Become

Recently my thoughts and experiences have caused me to reflect on the true meaning of life. I had realized that in the course of my mission I had become preoccupied with things of little consequence. As a result of my actions I had inadvertently distanced myself from God. My true purpose in life had been forgotten. This week I have begun to reacquaint myself with this truth. This blog will reveal what I have rediscovered.

The purpose of life is for us to come here, gain bodies, make choices, and to return to life with God. Living in the presence of God is called eternal life, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God (D&C 14:7). Those who recieve eternal life inherit all that God has (Romans 8:16). That's a great purpose that I hope we all can remember. Remembering this helps us to live our lives in a way that will qualify us for this gift.

Dallin H. Oaks, an Apostle of the Lord, taught us what is required to qualify in this parable:

"A wealthy father knew that if he were to bestow his wealth upon a child who had not yet developed the needed wisdom and stature, the inheritance would probably be wasted. The father said to his child:

“All that I have I desire to give you—not only my wealth, but also my position and standing among men. That which I have I can easily give you, but that which I am you must obtain for yourself. You will qualify for your inheritance by learning what I have learned and by living as I have lived. I will give you the laws and principles by which I have acquired my wisdom and stature. Follow my example, mastering as I have mastered, and you will become as I am, and all that I have will be yours.”

He goes on to state that:

"The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become."

What is the purpose of this life then: to become like our Heavenly Father. How do we achieve that purpose: through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is important therefore that we focus more on what we are becoming.

I know that this is true because the spirit has born witness to me as I wrote this blog. This truth has changed the way I think and act. I had been doing all the right things on my mission, but I was not becoming what God wanted me to be. I now understand what Paul meant when he said:

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:1-2)

Charity is a measure of what we become. It is the pure love of Christ. Paul emphasized that it doesn't matter what skills he has, if he has not become like Christ those skills mean nothing.

I know that this is true. It has changed my life. I invite everyone to remember their purpose in this life. May God bless us as we strive to become what we are divinely appointed to become. May we all develop charity that when we will stand before Christ to be judged we will be like him. (1 John 3:1-5)

Click here to have missionaries over to your home to learn more about the Purpose of Life.

Click here to order a free Book of Mormon that teaches us the purpose of life.