book review: the power to become

As followers of Christ, our desire is to become like Him. In fact, we have been commanded to do so. But how? 

In Power to Become, Elder David A. Bednar explores how the Savior makes possible His divine commission, "Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect" (3 Nephi 12:48).

Chapters in this thought-provoking book highlight the importance of the Atonement, the spiritual gift of personal peace, the importance of priesthood ordinances, and the responsibility owe have to obey willingly and endure valiantly.

"As we increase in learning about the Savior and His gospel, Elder Bednar writes, "as we strive with ever greater consistency to act in His doctrine, ordinances, and covenants, then we are blessed with power through His Atonement to increasingly become like Him." Power to Become introduces vital tools we all can use to invite these eternally significant blessings into our lives. 

This was the perfect book to read at the beginning of the year! Right when everyone is making resolutions and reflecting on the past year and what they can do better. At our book club discussion, we were talking about how there wasn't a ton of new information in the book but how the whole book was filled with little reminders that we so often need.

Something that really stuck out to me was about OBEDIENCE. He talked about how it's one thing to perform the outward actions of obedience and obey the institution, public, and shared commandments, but a greater thing to respond to the individual, private, and personally revealed commandments. I have definitely seen this in my own life when I have been increasingly righteous and the Lord has revealed personal things for me to do even better so that I can become something greater.

I also loved the reminder that the Holy Ghost is the true teacher and that our responsibility as teachers of the gospel is to preach by the spirit and then the responsibility falls on the students to let the spirit enter their hearts and act on their learning.

Elder Bednar has two other books that he wrote before this one, Increase in Learning and Act in Doctrine. I am looking forward to reading the other two and putting all of insight into practice in my own life!