The Insightful Life of a Fish

My companion, Elder Castillo

The average life span of an insect-eating wild trout is 4 to 6 years.

But! when a trout recognizes that he can eat [or in other words feast] on larger things such as other fish or mice their average life span almost doubles. In life we have so many different really good things to "eat" but we can't let those things take our focus from feasting on the big things and the best things, the words of Christ and making changes to become more and become a better disciple. Because becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ and enduring to the end is what will save us spiritually and make our life span eternal.

So, what does it mean

to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

I'm trying to be like Jesus; I’m following in his ways.

I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.

At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,

But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,

“Love one another as Jesus loves you. Try to show kindness in all that you do.

Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, For these are the things Jesus taught.”

I'm not sure if there is a simpler or more pure way to describe what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Once when Elder Holland was asked about the leadership characteristics the Savior portrayed he said, “We think of Christ as the personification of love."

(Leading as the Savior Would Lead, Nov. 9, 2011)

link to I'm trying to be like Jesus video

Christ has perfect love, He has perfect Charity

So with that being said, to be a deciple of Jesus Christ we must obtain charity

"...And whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him." (Moroni 7:47)

As I was pondering charity and becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ during my preparation to write this message I thought of a question. If obtaining charity is so important to becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ, why then do I need to work on obtaining any other attribute besides charity? The answer I think is: in order to have perfect charity obtaining each of the other Christlike attributes is completely necessary.

"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." Moroni 7:45

Rejoiceth in truth - knowledge

In the definition of charity that Moroni gives there you can find each of the Christlike attributes listed in Preach my Gospel.

Charity: Suffereth long - patience hope, and diligence Is kind - love Envieth not - humility and virtue Is not puffed up - humility Seeketh not her own - humility Is not easily provoked - patience Thinketh no evil - virtue Rejoiceth not in iniquity - obedience and virtue

I have a testimony that because of a loving God,

and because of a Savior who loves me and His infinite atonement, I can say with confidence and with joy that it is ok to "try" to be like Jesus.

We don't have to be perfect at being like Jesus yet,

but we can be perfect at trying, trying to be better each day.

Perfection comes over a lifetime or longer, of trying.

Beareth all things - patience and diligence Believeth all things - faith in Jesus Christ Hopeth all things - hope Endureth all things - patience, hope, and diligence

I have a testimony that at least part of what it means to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ, is trying to be like Jesus, following in his ways, trying to love as He did in all that we do and say, and to seek after and develop His divine attributes.