40 Days Closer to Christ
by Nathan Jensen
A Season of Giving
On Tuesday, November 15, Christmas will be 40 DAYS AWAY! To make this holiday season special and enjoyable for yourself and all those around you, I invite you to come unto Christ and partake of His goodness. What greater gift can you give to the Savior and to those whom you love? As you work on improving your own life through the atonement of Christ, your desire to share the gospel and invite others to come unto Him will grow, you will be given opportunities to serve others, and you will be guided by the Spirit to do the Lord’s work.
40 Days Closer to Christ Program
To help me become more spiritually in-tune and better prepared to assist in the Savior’s work, I have started a personal program which I have called “40 Days Closer to Christ”. As part of this program I will be studying the 4 gospels of the New Testament and have also set some daily, weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly goals to help me draw closer to my Savior. To assist me in achieving these goals, I have developed a very useful Google Sheet to remind me of my goals on a daily basis and to help me keep track of my personal progress. I have decided to share a copy of this goal tracker and the study program with each of you. Both of these are available for your use on this blog that I created. On the goal tracking sheet, I have given you some basic gospel suggestions of things you can work on. If that isn't helpful for you, try something else. Different methods work for each of us. This has just been an effective tool that I have come up with and felt like sharing. My invitation is that you take the time to ponder and think of several things that you can do in your own life to draw closer to Christ. Work on those things during the next 40 days until Christmas. Develop a program for yourself that is adaptable and will help you feel the spirit of Christmas.. I promise that by so doing you will be blessed.
Come unto Christ
Many of you probably know that I love sports and that exercise is a big part of my life. Over the past several years I have had several injuries that have limited my ability to fully participate in some of the things I most enjoy., I love soccer, basketball, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, running, and rock climbing. These things are exciting to me and keeps me both busy and healthy. Sometimes, however, being involved with sports has its downfalls. For me it has been a long battle with physical injury. During the past few year, I have struggled with hamstring, ankle, shoulder, knee, and finger injuries which have limited my ability to fully participate in many of the activities that I love. Luckily for me, none of these injuries have been too serious; they have, however, taken much longer than anticipated to heal. It is only through proper care and consistent regular strength training that I will be able to completely recover, and return to full activity in these things that I love.
Like unto physical injuries, but in a more serious and painful way, nothing feels worse than being injured spiritually. We have all suffered such injuries at times in our lives; some more serious than others. The guilt and shame that comes through disobedience is an extremely difficult to bear. Just as my desire to be on the playing field is strong, I desire to be involved as much as possible with living the gospel and assisting the Savior in His work. Fortunately, I have made some really good choices in my life to help me stay close to the Lord. Developing good, healthy, personal habits has blessed me immensely. At the most difficult times, it has been a prayer or a verse in the scriptures that gave me the strength I so desperately stood in need of. I am not perfect though, and I am always getting bumps and bruises along the way that need the Savior’s mending. But, as I strive to improve myself by faithfully participating in daily private religious practices, I receive strength through the Atonement, my heart and desires gradually change, and I become better.
If any of you have been injured or are currently injured, you probably understand how difficult things can get. Maybe you are tired and stressed with the day to day things in life. Maybe you are physically or emotionally weak. Or maybe you are battling with a long struggle of addiction. Often times it’s our pride that weakens our faith. We become selfish, lose sight of the needs of those around us, and feel bad for ourselves because we don’t have what we want. When we focus on ourselves and our weaknesses, we will naturally lose strength. Instead of beating ourselves up, we should focus our attention towards understanding the doctrine and serving others. These things will strengthen our faith and enable us to change our behavior. Whatever it is that you face, no matter how difficult your trials, there is always hope through Christ.
As we turn to Christ and go through the necessary steps to rid ourselves of sin, we become sanctified and are made holy. We receive the strength to overcome the tendencies of the natural man and our very nature changes. If any of you are injured, fatigued, or stressed right now, accept the Savior’s invitation to come unto Him. He said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). Do not wait any longer. Make the necessary changes in your lifestyle. For surely, even as President Uchtdorf profoundly stated, “You can do it now!”
We are Called to Serve
I have recently been thinking a lot lately about the Prophet’s call to each of us to assist in hastening the Lord’s work here on earth. In his opening remarks in the October 2013 General Conference, President Monson said, “Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to work together, to labor in the Lord’s vineyard to bring souls unto Him. He has prepared the means for us to share the gospel in a multitude of ways, and He will assist us in our labors if we will act in faith to fulfill His work.” God has invited us to assist the missionaries in their purpose, which is also our purpose as member missionaries, “To invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy ghost, and enduring to the end.”
We have been called to a great work, yay, even commanded by the Lord to “gather (ourselves) together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who (know) not God” (Alma 6:6). We have been chosen at this time and in this day and age because the Lord trusts us. Take care of your wounds and get healthy so that you can assist in this great work of saving souls. He needs our help. Let’s serve Him well.
