Becoming Complete in Christ Explained

The following is a brief description of what the key principles to helping each of us achieve self-reliance. That is self-reliance with the partnership of the Lord.


First from Moroni we learn: “Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

“And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.”—Moroni (10-3-4)

Then from Paul we learn: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

 Nay, in all these things we are amore than conquerors through him that loved us.

 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”—Paul (Romans 8:35-39)

Coming to Christ is for everyone, we all are eligible if we work at it. The following now is a way I have found helpful when thinking about coming to Christ. I hope you find it helpful as well.





No we will move through each area.

Man is a combination of thoughts (Proverbs 23:7; 2 Nephi 9:39; D&C 121:45), feelings (D&C 9:8), and actions (Prov 20:11; Alma 37:36; 2 Nephi 2:16; 10:32; Alma 12:31). Ultimately these three make up his being.

Think about yourself, are you not a combination of these three simple things? Is there a part of who you are that cannot be classified as a thought, feeling or action?

Not only do I believe that man is a combination of these three but they are inseparably connected to each other. Thoughts impact feelings and actions; so to do actions impact thoughts and feelings; and finally feelings can impact actions and thoughts.



Man has been given agency or the ability to choose his thoughts, feelings, and actions. (2 Nephi 2:27; Deut. 11:26-28; 30:15-20; Joshua 24:14-15; 2 Nephi 2; Helaman 14:30-31; Moroni 7:15-19; D&C 58: 26-28; 101:78; Moses 4:3-4)

This would imply that there are both good thoughts, feelings ,and actions (Gen 3:5; 1 Kings 3:9; Ps. 34:14; Amos 5:14-15; Romans 12:9; 2 Thes. 2:17; Alma 5:40; Alma 41:14)  and bad thoughts, feelings, and actions (Gen 8:21; Ps. 141:4; Prov. 31:21; 16:27; Isa. 1:16; 59:7; Matt 6:23; 9:4; 15:19)  and that one could exercise his agency in choosing. Man is not capable of doing both at the same time. He must either be thinking good or bad thoughts. The same is true for feelings and actions.





Man is not entirely alone in the thoughts, feelings, and actions he experiences in this life. Other agents both positive (John14:26; Hel 5:30, 46; D&C 85:6) and negative (Mosiah 3:6; 2 Nephi 28:22) can and do act upon him. Man can be acted upon for good or for ill. Sometimes man is acted upon for ill in spite of making good choices. In these cases man is still accountable for how he responds with his thoughts, feelings, and actions. In addition to outside agents that can influence us there is an internal struggle each of us face between the man of god and the natural man each of us is born with. The natural man’s influence is different for each of us but generally speaking the natural man is carnally minded, sensual/lustful, and prone to devilish vices. This internal conflict is often a major obstacle to maintaining good thoughts, feelings, and actions.  The man born of God at his core is prone to truth/light, pure love, and righteous actions/service.


Man is accountable before Heavenly Father and His irrevocable laws (D&C 130:18-21; 82:10; Jer. 26:4; Mosiah 5:13; Alma 37:36-37). These laws determine the outcomes of his chosen thoughts, feelings, and actions. Choose wisely and growth, happiness and wisdom are a result. Choose unwisely and retraction, unhappiness and ignorance are a result. Because we cannot suspend entirely our thoughts, feelings, and actions we are always either moving closer of further from Heavenly Father at any given moment. There really is no grey area or standing still. (Matt 6:24; Alma 5:39-42) Not only do celestial laws govern outcomes of a given thought, feeling, or action but ultimately Heavenly Father himself requires each of us to be perfect in our thoughts, feelings, and actions. No one can return to live with him without first meeting that standard.  Perfection in thoughts, feelings, and actions is the requirement. (Gen 17:1; 1Kgs 8:61; Ps.18:30; Matt 5:48; 3 Ne. 12:48; Col 4:12; 2 Tim 3:17; Heb 12:23; D&C 1:31)


