Topic: Life (Meaning, Eternal Life: Salvation from Spiritual and Physical Death; Immortal Life: Salvation from Physical Death)

Job 14:14 > Job 19:26 > Isaiah 25:8 > Isaiah 26:19 > Moses 5:59 > Matthew 28:6 > Mark 16:6 > Luke 24:5-6 > John 20:16 > The Acts 2:22-24 > The Acts 4:33 > Matthew 27:52-53 > 3 Nephi 23:9-13 > 1 Corinthians 15:22 > John 11:25-26 > John 8:51 > Romans 6:16, 23 > Hebrews 11:35 > Alma 11:41 > John 5:29 > Psalms 16:11 > Matthew 25:33 > Doctrine and Covenants 14:7 > Ezekiel 3:17-21 > Proverbs 21:21 > Matthew 10:39 > Matthew 7:13-14 > Matthew 19:17 > John 5:24-29 > John 6:27-40, 47-51 > John 10:10 > 1 Timothy 4:8-10 > James 1:12 > John 14:15 > 2 Peter 1:3-8 > 1 John 3:14-24 > 1 John 5:11-20 > 1 Nephi 11:25 > 2 Nephi 25:27 > Alma 5:34-35 > 3 Nephi 9:18 > Doctrine and Covenants 88:22-24

The great message of scripture is the resurrection of Jesus Christ and thus the availability of salvation to all mankind. This great message of the gospel of Jesus Christ assures us that all mankind will be resurrected; we will be saved from physical death.  Job asked about this during his period of great trial. In the book of Job chapter 14 verse 14, it is recorded of him asking, “If a man die, shall he live again?” I am sure that Job is not the only man to ask such a question. Then in chapter 19 verse 26 he answers his own question stating, “Yet in my flesh shall I see God.” Job had a testimony of the resurrection long before the advent of the Son of God. From this we know that the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was prophesied of, foretold and known about long before His birth. We read in the book of Isaiah chapter 25 verse 8 that, “He shall swallow up death in victory”, and again in chapter 26 verse 19, “Thy dead men shall live…and the earth shall cast out the dead.” All these verses are great testimonies that the doctrine of the resurrection was preached, taught and known by prophets and taught to all who would listen. In Moses chapter 5 verse 59, we see that the doctrine of the resurrection was taught to Adam and Eve after their transgression in the Garden of Eden so that they too would have hope of life after death.

With all the prophecy of Christ and His resurrection, was He resurrected? Yes! Let us examine some scripture, which testifies of the resurrection of Jesus. Matthew chapter 28 verse 6, “He is not here: for He is risen.” Mark chapter 16 verse 6, “He is risen.” Luke chapter 24 verses 5 and 6, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.” Then in John chapter 20 verse 16, “Jesus saith unto her, Mary.” The Apostles taught of Christ’s resurrection; one example of this is in Acts chapter 2 verses 22 through 24, where Peter says, “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death.” In Acts chapter 4 verse 33 we learn that the Apostles were given a witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and it was given to them in great power. As the prophets testified, so it has come to pass; Christ was resurrected, He lives!

Is there any evidence that the dead have actually been resurrected? Yes! The scriptures in Matthew chapter 27 verses 52 and 53, testify that at Jesus’ resurrection, “Many of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” In 3 Nephi chapter 23 verses 9 through 13 we read that the same thing happened in the ancient Americas. We learn that with Christ’s resurrection came the resurrection of many Saints. The resurrection is real! It began with the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. All mankind will be saved from physical death. The Apostle, Paul, in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 22 testifies to this fact, we will all be made alive through Jesus Christ.

A fair question to ask at this point would be, “To what type of life or to what quality of life will we be resurrected to?” In the book of John chapter 11 verses 25 and 26, we begin to learn an answer to this question, for the answer is important. Jesus teaches, “I am the resurrection, and the life.” You will notice here in this statement that there are two conditions mentioned, resurrection and life. Is there a difference? Yes, and the understanding of the difference is this Scripture Train’s objective.

