In his April 2026 General Conference address, “The Character of Christ,” President D. Todd Christofferson teaches that becoming like the Savior involves more than simply imitating His outward actions. True Christlike character grows from the thoughts, desires, and intents of a heart that is being changed through Jesus Christ.

The gospel therefore asks a deeper question than simply, “What should I do?” It asks, “What kind of person am I becoming?”

Christlike character grows out of a Christlike heart.

President Christofferson explains that developing this kind of character requires a mighty change of heart. For most people, that change happens incrementally over time through faith in Christ, repentance, covenants, and the grace of Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost.

The result is not merely better behavior. It is a transformed heart that increasingly produces Christlike thoughts, motivations, desires, and actions.

Common Criticism: “Christianity is just about following rules and trying to be a good person.”

It is easy to look at the commandments and practices of Christianity and conclude that discipleship is primarily about modifying behavior.

From this perspective, the gospel is essentially a moral checklist: behave better, work harder, and become a better person through personal discipline.

Fallacy at Work: Behavior Without Transformation

This criticism assumes that Christian discipleship is fundamentally about what we do on the outside.

It overlooks the deeper purpose of the gospel:

Not simply changing behavior, but changing desires.
Not merely following rules, but developing Christlike motivations.
Not relying entirely on personal discipline, but receiving divine grace.
Not simply becoming better behaved, but becoming more like Jesus Christ.

Doctrine: Christ Changes the Heart

President Christofferson teaches that Christlike character begins within us.

The Savior’s attributes are the natural fruit of His thoughts, desires, and intents. If we want to develop His character, we must therefore seek the kind of mighty change of heart described in the scriptures.

But this transformation is not something we accomplish through willpower alone.

The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we, each of us, can call on the grace of Jesus Christ to help us.

Through baptism and confirmation, the Savior promises the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Through the Holy Ghost, we receive His influence and spiritual gifts, including the power of godliness in our lives.

This is what makes the gospel more than a system of moral improvement. Jesus Christ can actually help change us.

President Christofferson’s Correction

The Christian answer to human weakness is not simply, “Try harder.”

It is:

Come unto Christ. Receive His grace. Let Him change your heart.

Our consistent effort matters, but our transformation ultimately depends upon the Savior.

Solution

When we understand the gospel as a process of transformation rather than mere behavior modification, the commandments take on a deeper purpose.

They become part of a covenant path through which Christ helps us become the kind of people we could never become through effort alone.

Living Apologetics: Becoming Christlike From the Inside Out

President Christofferson gives us a powerful way to think about discipleship.

We don’t simply imitate Christ from the outside.

We seek to develop the motivations that produced His actions in the first place.

For example, Christlike love produces:

Compassion
Patience
Forgiveness
A willingness to correct when guided by the Holy Ghost

His devotion to the happiness and advancement of others produces:

Humility
Meekness
Selflessness
Courage

As these qualities become part of our character, our actions begin to change because our hearts are changing.

This also explains why spiritual growth can take time. President Christofferson teaches that for most people, the mighty change of heart happens incrementally.

We may look back and realize that Christ has been changing us little by little:

A little more patient.

A little more forgiving.

A little less focused on ourselves.

A little more concerned with the suffering of others.

That gradual transformation is itself evidence of the Savior’s work in our lives.

Practical Apologetic Use

If someone says: “Christianity is just about following rules and trying to be a good person.”

You might respond: “President Christofferson teaches that the gospel is about something deeper than outward behavior. Through the grace of Jesus Christ, He can change our hearts and help us develop His character.”

Ways to Apply Today

1️⃣ Identify one Christlike quality you want to develop and pray specifically for the Savior’s help in developing it.

2️⃣ When a difficult situation arises, pause and ask yourself not only, “What should I do?” but also, “What would Christlike love, patience, or humility look like here?”

3️⃣ Look for one opportunity to turn outward toward someone else’s needs, especially when you are experiencing difficulties of your own.

Keep This Talk With You

President Christofferson’s message ultimately reaches beyond our individual efforts.

Our choices matter.

Not only because they shape who we become, but because individual character influences the world around us.

It is the aggregation of individual choices over time that forms and changes societies for good or ill.

One person choosing compassion matters.

One person choosing forgiveness matters.

One person choosing integrity matters.

One person choosing to follow Jesus Christ matters.

And when individuals throughout families, congregations, communities, and nations increasingly adopt the character of Christ, those individual choices can collectively shape the world.

President Christofferson teaches that adopting Christ’s character is therefore not merely preparation for ourselves. It is part of preparing the world for the Savior’s return and His millennial reign.

The work begins in the heart.

Christ changes the heart.

The changed heart produces Christlike character.

And Christlike character changes the way we live, serve, and influence the world around us.

What is one change Christ is inviting me to make in my heart that could change not only who I am, but how I bless the people around me?

The Consider Conference series by FAIR offers an in-depth look at recent General Conference talks to help members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints navigate common questions, misunderstandings, and criticisms. Each post provides doctrinal insights, historical context, and practical ways to apply gospel principles in everyday conversations. Through this series, we hope to equip readers with faith-promoting resources that encourage thoughtful reflection, respectful dialogue, and a stronger foundation in gospel truths, fostering both personal conviction and meaningful discussions with others.

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