What kind of stature?

In a recent mission president´s seminar, Elder Lynn Robbins of the Seventy shared the following quote from Elder Henry B. Moyle:
“In life a missionary rarely rises above the stature that he or she carves out for him or her self in the mission field.”

Stature means standing, reputation, character, ability or condition. In other words, it means who we are and who we are becoming in the mission field that will set the standard for the rest of our lives. Elder Robbins gave an example of this when he said:

“The way a missionary gets along with his or her companion will predict how they will be in their future marriage.”

Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel show us how to become more like the Savior. It requires that we “learn of Him and seek to incorporate His attributes into our lives”(Preach My Gospel pg. 115). D&C 88:118 teaches us that we must “seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” Chapter 6 provides some suggestions on how to develop Christlike attributes by study:

• As you complete the “Attribute Activity” at the end of this chapter, identify the attribute you most need or want to develop. Study the section about that attribute, and set goals for developing it.

• Read through the chapter without studying the scriptures, and determine which attribute you want to study more fully. Then study the key scriptures associated with the attribute. Search for additional scriptures not listed in the chapter that teach about the attribute. Record in your study journal ideas for developing the attribute.

• Identify an attribute you wish to study. Follow the pattern under the heading “Developing Christlike Attributes” found at the end of the chapter.

Learning by faith requires actions. Elder Robbins taught “that being without doing is “faith without works” and doing without being is hypocrisy.” Just like true faith in Jesus Christ leads to action, true hope, charity, virtue knowledge, patience, humility, diligence, and obedience leads to action.

Chapter 6 also provides suggestions for learning by faith:

• Identify the attribute you wish to develop.

• Write a definition and description of the attribute.

• Record questions to answer as you study.

• List and study thoroughly passages of scripture that teach about the attribute.

• Record your feelings and impressions.

• Set goals and make plans to apply the attribute in your life.

• Pray for the Lord to help you develop the attribute.

• Evaluate your progress periodically in developing each attribute.

We set daily, weekly, and monthly goals and plans in our proseltying efforts to invite all to come unto Christ. Just as important is setting daily, weekly and monthly goals to develop Christlike attributes. These goals and plans should be recorded in our daily planners. As we give our best efforts to accomplish our goals to develop Christlike attributes we will truly become like Him and come to know Him as the Savior taught, we will come to know through own experience that “people become converted as they live the principles they learn (see John 7:17) and feel the Spirit confirm that what they are doing is pleasing to their Father in Heaven.”(Preach My Gospel pg. 196)

We love you and you inspire us,
President May