You will obviously say at this point, "What is the difference? Resurrection means that we will live again, we will have life"! Yes, that is true, however, why did not Christ simply say, "I am the resurrection", and be done with it, why say, "and the life"? Is there anything else that Jesus saved us from besides physical death? Continuing on with John chapter 11 verse 25, Jesus says that those who believe in Him shall live. In verse 26 He states that those who believe in Him will never die. It is a fact that we will all suffer physical death at some time. If Jesus meant that we would never die physically then there would certainly be a lot of people still living who lived at the time of Christ and beyond. So, we know that He must have meant something other than physical death; if we examine John chapter 8 verse 51, we see that Christ taught that all those who obey Him shall never see death. He is certainly not speaking of a physical death; in Romans chapter 6 verse 16 and 23, Paul teaches that the results of sin is death; certainly not physical death, or else if we were to sin we would die, physically. So what kind of death is he speaking of? A spiritual death! Mortality will ultimately bring physical death to each of us. Sin will bring spiritual death to each of us. Obedience to God will bring spiritual life, or Eternal Life. So it appears that in the resurrection we will be resurrected to different rewards: Spiritual life, or spiritual death. This is born out in Hebrews chapter 11 verse 35 where Paul teaches that many worked to obtain a better resurrection. True it is that the resurrection of our bodies comes by the grace of God through His Son, Jesus Christ, but what comes after that not only depends on the grace of God, but also our own personal righteousness. In Alma chapter 11 verse 41, we are taught this very doctrine, all will be raised from death, but after the resurrection will come judgment and we will be judged according to our works, which works distinguishes between those who are righteous and those who are not. Christ taught this very doctrine as recorded in John chapter 5 verse 29 saying, “They that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. In other words, some will be resurrected unto spiritual life or which we call Eternal Life and some to spiritual death, which is damnation. This is what Jesus taught in John chapter 11 verses 25 and 26. He is not only the resurrection, but the life also. He who believes in Him will never die.

The scriptures teach throughout the Bible, the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants the difference between immortality and eternal life. In the Psalms chapter 16 verse 11, we learn that those gathered on His right hand will experience a fullness of joy, which pleasure can only be obtained in the presence of God. So, Eternal Life brings a fullness of joy! This reminds us of the teaching of Jesus in Matthew chapter 25 verse 33, when He states that His sheep will be gathered on His right hand and the goats on His left. This means that those who are the saved, or those who will have eternal life, will be gathered on His right hand where there will be a fullness of joy, which pleasure will last forever. So, Eternal Life is a pleasure, which will last forever, life with God. Those on His left hand will have immortality, but not eternal life. Doctrine and Covenants section 14 verse 7 teaches that the greatest of all the gifts of God is eternal life, but that it only comes to those who keep His commandments until the end of their lives. Ezekiel, while warning us how important it is to warn our neighbor, both the wicked and the righteous, teaches us an important lesson. Reading from chapter 3 verses 17 through 21 we learn that if the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity that he will die in his sins and all his righteous works will be forgotten. Thus, he did not endure to the end of his life keeping the commandments of God according to the commandment; thus, he will die spiritually, he will lose eternal life.

In the scripture truth is established. The truth that we have established here is that our resurrection, or immortality, comes only through Jesus Christ and Eternal Life also comes through Jesus Christ, but to those who meet the requirements established by God. We will now examine those scriptural proofs that testify to this fact.

