W. W. J. D. -- What would Jesus do?

The Legend of W. W. J. D.

" W H A T W O U L D J E S U S D O ? "

narative by Rob Richardson

INDEX

"IN HIS STEPS"

W. W. J. D. BRACELETS

THE CHALLENGE

CONCLUSION

BUYING BRACELETS

"IN HIS STEPS" by CHARLES SHELDON:
A man, unemployed and homeless, gives his first and last speech at the end of an otherwise uneventful church service. "It seems to me there's an awful lot of trouble in the world that somehow wouldn't exist if all the people who sing such songs went and lived them out."1 The congregation was moved . . . and shamed.

The next week, the church leader asks for volunteers to live exactly as the Savior would live. The group vows to live one year, making every decision only after first asking, "What would Jesus do?" and then acting accordingly, regardless of the consequences.

This simple challenge ignites these humble followers. The passion spreads as other churches accept the challenge, and find peace and happiness in following the Lord.

W.W.J.D. BRACELETS:
Though Sheldon's book is fictitious, many have been transformed by it's challenge. In 1990 in Holland, Michigan a small youth group leader wanted her students to accept the challenge of Sheldon's book, but she felt "they needed something tangible to remind them" of their challenge.2

The answer was a modest, woven bracelet with the letters W.W.J.D. embroidered in it. It was a simple, physical reminder to these youth to constantly ask, "What would Jesus do?" The bracelets are now worn on youth and businessmen alike, from grandparents to kindergartners, from Chicago to New Mexico, Appalachia to the Dominican Republic.2

THE CHALLENGE:
What if you were tempted to cheat in school? What if you were asked to lie or take advantage of another? What would Jesus do? Would He steal? Lie? Cheat? "They're a personal reminder that you should live your life the way Jesus would. You're accountable for every minute of every day," said Mike Freestone, co-designer of the bracelets.2

The other part of the challenge is to share Christ with those that ask about Him. Give others a bracelet of their own.

CONCLUSION:
Howard W. Hunter said, "We should at every opportunity ask ourselves, 'What would Jesus do?' and then be more courageous to act upon the answer. We must follow Christ, in the best sense of that word. . . . To the extent that our mortal powers permit, we should make every effort to become like Christ--the one perfect and sinless example this world has ever seen."3

Will you accept the challenge? "What would Jesus do?

BUYING BRACELETS: W.W.J.D. bracelets are available at most Christian Bookstores or in the US by mail order from the Family Christian Bookstore at 1 800 887-6555. Cost for the bracelets is typically $1.50. Other W.W.J.D. apparel is available.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. "Latest youth fad is heaven-sent." CNN, May 8, 1997, http://cnn.com/US/9705/08/fringe/jesus.bracelets/index.html. View Article
2. "W.W.J.D." Kalamazoo Gazette, Thursday, April 10, 1997, pg. D1, 3. View Article
3. "What manner of men ought ye to be?" Howard W. Hunter, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Annual General Conference Report, April 2-3, pg 83-4. View Article

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