When you perceive and live the words of eternal life,5 you become better than you were before.6 This is the definition of holy: different and better. By obtaining7 and assimilating8 God’s word, you are made holy, or sanctified.9
Receiving the words of eternal life means learning what he is actually like and living like him, not just memorizing scripture or living certain rules. As we live according to our sincere idea of how God would in our place,10 he will regularly teach us more about himself.11
As you receive more of the words of eternal life, you will become more like God in the same way the Son became more like the Father:1379 Incrementally, as you learn more about what Jesus is like and continue to live as your increasing understanding indicates he would in your place.1380
Jesus was more like the Father than anyone else before this world was created, and he came to the earth to demonstrate how the Father would be in his place.1381 He showed the world what the Father is like.1382 You are called to become more like Jesus than you were before so that anyone who gets to know you will get to know Jesus more than they did before.1383 Jesus was everything the Father would be if the Father were in his place, and this is exactly what you are called to be—to follow the example of Jesus Christ in your own situation, thinking, feeling, and doing what he would in your place.1384
Jesus was the embodiment of God’s word. You must be, too. While the injunction to be like Jesus is dismissed by many as impossible or too difficult, Jesus showed it was possible1385 through his own example in life,1386 and argued that it was easier than any alternative when the true costs are considered.
Footnotes
- 1. For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true. (Alma 29:8) ↩
- 2. And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. (Alma 12:9) ↩
- 3. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2) ↩
- 4. Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls. (Alma 37:6-7) ↩
- 5. ...that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory; (Moses 6:59) ↩
- 6. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Psalm 119:130) ↩
- 7. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (John 15:3) ↩
- 8. Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God. (Helaman 3:35) ↩
- 9. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17) ↩
- 10. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. (John 18:37) ↩
- 11. Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. (D&C 121:45) ↩