First, let’s examine Proverbs chapter 21 verse 21; here we read the prophet's declaration that life comes only to those who follow after righteousness. We know that this must mean Eternal Life, for immortality comes to all God's children through Christ's resurrection. Second, Matthew chapter 10 verse 39; life, Eternal Life, comes to those who lose their life in the service of their God and fellowman. Third, Matthew chapter 7 verses 13 and 14; life comes only to those who enter the strait gate, which is baptism and the reception of the Holy Ghost and then continue on the narrow way. We notice here the very forthright statement: "And few there be that find it"! Fourth, Matthew chapter 19 verse 17; only those who keep the commandments will enter into Eternal Life. Fifth, John chapter 5 verses 24 through 29; Those who hear and believe God and Jesus Christ will have everlasting life. Note, that often, everlasting life and Eternal Life are used interchangeably. Also note the important verbs: Hear and Believe. Those who hear and believe will pass from death unto life. This must mean spiritual death unto spiritual life! For all will be resurrected from temporal death to immortality. These verses also teach that only those who have done good during their lives will be resurrected unto life.  Sixth, John chapter 6 verse 27 through 40 and 47 through 51; in all we do during our life we are taught to work the works of God, which will endure unto everlasting life. We are taught that Jesus is the Bread of Life and all who believe in Him and do the works of God will have life. Jesus did the work that God gave Him to do; what work has God given you and I to do? If we do the works of God, those works which He gave us to do, then we will never die, but have Eternal Life. Seventh, John chapter 10 verse 10; the life that comes through Jesus Christ, will be more abundant than mere immortal life. Eighth, 1 Timothy chapter 4 verses 8 through 10; Godliness, or being God-like, or Christ-like bears with it the promise of life; especially, he says, to those who believe in Christ. Here we see there is something more for the believers. Ninth, James chapter 1 verse 12; the crown of life will come only to those who love Him. This reminds us of the scripture in John chapter 14 verse 15 that says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Tenth, 2 Peter chapter 1 verses 3 through 8; through the divine power of Christ we have received everything we need pertaining to life and godliness; He has called us to glory. Are not all these promises precious? Even more precious and great than simple immortality. It is the pursuit of godliness that makes us fruitful in this life. Eleventh, 1 John chapter 3 verses 14 through 24; loving one another is a step toward this precious life. This love that we show each other is the example that we learned from Christ. We saw the great love He has for each of us and as we learn to return that love by loving our fellowmen, then we pass from death unto life. Twelfth, 1 John chapter 5 verses 11 through 20; Eternal Life comes from God, through His Son, Jesus Christ; therefore we must believe in Him if we desire Eternal Life. One way we know that we are becoming one with Christ is if we have the confidence to ask Him for anything that is according to His will and know that He will hear us and give us according to our prayer. In the Book of Mormon: Thirteenth, 1 Nephi chapter 11 verse 25; both Nephi and his father, Lehi, beheld a dream in which they saw among many other things a Rod of Iron, which led to the Tree of Life, representing among other things the sweet joy of Eternal Life. As long as they, and all the people they saw in the dream, held fast to the Rod of  Iron they safely arrived at the tree and partook of the delicious fruit of Eternal Life. So what is the Rod of Iron that was so fundamental in obtaining Eternal Life? It was interpreted as the Word of God. Fourteenth, 2 Nephi chapter 25 verse 27; life is in Christ, both immortality and Eternal Life. Fifteenth, Alma chapter 5 verses 34 through 35; those who bring forth works of righteousness will eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life and partake of the fruit of the Tree of Life. What is the bread and waters of life? I believe it is sacrament of the Lord's supper and all the promises associated with the covenants that we make in Christ's name from baptism to our sacred temple ordinances. Sixteenth, 3 Nephi chapter 9 verse 18; Christ is the hope for the life of the world. Seventeenth, Doctrine and Covenants section 88 verses 22 through 24; I saved this until last because it sums up so well all that has been discussed, plus it gives us an understanding of the rewards that will come to those who have truly sought after the life which Christ has to offer the righteous; they have truly worked to become Christ-like. So, to sum things up, all mankind will be resurrected! But in the resurrection all who have abided the law of Christ will inherit a kingdom prepared for them, even a celestial kingdom or the kingdom of God and enjoy the presence of God; this is spiritual life or Eternal Life. Those who have not will inherit less; they will not enjoy the presence of God; this is spiritual death. They will enjoy immortality, but not Eternal Life.  

Topic: Judgment

Romans 14:10-12 > Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 > Matthew 12:36-37 > Mosiah 4:30 > Matthew 15:18-19 > Revelation 20:12-13 > 1 Nephi 15:33 > Alma 41:2-6 > 2 Nephi 9:15-18 > Doctrine and Covenants 101:78

In previous Scripture Trains, the Judgment of God or our Judgment Day has been mentioned several times. It has been mentioned in regards to our final reward in the kingdom of God or the kingdom of Heaven. This is not something that we can overlook, disregard, or dismiss for as Paul teaches the Romans in chapter 14 verses 10 through 12, “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” “Everyone of us shall give account of himself to God.” I believe it when Paul says, “All”, or “Everyone”.

