Becoming His: A Daily Journey Toward Discipleship

by Emily Belle Freeman

The path to discipleship is an individual process, a deeper journey than simply coming closer to the Lord. It is a process that takes us from where we are to where we want to be. For those who desire to become a true disciple of Christ, the journey includes honest seeking, a willing heart, and the realization that it is never too late to become the person the Lord knows we can be. In this unique book, author Emily Freeman outlines a pattern of discipleship divided into twelve areas of focus, each containing invitations for personal growth, inspired counsel from prophets and apostles, and suggested scriptures to help us focus our efforts. As we follow this pattern, we come to understand that the process of discipleship transforms and defines us. We become something more. Something better. We become His.

Genres: Lds, Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Church, Inspirational, Self Help

211 pages, Hardcover

First published August 21, 2012

About the author

Emily Freeman and Simon Dewey collaborated on the bestselling book The Ten Virgins. For nearly 20 years, Emily has addressed groups of women as a writer, songwriter, and motivational speaker. Her deep love of the scriptures comes from a strong desire to find their application in modern-day life. Emily and her husband, Greg, are the parents of four children and live in Lehi, Utah.

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has changed my life...WOW! READ IT, BUY IT! I am in utter and complete awe of this woman. This book reached into my soul, softened my heart, helped me see where I need to be better, and given me the strength to do so. It has changed me forever, I will read it again and again...please read it! I've NEVER read anything like it.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've wanted to read this book for a long time and I was not disappointed. I really loved it. I was finally able to get it as an e-book from the library. It's the first e-book I've read and I'm not converted to that format (and that's the reason I can't give you page numbers for any of the quotes I liked). I might get to like the format better, but in any case I loved the book - you should read it! :)

Emily Freeman's writing style is informal, but inspiring. She encourages the reader to come to know the Savior and become like Him. She wants us to get into the scriptures, to study, to think, to ponder, to come to know the Lord for ourselves. I love the scriptures and examples that she shares. They are uplifting and inspiring and encourage further study.

She teaches a pattern of discipleship broken into twelve parts (months). Each topic has sections that invite the reader to consider, act, ponder, and become. It's full of scriptures and insights from the author about her study and quite insightful. I think my favorite thought from the whole book is that everyone of us has a different pathway to discipleship and coming to know the Lord, but these are some wonderful principles and topics to study to help us get there, no matter where we're coming from:
* First Month - Become More (seek one-on-one moments with Lord, ever mindful of Him along the way, meant for more)
* Second Month - Become Willing (prepare your heart, open your heart, soften your heart, take His name, place your will on God's altar)
* Third Month - Become a Builder (focused on accomplishing great things, a gold refiner)
* Fourth Month - Become Who You Might Have Been (someone who sits at the feet of the Lord, recognize the great things the Lord has done, humble to cry to the Lord, willing to stretch)
* Fifth Month - Become Refined (content, full of peace, certain there is hope, persuaded that God will fulfill all His promises)
* Sixth Month - Become His Instrument (qualified to have the spirit, prepared for the moment)
* Seventh Month - Become Drawn to Him (filled to the brim, prepared to seek, intent on studying, come with a question, immersed in the scriptures)
* Eighth Month - Become a True Follower (altogether committed, willing to offer your whole soul, keep back nothing, willing to go)
* Ninth Month - A Succorer of Many (moved with compassion, the laborer He prayed for, a servant unto all)
* Tenth Month - Become His Warrior (valiant, courageous, diligent, loyal)
* Eleventh Month - Become His Witness (a believer, anchored in Christ)
* Twelfth Month - Become Holy (set apart to the Lord, consecrated to the Lord, one who loves much)

Here are some quotes I liked:
"Every journey toward discipleship is individually mapped out to fit the need of the traveler (Acknowledgements)."

"The first step on the path of discipleship begins, luckily enough, in the exact place where we stand (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Just a Little Book)!"

"The first step to finding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is to let His word...touch your heart. But it is not enough merely to let those words wash over you, as if they alone could transform you. We must do our part...It means taking seriously what is taught, considering it carefully, studying it out in our minds (Elder Robert D. Hales, The Beginning)."

"When my friend said, 'Thank you for coming,' the counselor replied, 'You're worth it (The First Month).'"

