the hands of His own people. There has been no greater suffering than His. He paid the price for our souls so that, if we will, we can repent, be cleansed, and return to the Lord’s presence.

Jesus Christ was the only one who could perform such a sacrifice. Because He was sinless, He was not subject to spiritual death and because He is the Only Begotten Son of an immortal God, He had power over physical death. With His unique birthright, Jesus Christ’s Atonement brought to pass two gifts—the gift of immortality, which will be received by all, and the gift of eternal life, which can be accessed only through the condition of repentance.

Because He died, all of us will live again. Our bodies and spirits, which now can be separated by death, will one day be reunited again, to “die no more,” and we will become immortal beings. All who have ever lived on Earth will one day be resurrected—“both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous.” Every person you have ever loved and lost to death—grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses, children, friends—all will be able to be resurrected, and you will see them again. The Savior’s atonement takes away the sting of death, because it is no longer permanent.

The Savior’s Atonement also enables all those who believe in Him to be saved from sin and receive eternal life. It is important to note that Jesus Christ’s death does not automatically free us from our sins. In order for us to receive the gift of eternal life, we need to believe in Him and the healing power of the Atonement, repent of our sins, be baptized in His name, receive the Holy Ghost, follow His commandments, perform essential ordinances, and make covenants with the Lord.

With the Atonement centered on saving us from sin, one might think that it is only about healing us from sin. But the power of the Atonement has no bounds. It can heal us from all the pains that we will ever experience, comfort us in our sorrows, succor us in every suffering, and give us hope and peace during troubled times. It also gives us the strength to forgive those who have wronged us and show compassion to those in need. Because the virtue behind the Atonement is charity, which is the pure love of Christ, the power of the Atonement also increases our capacity to love like Christ.

Because of the Atonement, we can be assured that we never have to walk this life alone, that the Savior knows the depths of our sorrows and will send help to lift burdens off our shoulders, and that He knows whatever we are going through—good and bad.

The power of the Atonement is available to all those who reach out for the hand of the Savior with faith. When we do so, we will find that His hands are already stretched, reaching out to us with love.

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You see, there is a difference between knowing about Christ and truly knowing Christ. Sure, it’s nice to know new facts about the Savior, but it’s another thing to truly know Him. Being a mother caught up in daily tasks and multiple roles, I sometimes miss some important steps that would help me know the Savior better. “Scripture study is never the same,” I often said to myself. I felt as though I had already lost touch with the feeling of really knowing Christ. So, I prayed, and asked the Lord to help me better know Christ. I expected my answer to include reading the scriptures more, always listening to General Conference talks, and singing hymns. But instead I got an unexpectedly short but powerful impression: “SERVE.”

Don’t get me wrong, I know that service is an essential part of being like the Savior, but I also wanted to know Christ better. How could service help me do that? Still unsure, I trusted the answer, put it to the test, and gained so much insight and wisdom through numerous service opportunities. Indeed, service helped me know more about the Savior. Here are some examples.

He is a Loving Listener

Edlyn was once a member of my young women class. I had not heard from her in years, and when I finally got an update about her, I learned that she already had two children. Unfortunately, Edlyn often shared her heartbreak over her failed relationship, and hardships in raising her children. When I reached out to her, I asked her how she was keeping it all together. Her answer touched me. “You see, every time I pour my heart out in prayer, I just know Someone listens to me. I don’t know why but I feel so much comfort after.”

He Sees Our Potential

Maybe some wives are always the epitome of kindness, but I’m not always that wife. There are times when, because of my desire to see him improve, I can get stingy with my husband. I asked the Lord to help me be kinder, especially when encouraging my husband during tough times. My mind then reflected on the Savior’s Atonement, and how He bore our infirmities. He also bore the tough times my husband and I are facing and I’m sure He saw my husband’s capacity to rise in the face of hardships. That knowledge helped me to be a little kinder to my eternal companion.

He Understands What Others Can’t

I love Sister Linda K. Burton’s invitation to “first observe, then serve.” Indeed, when we observe someone, we begin to understand what they’re going through, making it easier for us to identify ways to serve. However, there are moments when you simply don’t know what to say because you do not understand. I felt that way when we visited a mother who had just lost her youngest daughter. While talking with her, there came a realization that although I could not understand what she was going through, the Lord could. This can also be seen in the many moments when we simply get the impression to serve someone, despite them not saying a word. He understands our needs and He sends the very help that we need.

