true disciple essay

Becoming a True Disciple

By Elder Daniel L. Johnson

Of the Seventy

As we obey His commandments and serve our fellowmen, we become better disciples of Jesus Christ.

Those of us who have entered into the waters of baptism and received the gift of the Holy Ghost have covenanted that we are willing to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, or in other words, we declare ourselves to be disciples of the Lord. We renew that covenant each week as we partake of the sacrament, and we demonstrate that discipleship by the way that we live. Such discipleship was beautifully demonstrated in recent events in Mexico.

It had been a beautiful spring for the fruit-growing communities in northern Mexico. The fruit trees were in full bloom, and expectations were high for a bounteous harvest. Plans were already being made to pay off loans, replace needed equipment and aging orchards, and meet personal commitments such as school tuition for family members. Plans were even being made for family vacations. There was a general air of optimism. Then, on a Monday afternoon in late March, a winter storm moved in, and it began to snow. It snowed until about three o’clock in the morning. Then, as the clouds moved out, the temperature plummeted. Throughout the night and early morning, every effort was made to save at least a part of the fruit crop. It was all to no avail. It simply got too cold, and the crop was totally frozen. There would be no fruit to be harvested and sold this year. Tuesday dawned with the sickening and disheartening loss of all those wonderful plans, expectations, and dreams of just the day before.

I received an email regarding that terrible Tuesday morning from Sandra Hatch, the wife of John Hatch, then-first counselor in the presidency of the Colonia Juárez Chihuahua Temple. I quote portions of that email: “John got up early—about 6:30—to run up to the temple to see if we should cancel the session this morning. He came back saying that the parking lot and road were clear, so we decided to go ahead. We figured that maybe some of the workers who didn’t have orchards would come, and we could put all the workers into the session. … It was so inspiring to see the men come in, one after another. There they were, after no sleep at all, and figuring their crops were lost. … I was watching them during our preparation meeting, and they were having a hard time staying awake. But instead of figuring they had a good excuse to not come, they were there. And there were 38 people in the session (a full session)! It was an uplifting morning for us, and we thanked Heavenly Father for good people who do their duty, no matter what happens. I felt a special spirit there this morning. I am sure He was pleased to know that we love His house and felt that it was a good place to be on such a difficult morning.”

The story does not end there and in fact is still ongoing.

Most of those who lost their fruit crop had some land available on which to plant alternative crops for the season, such as chili peppers or beans. These crops could provide at least some cash flow sufficient to survive on until next year’s fruit crop. However, there was one good brother with a young family who did not have additional land and was facing a year with no revenue at all. Others in the community, seeing the dire situation of this brother and acting on their own initiative and expense, arranged for a piece of property, used their own equipment to prepare the land, and provided the chili plants for him to plant.

I know the men about whom I have just spoken. Knowing them, I was not surprised at what they did. But those who do not know them will probably be asking two questions, both beginning with the word why. Why would they come to the temple to perform their duties and to serve after having been up all night long, only to realize that they had lost the greater part of their revenue for the whole year? Why would they use what were now scarce and very precious resources to help another in desperate need when they themselves were now in such dire financial straits?

If you understand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, then you will know the answer to these two questions.

Making the covenant to be a disciple of Christ is the beginning of a lifelong process, and the path is not always easy. As we repent of our sins and strive to do what He would have us do and serve our fellowmen as He would serve them, we will inevitably become more like Him. Becoming like Him and being one with Him is the ultimate goal and objective—and essentially the very definition of true discipleship.

As the Savior asked His disciples when He visited the American continent, “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?” And then, answering His own question, He said, “Verily I say unto you, even as I am” ( 3 Nephi 27:27 ).

Becoming as the Savior is not an easy task, especially in the world in which we live. We face obstacles and adversity virtually every day of our lives. There is a reason for this, and it is one of the primary purposes of mortality. As we read in Abraham 3:25 , “And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.”

These tests or trials vary in nature and intensity. But no one will leave this mortal existence without passing through them. Mostly, we picture trials as the loss of a crop or a job; the death of a loved one; illness; physical, mental, or emotional incapacitation; poverty; or loss of friends. However, even the attainment of seemingly worthwhile objectives can bring their own dangers of unhelpful pride, where we aspire more to the honors of men than the approbation of heaven. These may include worldly popularity, public recognition, physical prowess, artistic or athletic talent, prosperity, and riches. Regarding these latter trials, some of us may have feelings similar to those expressed by Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof: If riches are a curse, “may [God] smite me with it. And may I never recover!” 1

But these latter types of trials may be even more daunting and dangerous and more difficult to overcome than the former. Our discipleship will be developed and proven not by the type of trials that we are faced with but how we endure them. As we have been taught by President Henry B. Eyring: “So, the great test of life is to see whether we will hearken to and obey God’s commands in the midst of the storms of life. It is not to endure storms, but to choose the right while they rage. And the tragedy of life is to fail in that test and so fail to qualify to return in glory to our heavenly home” (“Spiritual Preparedness: Start Early and Be Steady,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2005, 38).