"The journey to discipleship, this journey to become His, will be life changing only to the extent that we allow it to be. It might require us to ascend to a higher level. We may need to leave behind the multitude and the crowd to come to Him. Often it is only under these conditions that we can truly hear His message. We must find the time for these private excursions (The First Month)."

"Become a builder, knowing that the Lord has a great work in store for you. Consider what your great work might be. Where could you to to obtain instructions? What tools will you use in your building process? What are some steps you might take as you begin your great work (The Third Month)?"

"Let Him become precious to you. Then bring your finest (The Third Month)."

"Do you feel a prompting of something you would like to change in your life? Begin by finding a way to understand your worth in the sight of the Lord. Then sit at His feet. Find courage. Gather strength. Once you are ready, move forward. Share your testimony with those who need your compassion and encouragement. Go to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you. Perhaps your story will prepare someone else to know the Lord (The Fourth Month)."

"One quality I love about the Lord is that He 'searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts' (1 Chronicles 28:9). He knows who we are, but, more important, He knows who we can become. Through Him, all things are possible. Our life can become a masterpiece, if we just let the Master do His work (The Fourth Month)."

"Do not question too much, dear friend, for the God who ordained the beginning can safely be trusted with the end, as well as with all that lies in between (Myrtle Reed, The Fifth Month)."

"'Well, can I just pray that he doesn't have cancer? (The Fifth Month)'"

"President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has counseled, 'In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance (The Sixth Month).'"

"Their only responsibility was to bring their friend to Christ. They were not the healers or the teachers, but they could bring their friend to the One who could heal, to the One who could teach (The Sixth Month)."

"Remember, our job is not to fix someone's life or to save them from where they are--that is the Savior's job. Our job requires faith, lifting, supporting, strengthening, and holding on in some form or another as we lead our friends closer to Him (The Sixth Month)."

"'And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless I went forth (1 Nephi 4:6-7) (The Sixth Month).'"

"'When was the last time you had an answer to your prayers?...If it wasn't in the last two days, you need to change the way you are praying (The Seventh Month).'"

"I wonder how my scripture study would differ if my goal was to be filled to the brim each time I finished reading (The Seventh Month)."

"We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become (Elder Richard G. Scott, The Eighth Month)."

"What is it that holds you back from the things that you most want to do? Is it fear or disappointment? Worry that you might get hurt? Doubt that you might not be strong enough? Concern that what you receive in the end won't be what you had anticipated when you began (The Eighth Month)?"

"It takes courage to become a true follower. Commitment. Conviction (The Eighth Month)."

"Wonder what it might have been like to follow in the shadow of the Savior for just one day to learn the trade He was Master of--succoring....I can't find record of even one moment when the Savior had time to Himself. Perhaps some of His appointments were fixed, but for the most part it seems that He allowed Himself to be available to whoever needed Him, whenever they needed Him. He knows what it is to succor (The Ninth Month)."

"Most ministering opportunities are spontaneous, not planned in advance. Much of the Savior's ministering seemed almost incidental, happening while He was on His way to somewhere else--while He was doing something else. He gave us the example of ministering as He went (Sister Bonnie D. Parkin, The Ninth Month)."

"Ask that you might be the means of extending the Lord's generosity...As you strive to become a succorer of many, ask to be made wise hearted. Let your heart be stirred up, and let your spirit be made willing (The Ninth Month)."

"As thy days may demand, so they succor shall be (How Firm a Foundation, The Ninth Month)."

"The kingdom of God is like a besieged city surround on all sides by death. Each man has his place on the wall to defend and no one can stand where another stands, but nothing prevents us from calling encouragement to one another (Martin Luther, The Tenth Month)."

"Who is your captain (The Tenth Month)?"

"Who will be ready, prepared, and protected to fill the gaps and make up the hedge?...Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (The Tenth Month)."

"Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's (2 Chronicles 20:13-15) (The Tenth Month)."

"Sometimes, as God's warriors, all that is required of us is to stand before His house, in His presence, and cry unto Him. He will hear and help. This is what makes our courage strong--the knowledge that the Lord is with us. This battle is not ours, but His (The Tenth Month)."

"No one can take your testimony from you, but you can choose to let it go (The Eleventh Month)."

"What are your anchor points? What do you know for sure?....Think about those who have gone before you. Remember their stories or faith....If you are His joy, will He ever turn His back on you?....Perhaps you might consider keeping your own 'book of evidences'--a book in which you record your own witness of the hand of the Lord in your life (The Eleventh Month)."

"Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees, takes off his shoes...(Elizabeth Barrett Browning, The Twelfth Month)."

"The Lord is everywhere. His mercies and His miracles surround us, but not everyone turns aside to see the great sight--not everyone takes off his shoes (The Twelfth Month)."

"What is the sacred purpose of my life? If I want to become more holy, I need to figure out what I have been set apart to do. Brigham Young said, 'Every moment of my life must be holiness to the Lord (The Twelfth Month).'"

"The most important part of [John Moyle's] journey happened in the moments of sacrifice along the way when the name of the Lord was carefully chiseled into his heart (The Twelfth Month)."

"How can we truly become His unless we are known of Him (The Journey Ahead)?"

"I had the opportunity to sit in a Relief Society class where the teacher held up a glass jar filled to the brim with white sugar--the particles of the earth. She asked if someone would be willing to count each particle while she was teaching. We all laughed. Then she asked us how the Lord could really know each one of us. In that moment I felt small. Insignificant. Forgotten. She asked us to turn to Moses and we read, 'All things are numbered unto me, for they are mine, and I know them (Moses 1:35) (The Journey Ahead).'"

"In the moments when we wonder if the Lord is mindful of us, the moments when we wonder if He is aware of us and our situation, we must watch for His hand in our lives (The Journey Ahead)."

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, inspiring, and thought-provoking book. Emily Freeman describes through scripture stories and personal experiences 12 steps to draw nearer to Christ. I love that many of the scripture stories she shares are lesser known ones, and she is able to glean out wisdom that is not on the surface. You can tell she knows how to search, study, and ponder scriptures and I love her perspective and thoughts. This book will be one I refer to often as I work towards adopting the principles she describes. I especially love the chapters on "Becoming an Instrument" and "Becoming a Succorer of Many" and how she includes scriptures and talks for you to study on your own. Very well done...I highly recommend.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. Emily Freeman makes the scriptures feel relevant to my life today.
The story about her son trying to find a picture of Peter walking on the water--just as he was sinking--for his bedroom was my favorite. Who knew that her son's mission president would later compare her son to Peter with the Savior? This book left me feeling peaceful, and motivated to become a better disciple of Jesus Christ.

[Charissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book organized by months. Each month the author focuses on one way to better Become like Jesus Christ. The author has an engaging style of writing and beautiful stories and scripture and insights that inspire. It’s a holy journey, one that never ends. Highly recommend.

[Des Collings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all Emily's books, this will make you think about your commitment, conversion, and relationship with Christ.

[Nannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I re-read it every year. The hardcover version is also so beautiful.

[Dorry Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on becoming a disciple of Christ.

[Shayla Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic and it helped me consider my ways toward discipleship

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly what it sets out to be, a thought provoking course of study.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed her stories, as well as the steps she provides to draw closer to Christ.

[Susan Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Freeman has composed yet another book designed to uplift, inspire, and motivate women to come unto Christ. Filled with personal eperiences and supplemented by scriptures and quotes from prophetsand other inspired authors, Emily shares and expounds on numerous principles and doctrines. Applicable to every woman, the messages are clear but fitting to any life circumstance. Organized into twelve sections, she challenges the reader to take time to work through each chapter and to consider, act, ponder, and ultimately become who we are to be. Beautifully illustrated, illustrations include works from Scott Sumner, Liz Lemon Swindle, and Simon Dewey. This book is perfect for yourself or a gift.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was a spiritual feast for me. After the first chapter or two, I grabbed my scriptures and kept them with me through the end of the book. Emily Freeman shares great insights into the gospel, particularly from the Bible, and I appreciated the way she used reliable sources- teachings from the scriptures and from modern-day prophets and apostles- to convey her ideas. This book was designed to be read over the course of a year; each chapter focuses on one characteristic of discipleship. As the copy I read was from the library, I didn't have that luxury, but I did enjoy the way the chapters built on each other. I hope to read more of her books. My heart was touched, my desire to follow the Savior was strengthened, and my testimony grew.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly love this one. It was uplifting and inspiring. It made me look at the scriptures and it's stories differently. Emily Freeman explains things in a way that I get. She has a beautiful way of getting me to think. One of the things I loved is that she encourages us to read a certain story in the scriptures and then she walks through what it might or could mean and how we can apply this to our lives. So essentially it became a companion to my scripture study and somewhat of a guide (which is big cause I struggle sometimes to read the stories in there and understand them fully). I would recommend this to anyone and everyone. I don't read a lot of church books, but I loved this one so much I bought a copy for myself.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Freeman has a way with teaching that is SO AMAZING!
In this new release she teaches us how to be a better disciple of Christ by helping us learn to: Become More, Become Willing, Become a Builder, Become Who You Might Have Been, Become Refined, Become His Instrument, Become Drawn to Him, Become a True Follower, Become a Succorer of Many, Become His Warrior, Become His Witness, Become Holy
This is a book you will read all at once because it is that good. And then you will read it again, this time slowly, putting into practice these teachings.

