Even As I Am

Yesterday was a historic day for the Church as President Dallin H. Oaks became the 18^th president of the Church. In a press conference he said, “I accept with humility the responsibility that God has placed upon me and commit my whole heart and soul to the service to which I’ve been called.” Several years ago, I listened to his biography, and I came away with the impression that he was not only a man of God but one who gave a prodigious effort to all he did. From that I am confident he will indeed give his whole heart and soul to serve as the president of the Church for as long as the Lord sees fit to have him there. He is the same age as President Nelson was when he became the president of the Church, and let’s hope that we also get at least another 7 years with President Oaks as the leader of the Church. The story from his biography that stood out most to me was a simple one, but one which speaks volumes. He was in a car that his grandson was driving, on their way to southern Utah on the freeway. He was reading when he suddenly told his grandson to slow down, which he did. Very soon after that they encountered an unexpected child they hadn’t seen but who would have been hit if they hadn’t slowed down. I think we can expect from him a firm commitment to hear and hearken to the voice of the Lord, no matter what He tells his new prophet to do.

                One of his most famous talks in general conference was given 25 years ago and was titled, The Challenge to Become. In it he said, “In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.” He continued, “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.” Although it may seem that there is much to do trying to live the gospel, ultimately what is most important is who we are becoming. The actions we take, such as reading the scriptures, praying, worshipping in the temple, partaking of the sacrament, fasting, etc. are not just things to check off a list; they are the means by which we seek to have our hearts and minds changed to become more like Jesus Christ. Our ultimate goal in this life should be to become even as He is. This is what the Savior declared to the Nephites: “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27). I know that President Oaks has sought to become like the Savior throughout his service, and as we seek to follow his counsel, he will help us to do the same in our own lives.

                Ultimately, President Oaks’ most important role is to be a witness for Jesus Christ. I know that he will continue to do that as he has already done for many years. In his first talk as an apostle—more than four decades ago—he said this: “I will devote my whole heart, might, mind, and strength to the great trusts placed in me, especially to the responsibilities of a special witness of the name of Jesus Christ in all the world.… I know that God expects us to work to purify our hearts and our thoughts so that we may serve one another for the highest and best reason, the pure love of Christ. Most of all, I know that God lives, and I know that his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, died for our sins and is our Savior. And I know that God has restored the fulness of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith in these latter days.” Neither that witness of Jesus Christ nor his whole-hearted devotion to the Lord has changed since then, I know that will continue into the future as he helps us to become as the Savior would have us become.