Our challenge is we simply aren’t capable of meeting that standard under our own power. We are not perfect no matter how hard we try. (Rom 3:23; 1Kgs 8:46; 2 Chr. 6:36; Eccl. 7:20) We frequently have negative, thoughts, feelings and actions that bring pain, suffering and often terrible consequences.  Some pain and suffering comes as result of others poor choices. In both cases it should be made clear that though perfection of thought, feeling and action are required, under our own power is not possible in this life to meet that standard 100% of the time. So if you take into account everything that is stacked against us it can become very discouraging very quickly. First, we are the sum of our thoughts, feelings and actions. Second, we are given agency to choose. Third we are asked to choose the good over the evil, which also means there is no other third alternative, it is only a choice between good and bad. Fourth, we have outside forces enticing us to be bad or chose unwisely. Fifth, we are given our physical bodies and all the desires our natural man is prone to. Sixth and finally, Heavenly Father requires that we handle our thoughts, feelings and actions perfectly or we can’t return to live with him.

This is the point in most our lives that we begin to struggle mightily.(Hel 5:12; D&C 90:5) When we realize how much is stacked against us we begin to slip below the line. When we are bombarded on every side and there seems to be no respite from the storm we begin to have victim type attitudes that bind us to our problems. Addictions and vices seem insurmountable, forgiving and challenges of the heart are near impossible to deal with, and destructive intellectualism lead us unwillingly down darkened paths.

If this was the end of the story we would all be entirely justified in doing, thinking, and feeling the above. However, this isn’t the end of the story and that is the good news. God provided a way to meet His standard and overcome all that is stacked against us. This is the good news of the gospel known as the atonement of Jesus Christ. The atonement provides a way to both cover the repercussions of falling short and it enables us to find access to Christ’s infinite resources. Through covenants with Christ we become joint heirs to Christ’s perfect attributes while we work on perfecting our own. (Col 1:28; 1 Pet. 5:10; Moro. 10:32; D&C 67:13) Christ was whole and complete in thought, feeling, and action. He is the model of good thoughts, feelings, and actions. Through the making of covenants we have access to these infinite resources. We also can be forgiven for the misuse of our agency. It is also Christ’s atonement that gives us the power to forgive others in the misuse of their agency upon us. Christ’s covenant requires a few things. One, he wants us to have faith in him. Two, he wants us to repent of our bad thoughts, feelings, and actions. Three, he wants us to be baptized and then renew that covenant every Sunday with him. It is in the renewing of the covenant that forgiveness for the previous week’s bad thoughts, feelings and actions is made effective. Four, he wants us to endure to the end. Enduring to the end means continuing to try each day to have good thoughts, feelings, and actions. The wonderful thing about this new and everlasting covenant is it provides a way whereby man can be forgiven of his bad thoughts, feelings and actions on a weekly basis while also granting access to the infinite resources of the Savior in our own attempt for perfect thoughts, feelings and actions. The covenant is like a Band-Aid and training wheels in one.


Once we have an understanding of the above it becomes easier to understand cycles we find ourselves in at different times in our lives. But before we get to the cycles lets first look at an allegory:

Allegory of the three fields: 
A man had three fields. In the  first field he planted good seeds and nourished them. When the harvest came he collected in an abundance of good fruit. In the second field the man planted weeds and nourished them with as much vigor as his first field. When harvest came he gathered in weeds which were good for nothing. In the third and final field the man did nothing. After a season of neglect he went to the field and found it full of weeds which again when collected were good for nothing. The first field might be likened unto remaining above the line in the Prosperity and Accountability cycles. The second might be likened unto the Pride Cycle. The third field might be likened unto both the Victim and the Complacency cycles. 



1. The cycle of prosperity (Proverbs 10:22, 28:20; 3 Nephi 10:18; D&C 104:2, 46; 124:90; 130:20-21; Mosiah 2:24; 2:41; Hel 12:1) is a virtuous cycle where right thoughts, feelings and actions leads to blessings. The key to this cycle is what one does after receiving a blessing. If one remains humble (D&C 1:28), gives credit to the Lord and lifts others with their blessings then the cycle very well may continue. Often there are trials or adversity (D&C 58:4; 103:12) that spring up after great blessings. Again facing those trials with good thoughts, feelings and actions can keep the cycle of prosperity going. Our challenge here is remembering to remain humble. 