In Ecclesiastes chapter 12 verses 13 and 14, the final two verses of this book, the writer teaches that the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments. Then he goes on to say, “God shall bring every work into judgment”. Does this not sober us up? Does God not mean what He says? “Every work” will be judged. “Everyone of us will give account of himself to God”, whether good or evil. In Matthew chapter 12 verses 36 and 37, Christ teaches that this judgment will even be extended to the words we speak! We will be justified or condemned according to not only our works, but our words, also. If it isn't enough to bring our words and our works into judgment, King Benjamin, in Mosiah chapter 4 verse 30, even warns us to watch our thoughts. Christ teaches us why in Matthew chapter 15 verses 18 and 19; He says that out of the heart come evil thoughts of murder, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness and blasphemies.

In Revelation chapter 20 verses 12 and 13, John beheld Judgment Day in a vision; he says, “I saw the dead, small and great stand before God…and the dead were judged…according to their works.” In 1 Nephi chapter 15 verse 33, Nephi addresses the state of the wicked at judgment; he says, “If their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God”. Why? Else the kingdom of God be filthy, also.

Judgment Day will be just as much a part of our lives as birth and death. It will come! Alma teaches, in Alma chapter 41 verses 2 through 6, that in the resurrection all things will be restored to its proper frame and order. He teaches that judgment must come according to the justice of God. We must understand, each one of us that we cannot put anything past God; we cannot fool Him, we cannot trick Him into thinking that we are different than what we actually are. We must come to judgment! We must give an accounting of our lives. If my heart has been good, if I have sought after good and so forth, then good will be restored to me. If, on the other hand, I have sought after evil all my life, then in judgment evil will be restored unto me. In 2 Nephi chapter 9 verses 15 through 18 Nephi reaffirms what Alma taught and also gives us the final state of the righteous; he says that after their resurrection all men will appear before Christ and be judged according to His holy judgment. He goes on to say that all who have been righteous will be righteous still and all who have been filthy will be filthy still. He says that God will fulfill all His words. He says the righteous will inherit the kingdom of God and their joy shall be full forever. Please notice here some of the attributes of the righteous: The Saints, those who believe in Christ, those who have endured the crosses of the world and those who have despised the shame of the world.

Finally, in Doctrine and Covenants section 101 verse 78, the Lord tells us that all men are given the opportunity to act according to their moral agency, which God has given them. As a result, all men will be held accountable, in the Day of Judgment, for their thoughts, their words, their choices and their works, whether they be good or evil. 

Topic: Book of Life

Philippians 4:3 > 2 Nephi 29:11 > Doctrine and Covenants 76:68 > Alma 5:58 > James 2:17-18 > Exodus 32:33 > Psalms 69:28 > Revelation 3:5 > Daniel 12:1 > Revelation 20:12-15 > Doctrine and Covenants 128:6-7

In the Scripture Train, "Becoming Christ-like", we discussed the scriptural teaching that only those who become Christ-like will inherit Eternal Life. The scriptures also teach that to gain Eternal Life our names must be written in the Book of Life.

In Philippians chapter 4 verse 3, Paul pleads with his brethren to look after those women, and others, who labored with him in the gospel, who he called his, "Fellow Laborers", whose names are written in the Book of Life. Immediately what jumps out to me and those who study the scriptures diligently is the fact that it is those who labor, those who bring forth good works, those who are not hearers only, but doers of the word, who will be written in the Book of Life.

