The Character of Christ

I had an awesome opportunity today to watch an address by Elder Bednar from an MTC Christmas Devotional a couple years ago or so as part of some teacher training we did this week in the Tagalog area at the MTC. He focused on the character of Jesus Christ, and the spiritual promptings and revelations I was blessed to receive truly changed me in an incredibly significant way. He explained that the character of Christ is very simply turning out in love, compassion, and service when the natural man in each of us would want to selfishly turn in and focus on ourselves rather than others. Now, I don't think I could ever share everything I learned from the spirit as I watched the talk simply because there was so much, but I would like to share with all of you an invitation that Elder Bednar extended that I have decided to accept and make a personal goal. At the end of his message, he suggested that each of the missionaries in the audience buy a cheap copy of the Book of Mormon and read and study it while pondering and praying about a specific question they had about the character of Christ and the doctrines of His Gospel. As soon as I left the MTC, I went home to grab my wallet and then went straight to the distribution center to buy a copy of the Book of Mormon to start that endeavor instantly. I hope that as I study and treasure up in my mind and heart the revelations I will undoubtedly receive through acting upon Elder Bednar's invitation, I will better understand the character and Atonement of Christ. As a result of that increased understanding, I also hope I will be further enabled to more fully take upon myself the name of Christ by striving to attain the spiritual gifts and attributes that make Christ who and what he is. I haven't thought of a question to focus on during my studies, but will go forth having faith that the Lord will direct me in the way I should go.

P.S. Elder Bednar shared this quote from Elder Maxwell that I thought you would all enjoy... "There would have been no atoning sacrifice without the character of Christ." Any thoughts concerning it?