I am the proud grandfather of 23 grandchildren. They never cease to amaze me with their grasp of eternal truths, even in their very early and tender years. As I was preparing for this talk, I asked each of them to send me a very brief definition of what it meant to them to be a disciple or a follower of Jesus Christ. I received wonderful answers from all of them. But I would like to share with you this response from eight-year-old Benjamin: “Being a disciple of Jesus Christ means being an example. It means being a missionary and preparing to be a missionary. It means to serve others. It means you read the scriptures and say your prayers. It means you keep the Sabbath day holy. It means you listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. It means going to church and going to the temple.”

I agree with Benjamin. Discipleship is all about doing and becoming. As we obey His commandments and serve our fellowmen, we become better disciples of Jesus Christ. Obedience and submission to His will bring the companionship of the Holy Ghost, along with those blessings of peace, joy, and security that always accompany this third member of the Godhead. And they can come in no other way. Ultimately, it is total submission to His will that helps us become as our Savior is. Again, becoming like Him and being one with Him is the ultimate goal and objective—and essentially the very definition of true discipleship.

Discipleship is what I saw being practiced in the Colonia Juárez Temple and in its nearby fields as brothers and sisters in the faith reaffirmed their commitments to God and to each other despite heartrending adversity.

I testify that as we obey His commandments, serve others, and submit our will to His will, we will, indeed, become His true disciples. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

What Does it Mean to Be a Disciple of Christ?

Being a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ means to learn from Him and to stay close to Him. These two requirements were essential for Christ’s disciples then, and likewise are necessary for followers of Christ today.

When Christ called His first disciples He simply said, “Follow Me.”

These humble fishermen responded by leaving their careers, their possessions, and even their families to follow Him ( Matthew 4:18-22 ).

A parallel passage in Luke 5:1-11 uses the phrase “they forsook all” as they began this new journey with Jesus. The word “forsake” literally means that they turned their back on their former lives. It implies a choice and a commitment.

This wasn’t just a part-time project for them where they could change their minds in a few days and go back to their profession as fishermen. They left everything — and by doing so they were making a promise to complete the course and finish this new assignment.

By agreeing to follow Jesus they consented to be His students or His learners in the Jewish method of a Rabbinical school of discipleship. They recognized Him as a teacher and a leader, and they made this commitment to be His disciples.

What Does it Mean to ‘Follow’ Jesus?

It’s interesting to note that the first directive that Jesus ever said to His disciple Peter, was “follow Me” ( Matthew 4:19 ), and the last thing that Jesus said to Peter was also, “follow Me” ( John 21:22 ).

Although these two mandates seem identical in the English language, they are actually quite different. Christ used two distinct phrases intentionally and Peter certainly understood the profound distinction between them.

Christ’s first command, “Follow Me” ( Matthew 4:19 ) was forceful and very persuasive. Peter, and the other fishermen, understood what He meant. The Lord was formally and powerfully directing Peter and the others to become His students.

By leaving their past behind, these four disciples were making a commitment to learn from Jesus. They recognized Him as a teacher, a Rabbi, and were willing to dedicate themselves to becoming His official pupils. In a sense, Christ was saying, “I want you to learn from Me.”

The Lord’s last directive to Peter seemed like more of a request or a plea. Jesus has just finished an important conversation with this blustery former fisherman where Christ had asked Peter three times if he loved Him ( John 21:15-19 ).

That motivating, confrontational, and personal conversation was coming to its conclusion when Peter turned around and saw the Apostle John following them ( John 21:20 ). Perhaps John was eavesdropping on their discussion or perhaps he too wanted some alone time with Jesus, but for whatever reason Peter used this occasion to try to redirect the Lord’s pointed and convicting questions to someone else.

Peter looked at John and then said to the Lord, “What about him?”

It’s here where Jesus gives this last word of instruction to Peter. In today’s vernacular, Jesus responded, “It doesn’t matter about anyone else, you follow Me.”

This last command sounds like the first, but His tone and intent is much different. Here, with love, compassion, and purpose the Lord is saying, “Peter, you stay close to Me. Don’t worry about anyone else. I want you to stay close to Me.”

These two bookend commands clearly articulate the genius of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. His followers were expected to learn from Him. He wanted them to be students, to be eager pupils who desired to soak in everything He could possibly teach them.