In 2 Nephi chapter 29 verse 11, although the Book of Life is not specifically mentioned, we are taught that we will be judged out of the books which shall be written, we shall be judged according to our works. We must assume that the Book of Life is one of those books. Similarly, in the Doctrine and Covenants section 76 verse 68, we read that those who receive salvation will be those whose names are written in heaven. In what will they be written? The books, of course, even the Book of Life. In Alma chapter 5 verse 58, Alma teaches that it does not matter what our opinions are, what does matter is what the scriptures teach and in this matter they teach that our names must be written in Book of Life and only the names of the righteous will be written therein. The righteous are those, who by their works, demonstrate their faith in Jesus Christ. James chapter 2 verses 17 and 18 is very sure on this point; certainly James was a righteous man, he knew that righteousness came by doing through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Even though our names may be written in the Book of Life, it is possible that we could be blotted out of this great book. In Exodus chapter 32 verse 33, the Lord warns Moses that those who sin will be blotted out of His Book of Life. Here we learn that the Book of Life is the Lord’s book. Furthering our understanding, we read in Psalms chapter 69 verse 28 that the names of the unrighteous will be blotted out of the Book of Living. There are a couple of interesting things that we can ponder upon at this point. These are ideas and not doctrines. First, is it a possibilty that all of God's children's names are written in the Book of Life until such time when, through their unrighteousness, they are blotted out? Second, are our names written in the Book of Life only after we take upon ourselves the saving ordinances and make covenants with God? Obviously, no matter what the case, we are written in the Book of Life and we can be blotted out. Our salvation is not made sure until God says so! This is alluded to in Revelation chapter 3 verse 5 where we learn that we can overcome sin and thus unrighteousness and those people who do overcome, their names will not be blotted out, but rather they will be clothed in the robes of righteousness and Christ will confess their names before His Father and all the holy angels.

In Daniel chapter 12 verse 1, we read of a great message of hope to all those whose names are found in the "Book". In times of great trial and trouble all those whose names will be found written in the Book of Life will be delivered.

What is the final out come? In Revelation chapter 20 verses 12 through 15 and Doctrine and Covenants section 128 verses 6 and 7, we learn what will become of us as we come before the great Judge, even Jesus Christ, to Whom the Book of Life belongs. We will stand before Him and the books will be opened in which is recorded the works, which we have done while living upon the earth and we will all be judged out of these books according to our works. Then the Book of Life will be opened and if our names are not found in the Book of Life, we will be cast out; if, on the other hand our names are written therein, we will be saved in the kingdom of God. 

Topic: Becoming Christ-like

1 Peter 2:21 > John 13:13-17 > Doctrine and Covenants 35:2 > John 17:3, 21 > 3 Nephi 18:16 > Moroni 7:48 > 3 Nephi 27:20-22, 27 > Matthew 5:48 > 3 Nephi 12:48

This Scripture Train, Becoming Christ-Like, follows right in line with the previous Train of Following Christ and Discipleship. Indeed, what is the logical conclusion? If we work to follow our Savior and become His Disciple, who will we eventually become like? Our Savior, of course; it is not possible in this mortal life to become exactly like Him or become perfectly one with Him, but certainly, we will be on that journey of becoming  more like Him. As we strive to follow His example in our lives, certainly our works will come to resemble His. We will serve as He served; we will show kindness as He showed kindness; we will comfort as He comforted; we will strive to learn to love as He loved. Is it blasphemous to say that we want to learn to love as He loved and then go about working diligently and faithfully to learn to do so? Is it blasphemous to say that we want to learn to become more like our Savior? The scriptures teach that we should.

In 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 21, Peter teaches that Christ set the example for us to follow, we are to walk in His footsteps. If we are to walk in His footsteps, then we certainly will begin the process of becoming like Him. In John chapter 13 verses 13 through 17, we listen to Jesus teach us to follow His example in how to serve each other. Is this not something that we can learn to do near perfectly? I believe we can learn to serve as Jesus served, this is His expectation of us, otherwise, He would not have commanded it. Remember our study of His grace? Grace is the strengthening power that comes from God and Christ to do as they command.

In the book of Doctrine and Covenants section 35 verse 2, Christ teaches that as we learn to believe Him that His atonement will be effective in our lives to the end thata we will become the sons of God; we will become one in Christ as Christ is one with the Father and the Father is one in Him, that we all may be one. In John chapter 17 verse 3 and 21, Christ teaches that in order to have eternal life we must come to know Him and His Father. How can we possibly come to know them if we do not become like them and eventually one with them? Christ prayed to the Father that we would all become one. Would Christ pray to His Father for something that was impossible? Of course not.

