Here is a snippet from Sunday’s message.
Jesus shares with us:
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal (John 12:25).
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it (Matthew 11:37-39).
And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. . . . So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:25-33).
If you want to destroy your life, continue to affectionately hang on to it. What is a true follower of Jesus (knowing this is the buzz word in American religious circles)? According to John 12, it means following Jesus all the way to Golgatha.
Jesus in Idaho Falls 
“According to John 12, it means following Jesus all the way to Golgatha.”
Yup, and according to the entire New Testament…
“For I have been crucified with Christ…”
“Those who are baptized into Christ are baptized into His death…”
“If you live according to the flesh you will die, but if, by the Spirit, you put to death the deeds of the flesh you will live…”
And, of course, from John 12 (besides the above):
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
So “being alone” is not good. Interesting.
Todd,
A true follower to me means one who is willing to let their will be swallowed up in that of the Father. Just as the Son was willing to do. The challenge is two fold — (1) knowing what is the will of the Father, and (2) submitting our will (i.e. overcoming the desires of the natural man). See 1 Cor 2:14, Mosiah 3:19, Moroni 10:31-32
So are you planning to watch/listen to the LDS General Conference this weekend? You could even attend the Saturday night priesthood session at a nearby stake center from 6pm to 8pm — the lights are off and they don’t take attendance. 😉
As with anyone else in attendance (member or non-member), *if* your heart is prepared, you *will* receive personal revelation and a witness of the Spirit regarding the doctrine and counsel given. (notice I didn’t say “our minds” as it is the heart that is most important.)
The wonderful blessing of the “light of Christ” is available to everyone born in this world and it is the conduit by which truth and light from God is witnessed to our souls. Agency allows us to either choose to seek after this light or deny it, but in the end we will all be held accountable and rewarded by the choice we made regarding this blessing.
I am so grateful that the Lord continues to speak to all of His children in these last days through revelation both personally and through His called and chosen leaders.
Rob, my family and I are in Elko, Nevada for the NWB Conference, but we are headed back today.
You have me tempted to slip in.
I love hearing about the light in John’s Gospel and in Isaiah.