Attributes of Christ

Just as vital as what we do in our lives is who we become. Jesus has shown us the way and set the perfect example.

Jesus Christ teaches His disciples on a hill overlooking the city gates of Jerusalem

Becoming Christlike

The invitation to follow Jesus is an invitation to follow His example and to become like Him. Learn of Him and seek to incorporate His attributes into your life. Through the power of His grace, you can become a better, more Christlike person.

Faith

When you have faith in Christ, you believe in Him as the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. You accept Him as your Savior and Redeemer and follow His teachings. You believe that your sins can be forgiven because of His atoning sacrifice. Faith in Him means that you trust Him and are confident that He loves you.

Faith is a principle of power. God works by power, but His power is usually exercised in response to faith. He works according to the faith of His children. Doubt and fear are the opposites of faith. Your faith in Jesus Christ grows as you become better acquainted with Him and His teachings. As you explore the scriptures, you learn of His ways, His love for all people, and His commandments.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

—Hebrews 11:1

Hope

Hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you. It is manifest in your confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patience. It is believing and expecting that something will occur. When you have hope,  you work through trials and difficulties with the confidence and faith that all things will work together for your good (see Romans 8:28). Hope helps you conquer discouragement. The scriptures often describe hope in Jesus Christ as the assurance that you will inherit eternal life.

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.” 

—2 Nephi 31:20

Charity and love

Charity is the pure love of Christ. It includes God’s boundless love for all His children. We are to seek to develop that kind of love. As you pray sincerely for the gift of charity, strive to live righteously, and serve others, you will come to feel a sincere concern for the welfare and happiness of other people. You will avoid negative feelings such as anger, envy, lust, or saying negative things about them. You will try to understand them and their points of view. You will be patient with them and try to help them when they are struggling or discouraged. Charity stems from action. You will develop charity as you look for opportunities to serve others and give of yourself.

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth.”

—1 Corinthians 13:4–8

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Questions & Scriptures to Study

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How do you obtain faith?
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“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”—Romans 10:17
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What do we hope for?
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“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”—Romans 8:24–25
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How important is charity?
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“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 13:2
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What are the blessings of faith?
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“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”—John 14:6

Virtue

Virtue originates in your innermost thoughts and desires. It is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. What you choose to think and do when you are alone and you believe no one is watching is a strong measure of your virtue.

Virtuous people are clean and pure spiritually. They focus on righteous, uplifting thoughts and put unworthy thoughts that lead to inappropriate actions out of their minds. They obey God’s commandments. They pray for the strength to resist temptation and do what is right. They quickly repent of any sins or wrongdoings.

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: … Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

—2 Peter 1: 3–7

Patience

Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious. It is the ability to do God’s will and accept His timing. When you are patient, you hold up under pressure and are able to face adversity calmly and hopefully. Patience is related to hope and faith—you must wait for the Lord’s promised blessings to be fulfilled. You must be patient with all people, yourself included, as you work to overcome faults and weakness.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” 

—Romans 5: 3–5

Humility

Humility is willingness to submit to the will of the Lord and to give Him the credit for what is accomplished. It includes gratitude for His blessings and acknowledgment of your constant need for His divine help. Humility is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of spiritual strength.

The opposite of humility is pride, which is condemned in the scriptures. To be prideful means to put greater trust in oneself than in God or in His servants. When you humbly trust God and acknowledge His power and mercy, you can have the assurance that His commandments are for your good. You are confident that you can do whatever the Lord requires of you if you rely on Him.

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

—Ether 12:27

Questions & Scriptures to Study

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What blessings come from virtue?
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“And let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God.”—Doctrine & Covenants 121:45
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How did Jesus show humility?
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“And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”—Matthew 26:39
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How are patience and faith related?
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“Be still, and know that I am God.”—Psalm 46:10
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What blessings come from humility?
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“...for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”—Ether 12:27

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