Learning to Become a Disciple of Christ

I am Sister Weir's companion, Sister Rathgeber.  She suggested I do a guest blog since I am not currently doing one myself.  This morning, I was reflecting on how missionary work has the power to change and transform people into better disciples of Christ.  One is forced to rely wholly upon the Lord in all he or she does.  This truly is God's work.  There is one of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon where it quotes from the book of Alma in Chapter 26 verse 12: "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God for in his strengh I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land for which we will praise his name forever."  It is a miracle to realize that everything in the world is about Him, Jesus Christ, the one who sacrificed Himself for us. 

I think of where I was over a year ago living back in New York and deciding go to serve a mission to share the message that God still speaks to us today, he loves us, he has restored the priesthood authority of God through the prophet Joseph Smith.  The primitive church of Christ is back and is being led by a prophet, Thomas S. Monson, receiving revelation from God to lead and guide the world.  It is humbling to think he allows me and 52,000 other missionaries around the world to be an instrument in His great hands.  It is exciting to teach people about the correct priesthood authority being on the earth, to allow them to learn about and follow the example of Jesus Christ, and watch them be baptized.

My great goal when I decided to serve a mission was to have perfect faith as prophets of old, and and to have His will be my will.  There is a talk by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf in the April 2009 General Conference "The Way of the Disciple", it quotes, "The first step on the path of dscipleship begins in the exact place where we stand!  We do not have to prequalify to take that first step.  It doesn't matter if we are rich or poor.  There is no requirement to be educated, eloquent, or intellectual.  We do not have to be perfect or well-spoken or even well-mannered.   You and I can walk in the path of discipleship today.  Let us be humble; let us pray to our Father in Heaven will all our heart and express our desire to draw close to him and learn of Him." The greatest part not just in missionary work, but in life, is that we can always look to Jesus Christ, in times of happiness and sadness.  He always hears and answers prayers.  Becoming a disciple of Christ is a continual and eternal process, it is only through Him, that weaknesses will become strengths.

Sister Rathgeber