Here are a couple of more examples of how we can become more Christ-like. In 3 Nephi chapter 18 verse 16, Christ states that He is the light, the example that we are to follow; we are to pray for each other as He prayed for us. We can learn to be like Him in our prayes. In Moroni chapter 7 verse 48, Moroni teaches that we are to pray unto the Father with all the energy of our hearts so that we may be filled with the same love that God bestowed upon all who are true followers of His Son. Immagine how much better we will come to know our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ if we were filled with their love and able to love as they love! To love like God and Christ love is a gift that God bestows upon those who work to do so. Then both in this verse and in 1 John chapter 3 verse 2 we learn that we shall become His sons (and daughters), we will be like Christ for when He appears we shall see Him as He is for we shall be like Him. We are taught to have this hope. Those who strive with all their hearts to follow Christ and to become Christ-like will become like Him. This must be our hope if it is to become a reality.

In 3 Nephi chapter 27 verse 20 through 22 and 27, Christ teaches that this is His gospel: To repent, be baptized, and be sanctified through the reception of the Holy Ghost, so that we may stand spotless before Him at the last day. To be spotless is to be clean and pure, without sin. Christ is spotless, so will we be like Him? Yes! In His instruction to us, He teaches us to do the works that we have seen Him do. Even though we were not with Him in His ministries, we can see Him through a thorough study of scripture. As we study His life and His works, we can learn to emulate Him in our life when we come upon difficult circumstances. Also, if we do the things that He has  commanded, then it will be much easier for us to learn to emulate Him. As we do our best to do these things, we will be lifted up at the last day! So, if we understand this correctly, only those who become Christ-like in all their deeds and words can be saved. Remember, Jesus is our example of a saved person and unless we become like Him we cannot be saved. Does the commandment He gives, “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am”, now have further meaning to us? Following this question, does the commandment He gives in Matthew chapter 5 verse 48 and in 3 Nephi chapter 12 verse 48, now have a great deal more meaning to us? In Matthew, He commands us to be perfect, even as His Father, which is in heaven is perfect. In 3 Nephi he commands us to be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect. Remember, in Matthew Christ had not yet been resurrected when He uttered this commandment. In 3 Nephi, He appeared as a resurrected being to His people, thus He had obtained perfection. We learn from this that we will not obtain perfection, oneness, completeness, or wholeness in this life, it can only come after resurrection, as with Christ; but this does not mean we are not to seek it, or to strive for it, or to hope for it. We know it will not come in this life, but we know it may in the next if we work for it. 

Topic: Following Christ/Discipleship

Mark 1:16-18 > Luke 5:1-11 > Matthew 10:38 > Matthew 16:24 > Doctrine and Covenants 56:2 > Matthew 19:21, 27-29 > 1 Peter 2:21-24 > John 12:26 > John 8:12 > John 10:27-28 > 2 Nephi 31:10-13 > Doctrine and Covenants 38:22 > Alma 5:57-60

At the beginning of His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ went forth calling many to come and follow Him. In the book of Mark chapter 1 verses 16 through 18, we read of the call to Simon and Andrew; we also read of their immediate response. Another important aspect of this call was that it was not simply a call to follow Him around wherever He went, but rather it was a call to follow Him, to serve Him by learning to serve their fellow men and to eventually become like Him by doing the things He would do; said Christ, “I will make you to become fishers of men.”

In Luke chapter 5 verses 1 through 11, we learn important principles of what it means to be a follower, or in other words, a disciple. First, obedience! We read how Peter immediately obeyed Christ in all His commands. We have already studied the principle of obedience, we know how critical it is to our salvation. Second, humility! We read how humble Peter was in acknowledging his own unworthiness to be even in the presence of the Lord. A humble person is obedient. Third, blessed! The humble and obedient are blessed. Ultimately they will enjoy the blessing of eternal life. Fourth, forsake all. A true Disciple will forsake all for the kingdom of God. With these examples, we can learn what we need to do to follow or to become a Disciple of Jesus Christ. We can follow Christ's personal example or we can follow the example of His righteous Disciples.