But He also wanted them to stay close to Him to learn by following His example. Christ wanted his disciples to be motivated by their love for Him to follow His pattern and to model themselves after Him.

What is a Disciple of Jesus?

To be a disciple, I think, at the most basic sense, is to be a follower of Christ. I think the idea of discipleship that Jesus left us with is to be a whole-hearted follower of Christ. We grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ through the renewing of our minds. We have a new heart, we have the Holy Spirit within us, and by God's grace, He has given us this revelation. 

2 Peter 3 helps us to see through the knowledge of who God is, through the knowledge of the salvation that He's given to us, through knowledge of the promises He's given to us. By faith in God, by faith in his promises, our minds are renewed as we know Him more and more. We're growing in the knowledge of Christ, we're growing in understanding of the promises, we're growing in understanding of grace that allows us to trust Him more and more.

Practical Implications of Being a Disciple of Jesus

Being a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ means to learn from Him and to stay close to Him. These two imperatives are the very core of true discipleship. These two requirements were essential for Christ’s disciples then — and likewise are necessary for followers of Christ today.

How to Learn from Christ?

1. Christ’s disciples learned from Him by listening carefully to His teaching.  The teaching ministry of Christ was one of the most important aspects of His earthly ministry. It is interesting to note that immediately upon calling His first disciples, they followed Him throughout Galilee listening to Him “teaching” and “preaching” ( Matthew 4:23 ).

In fact, Christ’s most familiar sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, was presented soon after He instructed Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him. Obviously, the Lord’s teaching ministry was one of the most important aspects of how He discipled His followers.

Was Jesus Raised from the Dead?

Christ’s final mandate to His 12 disciples also included an emphasis upon teaching. In Matthew 28:19-20 , Jesus says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.”

Teaching and preaching have almost become blasé in today’s church environment. It was just a few years ago when believers gathered several times each week to participate in a variety of educational ministries of the church that featured lectures — the public presentation of biblical truth.

Now, many churches only offer one unique message each week; although some churches offer multiple services, they usually offer the same message in each service. It seems as if the proclamation of Scripture is no longer the priority it once was.

Christ emphasized teaching then — and He expects teaching to be a priority for His disciples today. These followers of Jesus were learners, pupils, or students. Christ-followers today must be all those things as well. Learning from Christ today means hearing, listening to, studying, and applying the written Word of God.

2. Christ’s disciples learned from Him by willingly doing what He said.  There is a second important aspect of Christ’s teaching ministry that He continually emphasized with His disciples. He expected His followers to put what He taught them into practice in their lives. He wanted His disciples to apply the truth of what He instructed — and He wants His followers to continue that today.

This principle too is included in the Great Commission, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;” ( Matthew 28:19-20 ). The word “observe” in this passage does not mean “to see” or “to look.” Rather, it means “to do” or “to implement.”

There are several other passages in the New Testament ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ; James 1:22 ) that underscore this same idea. It is obvious that Christ expects His disciples to put what He taught them into practice.

How to Stay Close to Christ?

1. Christ’s disciples stay close to Him by personally spending time in His Word.  It’s obvious from any study of Christ’s dealings with His disciples in Scripture that the key to His ministry with them was that He spent quantity and quality time with them. This principle is highlighted in passages like Mark 3:14 , where it says, “…that they might be with Him…” The key to discipleship was the opportunity to get close to the teacher.

After Jesus’ resurrection , His followers gathered on that hillside in Palestine to watch as He ascended back into heaven. The Lord took that opportunity to give them one more set of instructions ( Matthew 28:19-20 ), but He also gives them an amazing message of encouragement, “…I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

His earthly disciples realized that He was about to leave them to return to His Heavenly Father; but in this last time together, He helped them to understand that because He was God, they could actually be with Him for the rest of their lives.

It’s so important for Christ’s disciples today to understand this important truth as well. Being a disciple of Christ means spending time with Him. Even though Jesus is not physically present today, His followers can stay close to Him by spending time in His Word.

2. Christ’s disciples stay close to Him by making prayer a top priority.  There was one other essential ingredient in Christ’s ministry with His followers — He prayed ( Luke 9:18 ), He taught them to pray ( Luke 11:1-4 ), and He expected them to pray ( Luke 22:39-46 ).

God Himself established prayer as a way for Christ-followers to communicate directly with All-mighty God ( Hebrews 4:14-16 ). Prayer proves that His disciples are dependent upon Him — and true disciples of Christ will be characterized by a vibrant prayer life.

Why Does This Matter?

Christ expects His disciples to follow Him — to learn from Him and to stay close to Him. That’s what He wanted from His followers during His earthly ministry and that is what He wants from His disciples today.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/kevron2001

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