(1/19/01)
"In the final analysis, then, we show our devotion to Christ, and best express our discipleship, by the way in which we live and serve Him. The symbol of Jesus and His place in our hearts must be a life given fully to His service, to loving and caring; to an unstinting commitment to Christ and His cause; to a spiritual rebirth that produces a 'mighty change' in our hearts and prepares us to receive 'his image in [our] countenances' (Alma 5:13-14)." - Alexander B. Morrison, "For This Cause Came I into the World," Ensign, November 1999, p. 27

(6/01/04)
"But this road of discipleship which we are considering here is not easy. It requires sturdy, all-weather souls who are constant in every season of life and who are not easily stalled or thrown off course. Likewise, even with this accurate view of the mortal experience we still need time and the wise use of our moral agency. We still need God's long-suffering to help us. We need all of these combined in order to gain experience in life. Amid this ongoing process, you and I can actually come to know for ourselves, like Alma of old, who 'fasted and prayed many days that I might know' that these immortal principles are true (Alma 5:46)." - Neal A. Maxwell, "The Pathway of Discipleship," Ensign, September 1998, p. 7

(10/6/04)
"True disciples are those who go beyond simply believing. They act out their belief. Said the Savior, 'If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself' (John 7:17). Disciples follow the Divine Master. Their actions speak in symphonic harmony with their beliefs. They know who they are. They know what God expects of them. They mirror inner peace and certainty concerning the mission and resurrection of Christ. They hunger and thirst after righteousness. They know they are here on this earth for a purpose. They understand life after death. They believe that the transcendent event in the ministry of the Christ was the Atonement, culminating in the Resurrection." - James E. Faust, "In the Strength of the Lord: The Life and Teachings of James E. Faust," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1999], p. 290-291

(10/17/04)
"Considering all that Jesus is and all he does for us, what should we be doing to show our appreciation? We should go far beyond knowing about Jesus and about his attributes and mission. We should come to 'know... the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent' (John 17:3). 'It is one thing to know about God and another to know him. We know about him when we learn that he is a personal being in whose image man is created; when we learn that the Son is in the express image of his Father's person; when we learn that both the Father and the Son possess certain [specific] attributes and powers. But we know them, in the sense of gaining eternal life, when we enjoy and experience the same things they do. To know God is to think what he thinks, to feel what he feels, to have the power he possesses, to comprehend the truths he understands, and to do what he does. Those who know God become like him, and have his kind of life, which is eternal life.' (Bruce R. McConkie, 'Doctrinal New Testament Commentary,' 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965-73, 1:762.) In other words, to possess a knowledge of Christ, we must become as he is. We become 'partakers of the divine nature' (2 Pet. 1:4). He instructed his Nephite disciples: 'What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am' (3 Ne. 27:27)." - Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Our Lord and Savior," Ensign, Nov. 1993, p. 7

(6/29/05)
"The gospel's rich and true doctrines combine to constitute a call to a new and more abundant life, but this is a lengthy process. It requires much time, experiencing the relevant learning experiences, the keeping of covenants, and the receiving of the essential ordinances—all in order to spur us along the discipleship path of personal progression. In the journey of discipleship, we lose our old selves. The natural man and the natural woman are 'put off,' and then we find ourselves become more saintly (see Mosiah 3:19). One sees such saintliness all about him in the Church—quiet, good women and men, not particularly concerned with status, who are becoming saintly. This is what should be happening in the lives of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." - Neal A. Maxwell, "Becoming a Disciple," Ensign, June 1996, 15

(11/12/05)
"It is not enough for us to know what is right and to believe it is good. We must be willing to stand up and be counted. We must be willing to act in accordance with what we believe under all circumstances. It is of little value for us to believe one way if we behave contrary to that belief in our private actions or in our public performance." - Dean L. Larsen, "Faith, Courage, and Making Choices," Ensign (CR), November 1978, p.34

10/14/06
"What is discipleship? It is primarily obedience to the Savior. Discipleship includes many things. It is chastity. It is tithing. It is family home evening. It is keeping all the commandments. It is forsaking anything that is not good for us. Everything in life has a price. Considering the Savior's great promise for peace in this life and eternal life in the life to come, discipleship is a price worth paying. It is a price we cannot afford not to pay. By measure, the requirements of discipleship are much, much less than the promised blessings." - James E. Faust, "Discipleship," Ensign, November 2006

12/29/06
"So it is a challenge to us all to be thoroughly prepared when we undertake anything in life to carry through to a successful conclusion and in conformity with our plans. In this connection, I would like to call your attention to other instructions which the Savior gave in connection with this parable: 'Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.' (Luke 14:27) And again, 'No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.' (Luke 9:62) Therefore, when we undertake to put our hands to the plow as disciples of the Lord, Jesus Christ, we must count the cost, and prepare ourselves to go forward throughout our lives in his service if we expect to gain the blessings and benefits which come from membership in his Church, and adherence to his principles, as they have been revealed unto us." - Sylvester Q. Cannon, "Conference Report," October 1937, Afternoon Meeting, p.47