Mission Prep Class: Lesson 9: Developing Christlike Attributes

Missionary Preparation Class
Lesson 9
Developing Christlike
Attributes
www.LatterDaySaintMissionPrep.com
Welcome to Our
Lesson 9: Developing Christlike
Attributes

Lesson 9
Attributes
About the Class Instructor
• My name is Jimmy Smith
• Founder of Latter-day Saint Mission Prep website
• I live in Texas in the United States
• I served my mission to Argentina, 1995-1997

Lesson 9
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About this Mission Prep Class
• Following the Church’s
Missionary Preparation
Teacher Manual
• Teaching my two teenage
children and record the
lessons for others to enjoy
• This video, my website, and
other content I create is
NOT a publication of The
Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints

Lesson 9
Attributes
Before We Begin: Make Sure You
Have a Way to Take Notes

Lesson 9
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Review of Previous Lessons
The Missionary Purpose—to Invite Others to
Come Unto Christ
Lesson 1:
Our Need for the Atonement of Jesus Christ
Lesson 2:
Learning and Teaching by the Spirit of God
Lesson 3-4:
The Role of the Book of Mormon in
Missionary Work
Lesson 5:
Preparing for Life as a Missionary
Lesson 6:
Teaching the Message of the Restoration
Lesson 7-8:

Lesson 9
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Introduction: Today’s Lesson:
Developing Christlike Attributes
• Missionaries should strive to become more like Christ
• As they do, they will have more power in their invitations
• Learn and follow how He lived, behaved, and taught
• Better servant of God and others during our
missions/lives
• The Savior taught: “What manner of men ought ye to be?
Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” (3 Ne 27:27)
Image from the Gospel
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churchofjesuschrist.org

Lesson 9
Attributes
Personal List I Made of 103
Characteristics of Christ
•Accepting •Advocate •Alive
•All
Knowing
•Anointed •Bold •Brave •Brotherly •Charitable •Cheerful •Clean
•Compassio
nate
•Confident •Conscience
•Considerat
e
•Consoling •Courteous •Dedicated •Diligent •Disciplined •Divine •Dutiful
•Easy
•Economica
l
•Educationa
l
•Emotional
•Encouragin
g
•Equity •Eternal •Exact •Faithful •Familial •Fatherly
•Forgiving •Friendly •Fulfilled •Generous •Gentle •Glorious
•Goal
Oriented
•Godliness •Good •Gracious •Grateful
•Guiding
the way
•Helpful
•High
Above Us
•Holy •Honest •Hopeful •Humble
•Intellectua
l
•Joyous •Just •Kind
•Knowledge
able
•Living
•Longsuffer
ing
•Loving •Meek •Merciful
•Non-
judging
•Obedient
•Omnipote
nt
•Optimistic •Organized
•Passionate •Patient •Peaceful •Peculiar •Plain •Powerful •Prayerful •Prepared •Pure •Purposeful
•Redemptiv
e
•Relevant
•Responsibl
e
•Reverent •Righteous •Sacrificial •Sensitive •Serving •Simple •Spiritual
•Straightfor
ward
•Strict
•Strong •Submissive •Teachable
•Temperan
ce
•Thoughtful •Tolerant
•Trustwort
hy
•Truthful
•Unchangin
g
•Understan
ding
•Unified
•Uniform •Unselfish •Virtue •Wise

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As Followers of Christ, We Should
Strive to Be Like Christ
Scriptures commanding us to be Like Christ are
numerous. Here are just a few:
• John 13: 15 “For I have given you an example, that ye
should do as I have done to you.”
• 3 Nephi 12: 48 “Therefore I would that ye should be
perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is
perfect.”
• 3 Ne 27: 21 “For the works which ye have seen me
do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen
me do even that shall ye do”
• 1 Peter 2: 21 “For even hereunto were ye called:
because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps”

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Christlike Attributes—the Wind
beneath Our Wings
• “Christlike attributes are gifts from God.
They cannot be developed without His
help. The one help we all need is given to
us freely through the Atonement of Jesus
Christ. Having faith in Jesus Christ and in
His Atonement means relying completely
on Him—trusting in His infinite power,
intelligence, and love. Christlike attributes
come into our lives as we exercise our
agency righteously. … In seeking to
become more like the Savior, we need to
reevaluate our lives regularly and rely,
through the path of true repentance,
upon the merits of Jesus Christ and the
blessings of His Atonement” (Dieter F.
Uchtdorf, Ensign, Nov. 2005)

