Does It Align with Christ?
Recently, I came across a scripture that caused me to reflect on my relationship with Jesus Christ—specifically, whether my life is truly aligned with Him.
What does alignment even mean?
After looking at several definitions, I’d describe alignment simply as this: when two things are aligned, they move in the same direction—they agree, they match, they fit. When they don’t, something is off.
That idea matters deeply when it comes to our discipleship. Our alignment with Christ is everything.
Conversion is not a one-time event—it’s the beginning of a lifelong process. Each day, we are invited to realign ourselves with Him. In a world filled with competing voices, distractions, and philosophies, that alignment requires intentional effort.
In Colossians 2, Paul teaches:
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Paul urges believers to stay firmly grounded and aligned with Christ just as they first believed, continuing to grow in faith and gratitude. He warns them not to be led astray by ideas or religious systems that are rooted in human thinking rather than in Christ.
Believe in Him
Alignment with Christ begins with belief. Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught: “We cannot be thus settled in doing what Jesus has commanded unless we are first settled about Him.” 1
Before we can truly follow Christ, we must come to know Him—who He is, what He stands for, and what He asks of us. That belief leads to desire—a desire to follow Him. Not perfectly, but sincerely. Alignment doesn’t require perfection, but it does require effort. And that effort matters, because the world offers plenty of alternatives—ideas, philosophies, and distractions that can subtly pull us off course.
Elder Neil L. Andersen warned: “As evil increases in the world, our spiritual survival, and the spiritual survival of those we love, will require that we more fully nurture, fortify, and strengthen the roots of our faith in Jesus Christ.” 2
Daily Commitment
Alignment isn’t maintained accidentally—it’s built daily.
Elder Dale G. Renlund taught: “Our faith in Jesus Christ needs to be nourished daily. It is nourished as we pray daily, study the scriptures daily, reflect on the goodness of God daily, repent daily, and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost daily.” 3
The formula is simple but requires dedication. Each day we must choose to follow and renew our belief in Savior. This daily re-alignment will allow access to the Holy Ghost which will teach us the truth of all things. (Moroni 10:5)
Daily dedication and subsequent companionship of the Holy Ghost will help us avoid the philosophies of men that can distract from our intended focus—Jesus Christ.
- Neal A. Maxwell, “Overcome … Even As I Also Overcame,” April 1987, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1987/04/overcome-even-as-i-also-overcame?lang=eng ↩︎
- Neal L. Andersen, “Drawing Closer to the Savior,” October 2022, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/35andersen?lang=eng ↩︎
- Dale G. Renlund, “The Powerful, Virtuous Cycle of the Doctrine of Christ,” April 2024, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/04/43renlund?lang=eng ↩︎