My Name Linked with His: Developing a Christlike Ethos
I’m still in the process of becoming like Jesus, but thanks to this message from general conference, I now have a better idea of how to do it.
“Ugh, I’m going to kick this cat!” groaned my 12-year-old self as a neighborhood cat wove through my legs, nearly tripping me for the fifth time.
“Are you a member of the Church?” piped up a voice from across the street. “Is that how you want to represent the Church?”
I looked over, but it was too dark to see who had spoken. I felt annoyed and a little indignant. It’s not like I—a 12-year-old girl—spoke for the whole Church of Jesus Christ. And I felt justified in saying what I said. Surely this random woman knew I wasn’t actually going to kick the cat.
Though this experience happened years ago, its memory flooded back into my mind while I listened to Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speak during conference.
He talked about Dr. Craig Selzman, who, upon receiving a special professorship honoring President Russell M. Nelson and his wife Dantzel, reflected on how his name would be connected to President Nelson’s. He said, “‘Now that my name will be linked with his, I need to try to be more like him.’”
Just like Dr. Selzman’s and President Nelson’s names were linked together because of the professorship, our names are linked with Jesus Christ’s because of our membership in His Church.
Linking Our Names with Christ’s
Once I realized this, I was reminded of other experiences in my life where God was trying to teach me that my name is linked with Christ’s.
I remember one time when I was in seminary, my teacher invited each class member to say their full name and add “Christ” at the end of it. He was trying to teach us, in a very concrete way, that, as members of the Church, we literally take upon ourselves Christ’s name.
Then later, while on my mission, I put on a tag every morning that had my name right next to the Savior’s. The connection was clear—I was His representative.
As I reflected on these experiences, it finally clicked that I’ve always been linked to Jesus Christ. I promised to take His name upon me when I was baptized. And taking His name upon me means striving to become more like Him.
Like Elder Renlund, I asked myself these questions: “‘How have I changed since I linked my name with the name of Jesus Christ? Have I adopted a Christlike ethos as a result? Have I genuinely tried to become better and more like Him?’”
Adopting a Christlike Ethos
Elder Renlund taught that adopting a Christlike ethos requires identifying with Him, remembering Him in all things, emulating Him, and aligning our will with His. As we do these four things, we will be empowered by Him.
These things sound simple, but they’re not always easy. I often let things—like work, my own thoughts and fears, and TV shows—distract me from trying to become more like Christ.
After listening to Elder Renlund, I feel inspired to make some changes.
I’ve made a goal to wake up 15 minutes earlier and study the scriptures every morning, pray sincerely for people to serve each day, and express more gratitude for the blessings God gives me. I hope that by doing these things, I can better identify with, remember, emulate, and align my will with Christ.
What changes can you make in your life to better remember and emulate Him?
Becoming Like the Savior
Time goes by, and I gain perspective on the experience I had when I was 12. I may not speak for the whole Church, but the things I think, say, and do are a direct reflection of how closely linked I am with Christ.
I am grateful for the messages shared at general conference, especially Elder Renlund’s. Because though I am still in the process of becoming like Jesus, now I have a better idea of how to do it.