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Mormon Taught about How to
Become Like Jesus Christ
• “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it
endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it
at the last day, it shall be well with him.”
• “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the
Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be
filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all
who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that
ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall
appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as
he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be
purified even as he is pure. Amen.”
• Moroni 7: 47-48

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Questions to Discuss/Ponder
• What does prayer and repentance have to do with
developing Christlike attributes?
• Everyone should be like Christ, but why is it
particularly important for missionaries?
Go Ye Therefore and
Teach All Nations by
Harry Anderson

Lesson 9
Attributes
The Importance of Christlike
Attributes for Missionaries
• As we read the following quotes, be thinking about:
• Why is it important to be Christlike?
• What attributes will make me a more powerful
and effective missionary?
• Which attribute do I most need to develop?
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Lesson 9
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Seek Christlike Attributes and Help
Others Achieve this Goal Too
• “The Lord has also called you to His work, and He invites
you to follow Him. The invitation to follow Christ is an
invitation to follow His example and to become like Him.”
• “The Savior has shown the way. He has set the perfect
example, and He commands us to become as He is. Learn
of Him and seek to incorporate His attributes into your
life. Through the power of His Atonement, you can
achieve this goal and lead others to achieve it also.”
• “Christlike attributes are gifts from God. They come as
you use your agency righteously. Ask your Heavenly
Father to bless you with these attributes; you cannot
develop them without His help.”
• from Preach My Gospel manual

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D&C 4 Gives Qualifications for
Missionaries—Christlike Attributes
1. Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth
among the children of men.
2. Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that
ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength,
that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
3. Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to
the work;
4. For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he
that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth
up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to
his soul;
5. And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the
glory of God, qualify him for the work.
6. Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience,
brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.
7. Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto
you. Amen.

Lesson 9
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• What are the Christlike
attributes mentioned in D&C
4?
• Faith, hope, charity, love, virtue,
patience, kindness, humility,
diligence, and many more
• What does it mean to have an
eye single to the glory of God?
• If Christlike attributes are gifts
of God, can we and should we
strive to obtain them?
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Lesson 9
Attributes
“Preach the gospel at all times and
if necessary, use words”
• From Dieter F. Uchtdorf sharing a quote that
is often attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi
(Ensign, May 2011)
• How can we preach the gospel
without using words?
• How can demonstrating
Christlike attributes make you a
better missionary?

Lesson 9
Attributes
Ammon Demonstrated Christ-like
Qualities on His Lamanite Mission
• Recap of story of Ammon’s
mission to the Lamanites
• As we read the following
scripture verses, pay attend
to the Christlike qualities that
Ammon exhibited
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Lesson 9
Attributes
How Did Ammon Demonstrated
Christ-like Qualities?
• Alma 17: 23 And Ammon said unto him: Yea, I desire
to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and
perhaps until the day I die.
• 24 And it came to pass that king Lamoni was much
pleased with Ammon, and caused that his bands
should be loosed; and he would that Ammon should
take one of his daughters to wife.
• 25 But Ammon said unto him: Nay, but I will be thy
servant. Therefore Ammon became a servant to king
Lamoni. And it came to pass that he was set among
other servants to watch the flocks of Lamoni.
Unity
Friendship
Service

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Attributes
• Alma 17: 29 Now they wept because of the fear of
being slain. Now when Ammon saw this his heart
was swollen within him with joy; for, said he, I will
show forth my power unto these my fellow-servants,
or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks
unto the king, that I may win the hearts of these my
fellow-servants, that I may lead them to believe in
my words.
• 31 And it came to pass that he flattered them by his
words, saying: My brethren, be of good cheer and let
us go in search of the flocks, and we will gather them
together and bring them back unto the place of
water; and thus we will preserve the flocks unto the
king and he will not slay us.
Empathy
Helpful
Persuasive
Faith
Leadership
Cheerful
Hard Working
Hopeful

Lesson 9
Attributes
• Alma 17: 35) They stood to scatter the flocks of the
king. 36) But Ammon stood forth and began to cast
stones at them with his sling; yea, with mighty power
he did sling stones amongst them; and thus he slew a
certain number of them insomuch that they began to
be astonished at his power; nevertheless they were
angry because of the slain of their brethren, and they
were determined that he should fall.
Skillful
Powerful
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Lesson 9
Attributes
• Alma 18: 8) And it came to pass that king Lamoni
inquired of his servants, saying: Where is this man
that has such great power? 9) And they said unto
him: Behold, he is feeding thy horses… 10) Now
when king Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing
his horses and his chariots he was more astonished,
because of the faithfulness of Ammon, saying: Surely
there has not been any servant among all my
servants that has been so faithful as this man; for
even he doth remember all my commandments to
execute them.
Faithful
Diligent
Mindful

