First of all, what is an ideal?
An ideal is whoever we want to see
ourselves becoming. Before we can adapt such qualities that are necessary to
become that way, however, we must figure out our ideal selves.
Once we have an ideal self in mind, it
would be considered prudent to examine how we have grown from the past, what
growth and roles we have going in the present, and what future roles we have.
We then need to see if our spectrums of roles mesh with the vision of an ideal
self we have.
If they mesh, that’s fine and the next step
of the process involved in growth can begin. More than likely, however, the two
do not mesh and it would therefore be considered a wise move to alter the
expectations we have in making our ideal selves. 
Why is this important to do? Self-alteration is important that we might be able to accept and develop our present roles while preparing for the roles that we are meant to receive by the divine designs of our Heavenly Father.
After an ideal self is properly formulated, it would be prudent to take a willing look at the qualities needed to achieve the ideal self; that includes looking at what we have and what we need. It is only because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we are even able to fathom the concept of an ideal self despite the mortal limits and imperfect natures we possess as a part of our humanity.
Now, before seeing what qualities we do and
do not possess in the personal quest to become an ideal self, it is a good idea
to have even the simplest sense of what the qualities of an ideal are.
Qualities of an ideal, according to Christ
and what common sense indicates, include longsuffering, kindness in all times
and places, no envy towards the successful, the humble acceptance of praise and
correction and choosing to use both as opportunities to do better in the
future. Furthermore, ideals should not glory in themselves and their worldly
riches; they should glory in God, Christ, and all things wholesome that will better
themselves, their loved ones, and those who they have or have not met. That incudes those who have passed on; they are all able to be rescued by Christ.
An ideal seeks to assist others however
possible without thought to oneself, any potential consequences or rewards for
themselves or even excessive fear about what could happen. They also give of
their talents, love, and time out of love and not to look important or cool to
others. Ideals are also patient with time, difficult circumstances, or people
who do not share similar values or priorities.
Ideals think nothing badly of those who
injure them, but only sorrow for the poor choices made and the ideals pray that
the desire to make better choices does not die away with time. Additionally,
ideals are not enthusiastic to see sinners suffer but rather sorrowful over the
evil that dominates and enslaves the souls of those who choose poorly. They
are, however, enthusiastic that God watches over all and is very mindful of
everyone. Ideals are also grateful that Christ Atoned for all that we ALL might
have the opportunity to embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ in its glorious
fullness if we want to.
Generally, ideals are loving and serve when
they desire to do well, which is a good way to help combat sorrow and despair,
and they want to do it proactively, acting as an instrument of the Lord with
the assistance of the Spirit of God. They clothe themselves in the Spirit of
compassion and unconditional love continually, after the example of Jesus
Christ during His time on Earth. Ideals gain and maintain an undying hope for
the future; they also have a hope for how both people as individuals and the
world as a whole can eventually improve with time, trial, love, and even death.
Death only serves as a beginning and transition time to another world and
ideals understand that. Ideals endure every blessing and trial while leaning on
God and Christ and actively feasting on the divine, freely offered love from
them.
Seeking and allowing the help of the
Atonement for healing from the inside out if another quality of an ideal; they
recognize their need for help and the Savior’s desire to eradicate the bits of
hate, disgust, irrelevant fear, and indifference that reside unfettered in all
of humanity.
They come to Christ in a state of meekness and humility with a
broken heart, contrite spirit, and a desire to do better. Ideals let the
Atonement heal their hearts and rebuild it that it may grow larger from love,
in love from God, in love for others, and to others in whatever appropriately
manifested ways possible.
Ideals are natural services givers or their
desire to serve is strong; they have no thought to convenience or want of
getting something in return. They are kind, caring, and generous of time,
trusting, cherisher and exhibitor of all things good.
Patience enshrouds them;
forgiveness is in their nature, acceptance of people and situations is as much
a part of them as their limbs are; inclusion of others is commonplace to them,
they exhibit unfettered selflessness towards any person or circumstance while
cherishing their own morals like a child without the barriers of judgment or
unnecessary fear attached. They are like Christ in showing pure love, which is
otherwise known as charity.