God has given us all of the tools and resources needed to carry out His work. Millions of people are prepared and ready to receive the gospel. And miracles seen and unseen are happening every day. And just like unto the days of Nephi, the son of Nephi, “there (is) not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save (he or she be) cleansed every whit from (his or her) iniquity” (3 Nephi 8:1). As we come unto Christ and use the Atonement to cleanse ourselves, we will be able to perform many miracles in the name of Jesus. As we work upon becoming more converted to the gospel of Christ, experiencing a “mighty change in our hearts” and “having the image of God engraven upon our countenances” by making and keeping sacred covenants, we will be named the “children of Christ.” And then, having taken upon ourselves His name, we will be made instruments in the Lord’s hands in building up His kingdom here on earth.
The Atonement is the Key to Everything
Before atoning for our sins the Savior instituted the sacrament as a way for us to constantly remember him. “And he said unto them (his apostles), with desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, this is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:15-20).
Later that evening Jesus suffered for our sins. “And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the Mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation” (Luke 22:39-46). After suffering for our sins, he was brought before his own people where they condemned Him and crucified Him.
After finishing the work His Father sent him to do, Christ rose from the tomb on the third day. He did indeed triumph over death granting each of us the free gift of resurrection. With great hope, this message continues to change lives each and every day including my own. It is my prayer that each of us can more boldly bear this message to the world.
Working to Become Like Him
As we use the Atonement and share the gospel with others, we become like the Savior. He was the perfect example and taught us to follow him. He said, “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27). Just as we have been commanded and strive to do, he worked to become better. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). He grew in knowledge, physical strength, spirituality, and interpersonal skills during his mortal life. I have been working to try and make His example of development a blueprint for my own life. Just as He did, we need to set goals and strive to develop in each of these areas. As we do so, we will become more like Him.
The Savior taught us to lose ourselves in His work and to go about doing good. He taught, “he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he that serveth” (Luke 22:26-27).
Christ is the Good News that We Must Share
The Savior said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). This good news needs to be shared to the world. Many of our friends have heard this message over and over again, but we need to be there to remind them of the things they once knew. Sometimes those closest to us are struggling. It may not be apparent on the outside, but they need our help. Sharing the gospel accompanied with testimony will soften hard hearts and lead people to accept the invitation to come unto Christ. King Benjamin prophesied of our day saying, “And Moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent…And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent” (Mosiah 3:17,20-21). Today, the tools have become available where the gospel can reach all. It is our responsibility to share this good news to the world.
A few years ago when I first implemented this program, I was woken up at 2:00 in the morning because my roommates were up talking. I got out of bed to grab a drink and joined my brother Corey and other roommate Carsen for a short moment to converse. After a few minutes as I crawled back into bed, I received a Facebook message from one of my good friends that I taught during my mission in Mozambique. I learned that he was working in the jungle to save up money for college and that it was his desire to get a degree in hospital administration and to hopefully start a family of his own sometime soon. We chatted about what was happening in our lives and conversed about the gospel. He explained to me that it had been very difficult for him to maintain strong faith during the past 8 months in which he had been far away from the church and other members who had the same beliefs. During that time I reminded him of the importance of having meaningful prayer and of studying the Book of Mormon on a daily basis. I testified of how these two basic principles of the gospel have blessed my own life. I also promised him that he would in turn be blessed according to his faith, and that if he began to make these two basic changes in his lifestyle, the Lord would open up increased opportunities for him to achieve his goals.
I share this experience with you for two basic reasons. First, the reason I received this experience to serve is because I was striving to make the Atonement more effective in my own life and I prayed for an opportunity to share the gospel. I absolutely had no idea that my friend was struggling and I was not planning to talk to him. I don’t believe that it was mere chance that my roommates woke me up. This experience was a direct answer to my prayer. Secondly, this experience has been a testimony to me that the Lord is indeed hastening His work. The fact that my friend had a smartphone that could get internet access in a remote area in Mozambique was a miracle in itself. It is something I had never thought would be possible. At a time when my friend needed somebody to reach out to him, the Lord was able to use me to remind him of basic gospel principles that he needed to work on. It was because I chose to increase my personal commitment to both live the gospel and share it with others that the Lord was able to bless me with this opportunity to assist in His work.
It is my testimony that Christ lives. He is the great Redeemer. He has made it possible for each of us to repent of our sins that we may stand spotless before Him at the last day. I know that He is the way and there is no other way to receive salvation. God lives. He is our loving Heavenly Father. He hears and answers our prayers. Converse with Him often. I know without a doubt that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that itt has brought me closer to my Savior. I have received countless blessings by abiding by the principles found therein. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom on earth restored. It was restored by the boy prophet Joseph Smith. Thomas S. Monson is the living mouthpiece of the Lord on the earth today. If follow His counsel we will be blessed.. May we all arise and shine forth and be an example to the world by coming unto Christ and inviting others to do the same.
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