Sometimes, I forget that I’m a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I’m comfortable calling myself a follower of Christ or a believer in Christ. But disciple? It sounds like an impressive job title that I’m extremely underqualified for. I’m much too … human to be a disciple.
I’ve realized something, though. True disciples of Christ aren’t flawless or inherently better than anyone else. Instead, they’re able to embody two seemingly paradoxical qualities.
1. Disciples Are Disciplined
During the October 2025 general conference, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said something that made me squirm:
“You might spend years acquiring a skill or developing a talent. You might work so hard that it becomes second nature to you. But if you think that means you can stop practicing and studying, you’ll gradually lose the knowledge and abilities you once acquired at great cost.
“This applies to skills like learning a language, playing a musical instrument, and flying an airliner. It also applies to becoming a disciple of Christ.
“Simply put, discipleship takes self-discipline.
“It is not a casual endeavor, and it doesn’t happen by accident.” (emphasis added)
Sheepishly, I’ll admit that I’m not a terribly disciplined person. I fall asleep while reading my scriptures. In fact, I often fall asleep before reading my scriptures. I also don’t exercise as much as I should. And most nights, I stay up too late.
Elder Uchtdorf’s counsel made me a bit worried. How will I ever become a disciple if I’m consistently procrastinating or distracted? I felt frustrated with myself because I knew how much better I could be.
2. And—Disciples Are Kind to Themselves
Later in conference, Elder Matthew S. Holland hit the pause button on my negative self-talk when he said:
“A testimony of the Fall does not excuse sin or a lax approach in life’s duties, which always call for diligence, virtue, and accountability. But it should temper our frustrations when things just go wrong or we see a moral failing in a family member, friend, or leader. Too often things like this cause us to wallow in contentious criticism or resentment that robs our faith. But a firm testimony of the Fall can help us be more like God as described by Jonah, that is, ‘merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness’ to all—including ourselves—in our unavoidably imperfect state.” (emphasis added)
True disciples of Christ understand why He performed the Atonement. He did it because we need it. He did it because we are imperfect and inconsistent and undisciplined.
Accepting this reality is a kindness that eases us back into trying again instead of giving up. It also helps us offer grace to others in their imperfections.
Let Christ Wash Your Feet
Conveniently, a visual for this concept is already in the scriptures—Jesus washing His Apostles’ feet.
Here’s a life-changing perspective I heard about this story: the Apostles wore sandals in a dusty, sandy country. It was inevitable that their feet would be caked in dirt by the end of the day. It was the reality of their situation.
When Jesus goes to wash Peter’s feet, Peter says, “Thou shalt never wash my feet.” And what does Jesus say back?
“If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”
Suddenly understanding what Jesus means, Peter responds, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.”
We are disciples of Christ when, in an act of self-love and in acceptance of reality, we let Him cleanse us. Yes, His gospel asks us to be disciplined and to grow continually. But it’s also a gospel of endless mercy: He knows that our feet will get dirty.
If I hadn’t been so caught up in my self-critical ruminations during conference, I might have noticed this hopeful reminder Elder Uchtdorf gave later in his talk:
“[God] doesn’t expect us to take some grand, heroic, or superhuman leap to get there. In the world He created, growth happens gradually and patiently—but also consistently and unrelentingly.
“Remember, it is Jesus Christ who already did the superhuman part when He conquered death and sin.”
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