By Kira Farnsworth
Elder William W. Parmley exhorted Latter-day Saints to follow the example of Jesus Christ in every aspect of their lives.
'We are disciples of Jesus Christ,' he said. 'In the words of Nephi, ''We believe in Christ, we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ.'' To believers everywhere, the three most powerful behavioral words he spoke were, ''Come follow me.'''
To follow Christ, Elder Parmley said to develop Christ-like qualities like love, meekness, humility, compassion, thirsting after righteousness and being pure in heart. He admonished church members to follow Christ''s powerful example by offering frequent, long and heartfelt prayers.
He also encouraged members to follow Christ by showing charity.
'Our love for the Savior must be accompanied by action,' Elder Parmley said. 'Christ taught the importance of having charity for everyone when he commanded, ''Love thy neighbor as thyself.'''
Elder Parmley said that as church members see the homeless and destitute, they should remember not to be speculative or judgmental of their situation, but rather to remember the parable of the Good Samaritan and act as the Lord would act.
'Before we pass by like the Levite and the Priest, let us consider the admonition of the Savior to ''Come follow me,''' he said.
Elder Parmley reminded members that Christ was also homeless, with only the clothes on his back and that his was often hungry.
'What would he do?' Elder Parmley asked. 'There is no question what he would do. He would show mercy and minister unto them. Remember that the poor will always be with us.'
Elder Parmley concluded by reminding the Latter-day Saints to be Christ-like by never judging others, but to 'do unto our neighbor as we would have them do unto us.'
'The admonition to ''come follow me,'' and the question, ''what would Jesus do,'' provide powerful guidelines for living,' Elder Parmley said.