[Rebecca Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved reading this book over the whole year. What a beautiful writer she is. I would probably have given this 5 stars if it had been the first book of hers that I had read. But I have read many of hers and my very favorites remain: 21 Days Closer to Christ and The Promise of Enough, which both received 5 stars from me.

But you cannot go wrong with anything written by Emily Freeman. She is a master at writing out a process of study and leading her reader along to new insights and understanding.

[Tara]

I love the way this book is written to be studied each chapter a month at a time. It also encourages a lot of additional scripture study and reflection to go along with each of the monthly topics...I am totally enjoying it and learning a lot so far! After hearing Emily speak at conference recently, I was really excited to buy her book. She doesn't disappoint! She is just as inspiring and engaging of an author as she was in person.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It is probably one of my very favorite for the way it was written to give time for meditation. I love how it takes the whole year to read and you can spend a month on a principle of coming closer to the Savior. Emily Freeman is one of my very favorite authors because of her clear way of writing and making the scriptures apply to my every day life.
Read it for the second time and it is still inspirational!

[ShaLisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I read this book, I soaked in much. I loved the teachings using personal stories resulting from scripture study, and I especially enjoyed that so much came from Bible stories. However, I wanted to feel changed as a person as I studied and took recommendations seriously and I do not feel changed even a little bit. I did not “become His” or take steps toward discipleship. I wanted to. Although I was inspired, I was not changed.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kind of feel bad about giving this one 4 stars. I think some of it is that you get out of something like this what you put into it. I wasn't very good about keeping up on the reading schedule. When I did follow through and read this on Sundays, I didn't make any kind of a note for myself for the week, so I didn't think about it again until the next Sunday at best. The times I put more effort into pondering, I got more out of it. Overall, it really was a good book.

[Erika B. (SOS BOOKS) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars to this wonderful book! My word Emily Freeman makes you study and ponder and think! This book will make you want to be a better person! I'll be studying from this one for a long time!

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[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have to read this one slowly. Need to take time to absorb each section. It had some pretty good thoughts, but I thought I'd get into it more than I did. Still worth reading. I really liked the concept. She has some nice stories and highlights certain scriptural passages in some interesting ways. Will probably refer back to it from time to time.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this is a book I will want to come back to at a different stage in life and it will continue to add insight to my life, and give me great points for reflection and change. I didn't have the patience to take a whole 12 months to read. Perhaps next time I read it I will make it a 12 week challenge. :)

[Danni · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! I have been studying this book since 6:30 this morning. It is now 5:00. I have been reading scriptures all day long. You are supposed to read this book one section a month, but I borrowed it from the library. So I had to complete it in a timely manner. I want a copy so I can study slower. It teaches you how to be closer to Christ.

[Nisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book, but even though it's done in a step by step process, I still came away feeling overwhelmed at ever being able to accomplish all of it. I realize this is my own fault and not the author's. :)

[Eve Swenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Freeman is able to touch my heart and inspire me to seek more. She is one of my favorite authors. I encourage my friends to seek to become more, to Become His and this book will help to motivate and lead you on your path. Beautiful, Inspirational and life changing. I love this book!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lessons I learned in this book keeps coming back to me as I reflect on how we can always be improving our relationship with the Savior. Become has become my word of the year from reading this book. Emily Freeman interprets scriptures in ways I can relate too.

[Stephanie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece! I will read it again and again. Becoming his is a lifetime pursuit. Thank you Em!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring and thought provoking book that acts as a fabulous study guide of the gospel. I'm buying this one for my kindle.