In earlier times and cultures, the advent of the new year was a religious observance. Though New Year's Day is widely regarded today as a secular occasion, Latter-day Saints have good reason to attach religious significance to it, given its attendant tradition of setting resolutions for self-improvement.

The doctrine of repentance is integral to the doctrine and culture of Mormonism. As with other members of the human family, the beginning of a calendar year gives us a sense of renewal and motivation, though we resolve to better ourselves whenever circumstances necessitate it, not just on one particular day of the year.

Jesus, in fact, gave us a lofty goal when He commanded, "What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am" (3 Nephi 27:27).

In contemplating that grand aim, we might consider the words of Luke, who informed us that "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man" (Luke 2:52). This brief sentence encapsulates four general aspects of human attainment. Let us consider each in turn:

Wisdom. In the scriptures, we are admonished to seek "out of the best books words of wisdom" (Doctrine and Covenants 109:7), to become acquainted with a wide array of topics (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:78-80) and to pursue "anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy" (Articles of Faith 1:13).

But wisdom entails more than just the accumulation of facts and information. It could be defined as the beneficial synthesis and application of knowledge, experience and understanding. As we develop wisdom, we increase our capacity to bless others and to serve God.

Stature. This term could be applied in a number of contexts, but for the purpose of self-improvement, we could think of it as pertaining to health, strength, physical well-being; to the capacity to sustain strenuous and demanding labor.

We are taught to regard our physical bodies as temples of God (see, for example, 1 Corinthians 3:16 and Doctrine and Covenants 93:35) and that the spirit and the body together "are the soul of man" (Doctrine and Covenants 88:15). We hope that through our faithfulness, one day our bodies will be glorified and perfected as a condition of celestial exaltation. Meanwhile, our duty is to do what we can to optimize our health and lengthen our life-span. As a package of articles in this week's Church News bears out, physical well-being directly impacts our capacity for service to others and to God.

Favor with man. The most wholesome and Christlike way to to increase in favor with others is summed up in a single word: service. It is often said that we love those whom we serve. Conversely, those we serve come to love us.

A scene in the new motion picture being shown in the Legacy Theater of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, "Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration," depicts a woman coming to the Prophet and saying, "Mr. Smith, I don't like your religion, but I do thank you for your kindness," whereupon he responds, "Madam, you might say that is our religion." Service to others — even those who may not like our religion — is indeed the essence of our religion.

As Jesus "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38), we in the course of the new year might take up a new hobby: collecting service opportunities and experiences as some people collect stamps or antiques.

Favor with God. The idea that one can increase in favor with God might seem to contradict scriptural passages that teach that God is "no respecter of persons" (see, for example, Acts 10:34) and that He "esteemeth all flesh in one" (1 Nephi 17:35). However, this latter verse clarifies the concept by teaching, "He that is righteous is favored of God." Elsewhere, we read that God "loveth those who will have him to be their God (1 Nephi 17:40). In several instances, the scriptures denote that an individual is favored of God (see, for example, Proverbs 12:2 and Luke 1:30).

In explaining the concept of God being no respecter of persons, President Joseph Fielding Smith taught, "The proper interpretation of this passage is that the Lord is not partial and grants to each man, if he will repent, the same privileges and opportunities of salvation and exaltation. He is just to every man, both the righteous and the wicked . . . but let it not be thought that He will grant the same blessings to those will not obey Him and keep His law" (Church History and Modern Revelation 1:255).

It follows, then, that we can increase in favor with God by striving more perfectly to obey His commandments and by pursuing greater diligence in fulfilling our callings in the Church.

May that be our aim in 2006 as we seek to emulate the Master and come closer to the example He set.