Savior Himself has set the standard
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PROVO, UTAH
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf focused on the Christlike attributes taught in Chapter 6 of the official missionary guide Preach My Gospel as he addressed the June 25 morning session of the 2010 Seminar for New Mission Presidents at the Missionary Training Center.
"By accepting your sacred callings, you are indeed showing 'the pure love of Christ' you have for all of God's children wherever they live, whatever culture they come from, whatever language they might speak," said President Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, alluding to Moroni 7:47.
"The Savior Himself sets the standard and gives the priorities for the ministry of His disciples — back then and now," he said. "To follow the Savior is to learn of Him and His marvelous character. You and your missionaries are truly His representatives. By striving to become more Christlike, your missionaries will discover their true identity."
Acknowledging that attaining Christlike attributes is not easy, President Uchtdorf said, "Prayer or preaching alone will not do the job. Practicing what we preach, or walking the walk, is required. You are the trusted leaders of your missionaries. They will look to you and follow you. Lead them; go with them to find and teach. As you lead by example and follow the Savior's plan, the missionaries will do the same."
Called to teach repentance, missionaries need to apply the principle in their own lives, which will allow them to have the powers of heaven, President Uchtdorf said.
"The Christlike attribute of humility is very important for the missionaries," he said. "Humility is willingness to submit to the will of the Lord and to give the Lord the honor for what is accomplished."
He enjoined the new leaders to help their missionaries to be teachable, accept direction and correction and to pray for Christlike attributes, demonstrating willingness to improve.
"Help your missionaries identify for themselves, individually, which Christlike attributes they specifically need to develop in order to grow, gradually but steadily, into more powerful servants of Jesus Christ."
President Uchtdorf said that the fruits of the mission presidents' service will be seen not only in conversions but also in lives of families and individuals, in the strength of the Church where they serve "and, most important, in the lives of your precious missionaries."
"Therefore," he said, "occasionally ask yourself the question: Are the missionaries being prepared to be righteous fathers and mothers in Zion and to fulfill future leadership callings in the Church? It is obvious that the answer to this question has a lot to do with how your missionaries develop Christlike attributes."
President Uchtdorf said that developing such attributes can be a painful process. "Please don't hesitate to give direction," he said. "You are a light that shows them the way if they wander into darkness, and you are the watchman on the tower. Perceived tolerance for inappropriate behavior has led some missionaries astray where an early, clear signal would have avoided much pain and sorrow."
He said virtue is a Christlike attribute that originates in one's innermost thoughts and desires.
"Virtuous missionaries replace unworthy thoughts, that can lead to inappropriate actions, with righteous and uplifting thoughts," he said.
"Virtuous missionaries obey God's commandments, follow the mission rules and the counsel of their mission president," he added. "They pray for strength to resist temptation and they follow the promptings of the Spirit. They quickly repent of any sins or wrongdoings."
President Uchtdorf identified two Christlike attributes "that will lead you and your missionaries safely through unknown territories and carry you across deep and fearsome canyons. They are faith and hope."
He said faith in Jesus Christ leads to action, including repentance, obedience and dedicated service.
"Faith will refine and enhance the principle of work," he said, quoting the words one of his missionary grandsons wrote in an e-mail: "To bear fruit, my missionary service has to be hard work motivated by deep love for God and His children, not just hard labor without such a love."
President Uchtdorf said faith is like the muscles of the arm: "If we exercise them, they grow strong."
He said hope is directly connected to faith in Jesus Christ. "Hope is the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to us. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance. It is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered."