Lesson 9
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• Ammon and his brethren served a 14-year mission and
were God’s instruments in converting thousands of souls
• How did Ammon’s attributes impact the people he was
teaching?
• What are some ways that modern missionaries could
follow Ammon’s example?
• How has someone influenced you through their Christlike
behavior?
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Lesson 9
Attributes
Manifesting Christlike attitudes and
actions toward mission
companions
• “Never permit contention in your companionships. Some
of your missionary companions will be your life’s dearest
friends. Be the kind of companion you would like to be
with. Be unselfish in your relationship with your
companions. When there is contention, the Spirit of the
Lord will depart, regardless of who is at fault. Each of us
is an individual with unique strengths and talents,
different from any other person in the world. Each of us
has weaknesses. In a harmonious companionship, there
is teamwork—where one is weak, the other is strong.”
James E. Faust, “What I Want My
Son to Know before He Leaves on
His Mission,” Ensign, May 1996

Lesson 9
Attributes
• What will happen when there is contention between
missionary companions?
• 3 Nephi 11:29 “he that hath the spirit of contention is not
of meme, but is of the devil”
• How can Christlike attributes help companions have a
more harmonious relationship?
• Why might this make missionaries more effective in
preaching the gospel?

Lesson 9
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• Story about getting along with my first companion in
Argentina, Elder Loesener

Lesson 9
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• Story about missionaries not getting along and thus
the work came to a halt in their area

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Section on Companions from the
Missionary Handbook
• “Love and respect your companions Look for good in
each companion. Find ways to serve each other.
Work together in a spirit of unity. Study together
every day. Pray together frequently throughout each
day. Talk with each other openly and frequently.
Contention will drive the Spirit away. Support your
companion’s righteous actions; do not criticize him or
her to other missionaries or members. If correction is
necessary, give it constructively, respectfully, and
privately. If your companion is struggling with the
work or in personal matters, be sensitive to those
problems and seek advice from your mission
president.”

Lesson 9
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In Conclusion: Invitation from Our
Prophet to Study the Life of Christ
“I have an invitation for you that will help—
it’s an assignment, actually—if you choose to
accept it. Commence tonight to consecrate a
portion of your time each week:
• to studying everything Jesus said and did as
recorded in the Old Testament, for He is the
Jehovah of the Old Testament.
• Study His laws as recorded in the New
Testament, for He is its Christ.
• Study His doctrine as recorded in the Book
of Mormon, for there is no book of
scripture in which His mission and His
ministry are more clearly revealed.
• And study His words as recorded in the
Doctrine and Covenants, for He continues
to teach His people in this dispensation.”
“Prophets, Leadership, and Divine Law” by Russell M. Nelson, January 8, 2017
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Lesson 9
Attributes
In Conclusion: Invitation from Our
Prophet to Study the Life of Christ
“This may seem like a large assignment,
but I encourage you to accept it. If you
proceed to learn all you can about Jesus
Christ, I promise you that your love for
Him, and for God’s laws, will grow beyond
what you currently imagine. I promise you
also that your ability to turn away from sin
will increase. Your desire to keep the
commandments will soar. You will find
yourself better able to walk away from the
entertainment and entanglements of
those who mock the followers of Jesus
Christ. To assist you, refer to the Topical
Guide for references under the topic
“Jesus Christ.”
“Prophets, Leadership, and Divine Law” by Russell M. Nelson, January 8, 2017
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Lesson 9
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Conclusion and Homework
• PMG: Christ-Like Attributes Activity
• Self-evaluation for missionaries and has a super long URL
• Try this instead: MormonMissionPrep.com/attributes
• Select one Christ-like attribute to learn more about
• Make a plan to develop it more fully in your life
• Share your plan with your parents or a trusted friend
• Church Videos to Check Out
• “Christlike Attributes” (2:54) on Church website
• “Impressions of Missionaries” (4:32) on YouTube

Lesson 9
Attributes
Thank You for Watching or Listening
• I have a testimony that these things are true
• Visit the Latter-day Saint Mission Prep Website at
• www.MormonMissionPrep.com

Mission Prep Class: Lesson 9: Developing Christlike Attributes

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Mission Prep Class: Lesson 9: Developing Christlike Attributes

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