2. Pride Cycle: Unfortunately we often have trouble giving credit to the Lord for our blessings (D&C 38: 14; Proverbs 2:6 Psalms 24:1; Isaiah 1:3; D&C 88:41). We often attribute to the arm of the flesh (Prov 3:5; 28:26; Isa. 2:8; 2 Ne. 28:31; D&C 1:19). We likewise struggle with humility and become lifted up in pride. (Deut 8:14; Ezek 28:2; Prov 16:18; Obad. 1:3; Mal4:1; 1 Ne 22:15; 3 Ne 25:1; D&C 29:9) Ingratitude and selfishness  (D&C 104:18) are frequently the result of blessings.  As these unrighteous feelings and thoughts persist we begin to sin by ignoring the poor (PS 41:1; Prov 21:13; 22:16, Ezek. 22:29; 2 Ne. 9:30; 28:13; Alma 1:27; 5:55; 34:28; Morm 8:37) taking pride in comparing ourselves to others. This inevitably leads to cursing and destruction (Gen 21:12; Mal 2:2; D&C 58:32). The only way out of this vicious cycle of destruction is to first mentally recognize you are wrong, feeling remorse, and then make restitution. In other words the only way out is through repentance. (Ezek 18:30-31; Isa. 1:18; Mosiah 5:2; Moro 6:8; D&C 19:4) Fortunately repentance is all that is required to move back above the line and into the favor of the Lord once again. 

3. Very much related to prosperity is the cycle of accountability. (2 Ne. 2:16; 27; 10:23; Mosiah 2:21; 5:8; Alma 13:3; 30:8 Hel. 14:30; D&C 37: 58:27; 88:86)  This cycle is again marked by correct thoughts, feelings and actions. We must recognize that we are ultimately responsible for our path in this life (Second Article of Faith), we must let that ownership sink deep into our hearts, and then let that be what drives us to righteous actions. Blessings will follow. (3 Ne. 24:10) Sometimes we do make mistakes and this cycle has something to teach us about that as well. First we need to try and learn from our mistakes rather than brooding over them; examine our own hearts and take ownership of the circumstances. We then need to forgive if necessary (1 Ne. 7:21; Mosiah 26:29-31; 3 Ne 13:14-15; D&C 64:10; 98:40; Luke 15).  This cycle helps up to be fully in charge of our own lives. 



4. On the other side of the accountability cycle are both the victim cycle as well as the complacency cycle. The victim cycle often results from trails that come to us. Sometimes of our own making, sometimes through the choices of others. Here we find our selves ignoring or rationalize, blaming and denying, and resisting and hiding from responsibility (Most of 1 Ne. Laman/Lemual). This cycle almost always leads to cursing's and destruction. All along the way there are chances for change. Again the solution is the same as the Pride Cycle, humbly repent and move back above the line to the accountability cycle. 


5. The complacency cycle also results from a fall out of accountability. Here though the fall is more relaxed. Usually thoughts of apathy (Rev 3:16; Alma 5:55; 60:7) or procrastination (Alma 13:27; Hel 13:38) lead the way, soon carnal security  sets in, then indifference, fear (D&C 67:3), sluggishness (Prov. 6:6; 20:4) laziness (Prov 20:13; Mosiah 9:12; 11:6 Alma 17:15; 47:36 D&C 58:27), idleness (Prov 19:15; Eccl. 10:18; Ezek 16:49; 1 Ne. 12:23; 2 Ne. 5:24; Alma 38:12) and slothfulness (Prov 12:27; Eccl. 10:18; Matt. 25:26 Alma 37:41; 60:14; D&C 101:50) are evident. Ultimately cursing's and even destruction result. Again humble repentance is the cure to move back into accountability. The difference between the victim and complacency cycles is on of perceived blessings. Victims often see no blessings whereas those who are complacent are happy with the blessings they currently have and desire no more. 



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