Recognizing that charity is available to
all and actively promoting it through example is another proactive quality of
an ideal; they also understand and hasten to share that God will only grant the
gift of charity and all associated abilities to they who desire and/or seek
after it for the right reasons. It is understood by them that the gift of
charity should be yearned after for selfless purposes. For God and Christ to
give such gifts to those who do not desire or appreciate them would be an
infringement upon free agency and could be negatively perceived as punishment
for excessive idleness.
Furthermore, ideals actively seek the
assistance of God and Christ to become better. Ideals constantly desire that
they might serve as better helpers and be more efficient at being compassionate
servicemen and women to not only others to teach them of their divine
potential, but also to themselves that they might also bring love and
betterment into their own souls.
Now, these qualities can either by our own
with the help of Christ and diligent searching if we so wish, or they can be
blessed upon us through fervent prayer and study. Often, the Lord sees fit to
integrate people and/or experiences into the lives of individuals for the
purpose of helping them, and those around them, grow into the ideal beings He
sees hidden within all of us. Everyone has an ideal being within them that is
just anxiously waiting to emerge, but is unable to without divine assistance.
We cannot handle life alone; without help,
life will manhandle us until we are broken to a point where we think we cannot
be repaired. However, Christ’s Atonement will always help us if we want it. Do
not let the world set the standard for you ever; set an example to show the
world that you love yourself, love others, and love God and always be willing
to serve with the Spirit of God and love combined.
In working to become an ideal self, live
freely as possible, but do not let the world live through you; neither let the
world control your ambitions, goals, desires, and daily living. None of us on
the Earth, save Jesus Christ, are perfect, however, and we sometimes fall to
our weaknesses.
Should we desire to be better, the Atonement of Christ shall
work according to our desires and level of understanding; it shall help all who
seek it in a quiet process of healing that we will be able to observe as it
happens.
On the other side of the coin, Satan sees
our desires of good and hates them with a passion; he also sees the carnal side
buried deep in each of us and desires to awaken it. Satan will work a subtle
process using subtle means, his pure hate, and the power of his already
captured spirits, to work on pulling us away from Heavenly Father and Christ.
We may not see it until we are waist deep in trouble, unfortunately.
When God
prompts us to act, we need to act in righteousness right away even though it
may seem strange to us; as He and Christ see that we are constantly striving to
be our ideal selves and desire to bless us constantly, including through
revelation based instruction.
By having the Spirit of God with us as we
seek to utilize Christ’s Atonement in seeking after our ideal selves to bless
others, we ourselves become a holy place. No matter where on this beautiful
Earth that we live, we can be the holy place as long as we uphold what we value
that is good and stick firm to sharing that good example with others in the
name of Christ. Leading by such an example, even when we make mistakes and
repent, will make things easier for us in our quest to become more like Christ.
The love of Christ is truly immeasurable,
yet it is clearly proven by the Atonement wherein He undertook the perilous
journey of mortality and ended it by giving a selfless sacrifice that opened
the door to immortality and eternal life, making our salvation free. 
Again, it
is only because of the Atonement that we can even contemplate the possibility
of becoming our eternally ideal selves and not be burdened by mistakes or fear;
Christ understands everything and everyone and has rescued us from a hellish
fate if we want to be rescued. Ultimate peace, joy, and never ending love and
unity can be ours if we wish.
Although salvation, immortality, and
eternal life is free, all the work we put into discovering and achieving our
eternally ideal selves is also to help us figure out what level of comfort we
wish to enjoy in eternal life. Before the Atonement, we basically died with no
chance for recourse on how we lived, but because of the Atonement, we have
opportunity even after death to achieve our eternal ideal self. 
We were saved from a singular, hopeless
fate by our Savior, another name for Jesus Christ. Christ is referred to as the
Savior because through his sacrifice of innocence on the cross and by the tears
of blood in Gethsemane, He rescued us from hopelessness and opened the door of
eternal opportunity.
On a personal note, I am very grateful for
the Atonement of Christ, among many other things, and for the time and
opportunity that it has given me to grow into my eternally ideal self.
The
Atonement has given us all time and opportunity that is free to embrace when we
are all ready to accept and possibly sacrifice for what growth was unlocked for
us by Christ’s love either in mortality or in the aftermath.
Note: These are my words and my photos. Please DO NOT steal them.
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