He Loves Me

One of the biggest things I have learned through service is that He loves me. In those moments when I saw prayers answered, hearts comforted, and hurts healed, I was reminded of the infinite love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. A love that extends not only to those whom I serve but to me as well.

Service: A Great Way To Know Christ Better

My experience has taught me that the invitation to serve is an invitation to know Christ better. I have always loved the promise given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “As we extend our hands and hearts towards others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger.” In my case, I was able to learn more about the Redeemer. May we learn more about Jesus Christ in every service opportunity we have this year.

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The scriptures are filled with stories of the ministering efforts of the Savior. Each story shows a certain Christlike attribute that we can also strive to develop as we start our own ministering efforts. Here are four examples of Christ’s ministering and the Christlike attributes that the Savior exhibited.

Jesus Christ and Lazarus

When Jesus knew of Lazarus’ death, he went to comfort his friend’s bereaved family. In John 11, we can read of Christ’s example of “mourning with those that mourn.” Instead of telling a grief-stricken Martha to stop crying because He was sure her brother would rise up anyway, He encouraged her to have faith. And — recorded as one of the shortest yet most powerful verses in the New Testament — “Jesus wept.”

We do not fully know what the rest of Lazarus’ family felt when they saw Jesus weeping but imagine how comforting that must have been for them. Someone understood their grief, someone understood their sorrow. Christ did not mock their pain just because He knew Lazarus would rise from the dead. He wept with them. He mourned with them.

As we go on with our ministering efforts, let us learn to listen to those who need to talk, and mourn with those who are experiencing grief. Knowing the Plan of Salvation shouldn’t make us overlook the reality of grief and sorrow — just listen, ask for the Holy Ghost’s guidance, and let it guide you as you comfort those you serve.

Jesus Christ and the Five Thousand

When the Savior saw that a multitude of people was following Him, He had great compassion towards them. Throughout that day, Jesus took the time to heal the congregation from their sicknesses. As it began to get late, his disciples wondered what to do and how to feed the large crowd. Jesus — perhaps seeing how hungry the people were — proceeded to feed the five thousand. During that day, the Lord was not only aware of their need to be healed physically and spiritually– He also saw their need to eat.

Ministering is more than sharing a spiritual message to our brothers and sisters. Ministering is a program that should exhibit a “heartfelt care for one another.” Following Christ’s example, when we minister, we must look beyond the need to deliver a spiritual message and begin to identify what our friends truly need. By recognizing what they need the most, we will be able to serve them better.

Jesus Christ and Jairus

Jesus’ three-year ministry was filled with service, but despite that, He still took the time to respond quickly to anyone who needed help. When a grieving father asked Him to come see his daughter, Jesus immediately went with him and eventually healed his daughter.

Sometimes, life gets in the way of our ministering efforts. At times, we may feel that we no longer have the time to minister to the people assigned to us. However, when we give time to minister, no matter how hectic our schedules are, we can bring joy, peace, and comfort to those we are serving.

Jesus Christ and the People of Bountiful

When Jesus visited the people in America, he let everyone — one by one — see and feel the marks of the nails in His palms and feet. When He healed those who were sick and afflicted, He did so one by one. “One by one” — a powerful phrase that shows how mindful the Lord is of the needs of each and every one of us.

The people who are assigned to us are more than just names on a paper — they are individuals with stories, and with needs. As we minister, let us also truly know them — one by one. As we continue to get to know them better, our love for them will inevitably increase.

Ministering Like Christ: Not Easy but Possible

Ministering like Christ is not easy but through the help of the Lord, it is very much possible. We do not need to feel clueless as to what we need to do — we have our Savior’s example to guide us as we serve. May we always draw inspiration from Jesus Christ as we go about ministering.

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Before Peter lived a life of devoted discipleship, he had an encounter with the Savior that changed his life, which Elder Holland considers to be the crucial turning point in Peter’s apostolic ministry. Here are two principles I learned from Elder Holland that taught me what it truly means to love God.

Love for God is Loyalty to Him

After the resurrected Savior left Jerusalem, Peter, together with other apostles, decided to go fishing. The scripture reads “Simon Peter saith unto them, I go fishing. They say unto him, we also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately.” Then Jesus Christ once more showed himself to them and tested Peter’s loyalty by asking him “Lovest thou me?” three times.

Elder Holland taught that when Judgement Day comes, God will ask us the same question Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” And though we might answer yes, Elder Holland said that our love for God will always be measured by our loyalty, because it is the “crowning characteristic of love.”

