Just like his Father

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Saturday Morning Session of the October 1982 Conference.

Teddy came to Sam and said, "Daddy, match me!" So Sam did—right down to the rolled cuffs :)

 My mother-in-law told me a story last week (I think it was from one of Michael Wilcox's books) about a new father who was really worried about how he would possibly teach and raise his baby son to be a good person. He fretted and prayed about this overwhelming task almost constantly, and one night he had a dream. He dreamed that he was living at the time Christ visited the Nephites, and he was holding his baby son in his arms, waiting for Christ to give his son a blessing. He was so anxious to have the Savior bless his son, and he couldn't wait to find out what amazing blessing He would give. When Jesus finally got the baby, he looked in the father's eyes and said, "I bless your son that he will become just like his father."

It was a good lesson for the man telling the story, about how much of parenting comes down to being an example to our children. But I have been thinking all week of how this story applies to our own individual journey to Christ, as well. I can imagine Heavenly Father blessing His son to become just like His Father. And He did it! And then I can imagine that Jesus gives that same blessing to all of us—if we want it—that WE will become just like OUR spiritual Father, Jesus Christ!

It is encouraging to think that such a thing is even possible. And that Jesus Christ WANTS to give each of us that same blessing. All we have to do is decide that we want it too.

Have you ever thought of the process by which the gospel saves people? Faith, repentance, and baptism come first, of course. But there is more, much more. 

The meaning of complete salvation is that we become like the Savior in word and thought and deed. We can measure our progress toward salvation merely by determining how Christlike we are. If we are not becoming more like Him in our everyday living, we are not advancing toward salvation as we should.  (Elder Mark E. Peterson)