M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

Leadership for Saints, Part 7:
Being a User-Friendly Christian
by Rodger Dean Duncan and Ed J. Pinegar

In the world of technology, the term “user-friendly” is often intended to denote a computer system that is easy to use, one that doesn’t demand a lot of indulgence and pampering. In our roles as leaders in the Church, the Lord wants each of us to be a “user-friendly” Christian—or, in other words, a Christ-centered Saint.

We can be good “institutional” Latter-day Saints. We can be proud of the Church, its heritage, its programs, its traditions, even its university’s football team. We can embrace the Church’s culture, its social morés, its members’ work ethic.

That’s all well and good. Membership in the Lord’s Church is indeed a wondrous experience. It’s a way of living. It’s a way of life. But it is not adequate to ensure our eternal life. The Church is merely the vehicle to bring us to the Author of our Salvation, Jesus the Christ. Too often members allow the Church to get in the way of their relationship with the Lord. This happens when our security rests in the outward performances of the law and not in the hidden issues of the heart.

If we are to call ourselves “Saints” in the intended sense of the word, we must be—first and foremost—followers of Christ. We must be Christlike. We must make ourselves able and keep ourselves willing to be instruments for righteousness in the Lord’s hands. We must be the Lord’s hands on earth to bless and minister to His people. Then we will be Christ-centered Saints, leaders of destiny.

In what ways can this be done? You could compile a good list of your own. Here are three worth considering.

(1) Acknowledge the divinity of the Savior and the necessity of his mission.

The plan of salvation is specific. It includes guidelines for our behavior and spiritual maturation. The key figure in this plan is Jesus Christ—our Father’s only begotten son in the flesh. Our Savior. Our Redeemer. The Holy Messiah.

Jesus loved us enough to die for us so we could, first, live again, and second, become exalted – the first automatically, the good with the bad, through His grace; the second upon condition of personal obedience and worthiness through His grace. As true Saints, we should acknowledge and bear witness of these things to the world.

(2) Understand and accept your own role and personal responsibility in the plan of salvation.

Our third Article of Faith declares: “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.” We must take the initiative to acknowledge our sins and forsake them. We must take the initiative to understand our Father’s will, and obey it.

(3) Be anxiously engaged in doing the Lord’s work in the Lord’s way.

J. Golden Kimball reportedly said there are three kinds of members in the Church: the Saints, the ain’ts, and the complaints. Our challenge, our opportunity, our covenant, is to be Saints.

Service to God and, thereby, to one another, is a fundamental tenet of our religion. That cannot be changed by any number of excuses or any amount of rationalization.

In D&C 101, through the allegory of the servants who second-guessed their master, the Lord underscores the consequences of failing to follow instructions.

They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble.

In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me (D&C 101:7-8).

A key to our progression—and a constant test to our character—is doing the Lord’s work in the Lord’s way. This does not mean we are to become automatons, each a clone of the other. There is great room for individuality in blessing those whom we’re called to bless. But the Lord does expect us to serve in righteousness. And with that service there often must come sacrifice and consecration.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote the following while serving as a mission president in Australia:

MY MISSIONARY COMMISSION
I am called of God. My authority is above that of the kings of the earth. By revelation I have been selected as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my Master and he has chosen me to represent him. To stand in his place, to say and do what he himself would say and do if he personally were ministering to the very people to whom he has sent me. My voice is his voice, and my acts are his acts; my words are his words and my doctrine is his doctrine. My commission is to do what he wants done. To say what he wants said. To be a living modern witness in word and deed of the divinity of his great and marvelous latter-day work.

Of course, one doesn’t need to wear a missionary nametag to enjoy the benefits of such a commission. It applies to all Saints who righteously serve the Lord.

Throughout the Church we see faithful members give up hobbies, favorite television programs, lots of recreational reading, Saturday afternoon athletic events, home improvement projects and many other activities because they put the Kingdom of God first. Giving a full measure involves consecrating our time, talents and means to building the Church, the Kingdom of God on earth.

We are not counseled to neglect our families. Quite the contrary. We must work to save our families. As leaders we must always remember that we will be released from our Church callings but we will never receive a release from our divine appointment of father and husband, mother and wife. Stakes may be organized and divided anytime in our Church buildings but the sacred institution of families may be organized only in the holy temple.

David O. McKay made it clear that a priesthood holder’s first stewardship accountability from the Lord will be for his wife and then his children. With that said, neither are we counseled to use our families as an excuse for not giving full service to our Church assignments.

The issue isn’t choosing between success with our families and success with our Church stewardships—and “success” is defined as doing the best we can. Rather, the issue is recognizing that failure in one area invariably leads to failure in both. We cannot have celestial families unless we are living the celestial law of consecration. The Holy Spirit will lead us to balance our time and effort between family and church responsibilities.

What does all this have to do with character?

Everything.

True Christianity is not just a matter of organizational affiliation. True Christianity is a matter of integrity to our relationship with God. True Christianity is a matter of character.

Quotes to Remember

Here are five things to remember when trouble strikes. They are among the most fundamental truths of a gospel-centered life.
1. Pray earnestly and fast with purpose and devotion. …
2. Immerse yourself in the scriptures…
3. Serve others. …
4. Be patient. …
5. Have faith. …
– Jeffrey R. Holland

Our lives must become a symbol of meaningful expression, the symbol of our declaration of our testimony of the living Christ, the Eternal Son of the living God. – Gordon B. Hinckley

The gospel is a program, a way of life, the plan of personal salvation, and is based upon personal responsibility. – Spencer W. Kimball

It is a great work that we are engaged in, and it is for us to prepare ourselves for the labor before us, and to acknowledge God, his authority, his law and his priesthood in all things.
– John Taylor

President Spencer W. Kimball stated: "We must lay on the altar and sacrifice whatever is required by the Lord. We begin by offering a 'broken heart and a contrite spirit.' We follow this by giving our best effort in our assigned fields of labor and callings. Finally we consecrate our time, talents, and means as called upon by our file leaders and as prompted by the whisperings of the Spirit. . . . And as we give, we find that 'sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven!' (Hymns, no. 147.)
And in the end, we learn it was no sacrifice at all. – Carlos E. Asay

No other success can compensate for failure in the home. – David O. McKay

True Christianity is love in action. There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for one's fellowmen. – Thomas S. Monson

Note: The excerpts of Leadership for Saints posted on Meridian are only a fraction of the contents of this 349-page book. To learn more about this ground-breaking book and to order copies, click here.

© 2002 by Rodger Dean Duncan & Ed J. Pinegar