This made me ponder how loyal I am to God. I knew that because of the natural man within me, my loyalty sometimes tends to shift toward things that make me happier temporarily. There were times when I felt like the prodigal son who left his father to spend his inheritance elsewhere, or even like Peter who went back to fishing after the Savior’s resurrection.

I was more susceptible to these feelings after my mission because I was afraid that serving God would become second priority due to other temporal goals. But knowing that I can choose to be happy and loyal to Him, the One to whom I owe everything, I accepted callings that I knew would bless the lives of others. By doing so, my love and loyalty to God increased. This taught me that loving God and staying loyal to Him are not consequences of receiving blessings but a choice I can make.

Love of God is discipleship.

In this same talk, Elder Holland taught, “…we have neighbors to bless, children to protect, the poor to lift up, and the truth to defend. We have wrongs to make right, truths to share, and good to do. In short, we have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord.” And we do this through the service we render to others.

For some, like myself, a life of devoted discipleship seems like an enormous task to take on. But if we truly love God, we can do all things for Christ who will strengthen us. As the saying goes, “love is the most powerful force,” and our love for God will be the force that turns us into disciples.

Listening to Elder Holland speak, I learned that Peter did not immediately became a great apostle. He went back to fishing immediately after the Savior left. But because he was reminded to love God, he went back to his duties with full purpose of heart. He led the apostles, preached the gospel, and greatly influenced the world in which we now live. The Savior could have done anything to encourage the apostles to do their duties, but He knew that reminding them to love God is the key.

It is the same for us, and it is truly the same for me. My love for God motivated me to become a better disciple. My progress was not at all immediate for I fell short repeatedly during my mission. Nevertheless, I served God willfully, making small and consistent steps, steps I knew I could surely make. Through those steps, my love for Him grew steadily and it allowed me to serve others in greater ways than before. And I believe this is the true essence of discipleship: serving God by serving other people.

Our call to become a loyal disciple.

Elder Holland concluded by testifying, “The call is to come back, to stay true, to love God, and to lend a hand.” There is a great weakness in all of us: the weakness of forgetting the miracles and blessings we have been given. Because of this universal weakness, God has provided prophets and apostles so that we can return to loving God and be reminded of our call to discipleship. May we love Him by showing loyalty and keeping His commandments so we can all stand before God on judgement day and honestly reply, “Yea, Lord, we do love thee.”

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Love God with all thy heart. Loving God with all our hearts means having righteous desires. Why? Because our desires directly impact our choices and our moral agency. The desire of our hearts is the driving force behind our actions and choices. Loving God with all our hearts means desiring to submit our wills to God, change our ways, repent of our sins, strive to overcome our weaknesses, and “let the affections of [our] heart[s] be placed upon the Lord forever.” All our desires, be it temporal or spiritual, should be rooted in our love of God.

Love God with all thy soul. The Lord invites us to “come unto him, and offer [our] whole souls as an offering unto him.” Offering our whole souls to Him means following His commandments willingly and joyfully, without the grudging thought that we are only following Him because of the blessings that we will receive or because we are compelled to follow.

Love God with all thy mind. When we love God with all our minds, we strive to remember Him each day, not only because we made a promise to remember Him always when we were baptized, but because we want to be reminded of God’s perfect love for us no matter the circumstance. We also take the time to study the scriptures, attend Sunday school, seminary, and institute classes, and listen to prophets and apostles. Focusing and filling our minds with His words and the words of His servants will help us know Him better and understand His goodness and love for us.

Love God with all thy strength. Loving God with all our strength means losing ourselves in the service of our fellowmen, because by doing so, we are in the service of our God. It involves sacrificing our personal time, using our talents, exerting our efforts, and giving of our substance to those whose hands need a little lifting. It also means caring for and strengthening our bodies to be capable of serving.

Love thy neighbor as thyself. Loving our neighbor cannot be separated from loving God, for in the scriptures the Lord Himself said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” This is the second great commandment. It is important to note that obeying this commandment is not simply about loving others. It is about loving others as we love ourselves. It means looking after the welfare of others, bearing one another’s burden, uplifting those whose shoulders hang down with sorrow, recognizing that none of our fellow travelers on this earth are perfect, and cultivating an attitude of kindness and generosity one towards another. The question, “Would I do the same to myself?” will help us consistently check if we are truly loving our neighbors.

As we obey the first great commandment, our loyalty to Heavenly Father will not waiver even at the darkest stage of our lives. And when the time comes that He asks, “Do you love me?”, we will be able to answer without a second thought, “Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.”

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