When you perceive and live the words of eternal life,1 you become better than you were before.2 This is the definition of holy: different and better. By obtaining3 and assimilating4 God’s word, you are made holy, or sanctified.5
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,6 he will regularly teach us more about himself.7
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:8 Incrementally, as you learn more about what Jesus is like and continue to live as your increasing understanding indicates he would in your place.9
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.10 He showed the world what the Father is like.11 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.12 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.13
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 possible14 through his own example in life,15 and argued that it was easier than any alternative when the true costs are considered.
Footnotes
- 1. ...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) ↩
- 2. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Psalm 119:130) ↩
- 3. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (John 15:3) ↩
- 4. 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) ↩
- 5. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17) ↩
- 6. 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) ↩
- 7. 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) ↩
- 8. The Spirit of truth is of God. I am the Spirit of truth, and John bore record of me, saying: He received a fulness of truth, yea, even of all truth; And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments. He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things. (D&C 93:26-28) ↩
- 9. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. (John 1:16) ↩
- 10. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. (John 5:19) ↩
- 11. ...he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.... (John 14:9) ↩
- 12. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) ↩
- 13. Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me. (3 Nephi 19:28) ↩
- 14. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. (Mark 10:26-27) ↩
- 15. And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them. And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father? (2 Nephi 31:9-10) ↩