The passport to everlasting life is stamped throughout with the imprints of obedience and personal honor. Those who attain the summit of spiritual mastery are those who do the will of the Father. “If we will live the gospel, if we will put our trust in God, our Eternal Father, if we will do what we are asked to do as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we will be the happiest and most blessed people on the face of the earth” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1997], 255).
The Lord teaches us that salvation requires that we do things according to the will of God (see Luke 6:46)—and with a motive of love (see Moroni 7:5–11). We are to know Him in order to gain eternal life (see JST Matt. 7:33; John 17:3). Our hearts must yield to God (see Helaman 3:35). We seek to please God and do His will because we love Him (see John 14:15). We must be motivated by love. We will know of the truth of His doctrine as we live it (see John 7:17) with an eye single to His glory (see D&C 88:67). As we do these things, we will know God and Jesus Christ, and They will know us.
“Doing the Will of the Father”
A disciple of Jesus Christ is one who believes, follows, and attempts to live as the Savior lived. One need not have a special title or calling but rather be converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and truly attempt to be even as He is. Everyone can be a pure disciple of Jesus Christ if he or she chooses to follow and represent Him in righteousness. Such is the example of a sister missionary as told by Elder Elray L. Christiansen:
Last spring I attended the quarterly conference in one of the stakes in southern Idaho. Among the missionaries who reported was Sister Santana, a young woman of Mexican nationality. She had come to that stake to report her mission to those who had sent her. One of the families there had provided the funds for her mission, and it was reported that this Mexican girl had been instrumental in bringing into the Church more than fifty people during her time in the mission field. Among other things, she said through an interpreter: “My testimony is the brightest gem in my possession. It is of more worth to me than is my life. I hope to bear it in good deeds.” And she added, to those who had helped her, “Muchas gracias.” It touched our hearts to see her with this priceless combination of treasures—a testimony and a desire to bear it in good deeds.
Any individual who has a testimony that is borne in clean living and in good works can expect to feel in that testimony a tremendous motivating power. It will help to direct him in his life, to guide him, to prompt him, to warn him. It becomes a formidable weapon against evil itself.
Some have asked, “How may one receive a living, impelling, life-directing testimony such as you speak of? How is such knowledge obtained?” The question was answered by Jesus, when he said:
“My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
“‘If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.’ (John 7:16–17.)
So any individual who will qualify himself by doing the will of God may find this same assurance, and there is no other way that I know anything about. (CR, October 1952, 54)