Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

By Jim Greer

LW contributor

The inspiration behind the ‘Come Follow Me’ curriculum is that it is a universal, scriptural study guide that familiarizes everyone with the savior and his teachings. September’s study includes the book of Third Nephi containing the record of Christ’s visit to the Americas following his resurrection. This portion of the Book of Mormon is perhaps the most inspiring section for church members and investigators alike.

Christ’s visit to the Americas affirms God’s commitment to bless all of his children worldwide. Those believers who had observed the Law of Moses were looking forward to the time when the savior would come and fulfill it. Indeed, Christ stated, “for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled” (3 Nephi 9: 17).

That fulfillment of the law included the invitation to “come unto Christ,” which we do as we strive to live his gospel. There are simple ways we can come unto him, as explained by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in the April 2006 General Conference.

“The scriptures give scores of examples and avenues. The easiest and the earliest comes simply with the desire of our heart, the most basic form of faith that we know.” As Alma explained, “If ye can no more than desire to believe,” and employ “a particle of faith,” and give a “small place” for the promises of God, that is the perfect place to start. (see Alma 32:27). Elder Holland continued, “that simple step, when focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, has ever been and always will be the first principle of his eternal gospel, the first step out of despair.”

Elder Holland further explains that a second step is to change or eliminate any aspect of our lives that would keep our faith from growing. In other words, repent and replace ungodly thoughts and actions with those that will nourish that simple particle of faith. In short, he suggests that “anything we can change, we should change, and we must forgive the rest.”

Each of us promised at the time of our baptism to take upon ourselves the name of Christ and always remember him. His name is bestowed by covenant in the saving ordinances of baptism and temple covenants. Those covenants we can regularly renew every time we partake of the sacrament.

We should always do as the prophet Nephi implored, “do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost” (2 Nephi 31:13, 17).

And so, we come unto Christ when we follow these essential teachings. Just as the Lord revealed in Philippians 4, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”