What Manner?

I was sitting here for a moment expecting that this post was going to start typing itself.  It finally occurred to me that I needed to start moving my fingers.  It was a temporary lull and I am with it once again. 

What manner of men ought ye to be?  The Savior asked this question and then went on to answer it; "Verily I say unto to you, even as I am".  In Sunday School today there was a question posed regarding manliness.  An answer came that the world would have us believe that to be a man you have to be tough and mean.  A man wouldn't take any garbage from anyone.  Certainly this doesn't encompass all the worlds views of what makes a man a man but it is some of them.  The true model of manhood however comes from the Savior himself.  His was a life that demonstrated love, compassion, wisdom, work, sacrifice.  He gave his life for each of us.  Could there be a manlier man then the Savior?  I don't think so. 

Emulating the Savior, being as he is, this is not easy.  It certainly doesn't take a long when evaluating ones self to recognize just how weak you are.  I am saying that as in I quickly see how weak I am, how far from the example of the Savior I am.  On my own I am nothing.  I fail continually, I fall short of the example of the Savior continually.  I am so grateful for the atonement and the love of the Savior for me that he has taken upon him my sins, my failings, my short comings.  I am grateful that through him I can be made clean, I can be made whole, I can be made perfect.  I of course have to go forth doing the very best that I can do.  I have to believe in Christ.  I have to repent regularly and strive to live a clean life. 

And so the question that I must constantly ask myself is; What manner of man am I?  And because I am not perfect on my own I guess I can ask a follow up question; Where is my relationship with the Savior?  Am I going forth with Faith in Jesus Christ and striving to do, in all diligence, the things he would have me do?  Oh my goodness there is much work to do. 

I have to note that Grandma Leta had a stroke today and she is not expected to last much longer.  She will not recover from the stroke as it was quite severe.  I have always appreciated Leta.  She and Grandpa Atwood were always so kind to me and accepting of me. When the kids and I were on our way here we stopped and spent some time with them.   I appreciated their love for me and for the kids.  I appreciate their kindness. 

I love the Lord.  I strive to live as he has taught and though I fall short I will continue to put my trust in him.  I will continue to do the very best that I can do to emulate him.