In Matthew chapter 10 verse 38 and chapter 16 verse 24, Christ further teaches the principle of Discipleship. He teaches that to be His follower, or His disciple, we must take up our cross and follow Him. Joseph Smith in his inspired translation of the New Testament was inspired to write the following at the end of Matthew 16:24: "And now for a man to take up his cross, is to deny himself all ungodliness, and every worldly lust, and keep my commandments." From this inspired translation we see that this is exactly what Peter and Andrew did; we should follow their example.

As of yet, Christ had not literally taken up His own cross and carried it to His place of crucifixion. Those who knew the scriptures really well, may have had some idea that Christ was offering a foreshadowing of His own final days of His mission, when He would carry His own cross. So if Jesus was making a reference to His own cross bearing that would yet be in the future, then what can we learn that would help us in our own discipleship? Christ carrying His own cross to me was symbolic of how strictly He obeyed His own Father’s commandments. Not only is the cross-carrying a figurative fulfillment of true discipleship, but it is also a literal fulfillment of how Christ was obedient to the Father throughout His entire life.

Could Christ have refused to carry His cross? Could He have simply thrown it down and stood by it in blatant refusal to carry it any further or at all? Yes, He could have, but instead He demonstrated His obedience to His Father by submitting to all things, which His Father required of Him! By so doing He set an example of how we should act, how we should obey and submit to all things our Father in Heaven requires of us. In the Doctrine and Covenants section 56 verse 2 we read that if we do not take up our cross and follow Jesus and keep His commandments then we will not be saved. So, everything Jesus did was not only crucial for our own salvation, but His, as well. When Jesus commands that we take up our cross, He is not asking of us anything that He has not already done Himself. He denied Himself of all ungodliness and is telling us to do the same and to be obedient in all things the Father command us; just as He did.

Turning to Matthew chapter 19 verse 21 and verses 27 through 29 we continue to build on this principle. In verse 21, we see what Jesus said the young man needed to do to obtain eternal life; he needed to do just as He did, he needed to forsake all worldliness and all worldly things and to follow Jesus. Once Jesus had explained this incident to Peter and the others, Peter claimed that this is exactly what they had done! They had given up all worldly things and followed Jesus. Jesus then teaches them and all of us that by following Him and denying ourselves of all ungodliness and all worldliness we will grow to be perfect and will inherit eternal life. In 1 Peter chapter 2 verses 21 through 24, Peter teaches that  Christ suffered, He suffered even though He was perfect, was never guilty of sin, never spoke guile, and never reviled against His enemies; we are called to follow His example in our sufferings; if Christ bore His patiently, so can we, with His help. The cross He bore was heavy ours will be heavy too. How can we expect to follow Him if we don’t, in some measure, suffer with Him? How can we learn to appreciate, in some small way, what He did for us, if we don’t experience in some degree, what he suffered for us?

Besides the promise of eternal life that Christ gives to those who follow Him , there are other promises that we can have while yet here, living on earth. In John chapters 12 verse 26, 8 verse 12 and 10 verses 27 through 28 we read that, 1. The Father will honor us, 2. We will walk in the light of life, 3. We will recognize the voice of Christ, 4. He will know us and finally we are promised eternal life and that we will never perish spiritually and never fall from His grace. 2 Nephi chapter 31 verses 10 through 13 sums this up very nicely. Christ commands that we follow Him; however, we cannot follow Him unless we keep the commandments of the Father. What are the commandments and what example did Christ set that we are to follow? We are to repent, be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, just as Christ was baptized and received this same gift. Then we are to continue to follow the example of Christ by doing what He did.

So as section 38 verse 22 suggests, who can stay the hand of God? If we will hear His voice and keep His commandments, His promised blessings are sure. The final reading in Alma chapter 5 verses 57 through 60, beautifully teaches how important it is to follow the example of Jesus Christ, for what shepherd is there who will not watch over his flock and who will not call after his sheep?