The Living Christ

Click to read the testimony of modern day Apostles about The Living Christ

Remember Christ Through the Sacrament

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described several appropriate ways to remember the Lord while renewing our covenants through the sacrament:

“We could remember the Savior’s premortal life and all that we know Him to have done. …
“We could remember the simple grandeur of His mortal birth to just a young woman. …
“We could remember Christ’s miracles and His teachings, His healings and His help. …
“… We could remember that Jesus found special joy and happiness in children and said all of us should be more like them. …
“We could remember that Christ called His disciples friends. …
“We could—and should—remember the wonderful things that have come to us in our lives and that ‘all things which are good cometh of Christ’ (Moroni 7:24). …
“On some days we will have cause to remember the unkind treatment He received, the rejection He experienced, and the injustice … He endured. …
“… We can remember that Jesus had to descend below all things before He could ascend above them, and that He suffered pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind that He might be filled with mercy and know how to succor His people in their infirmities” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 90–91; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 68–69).

JESUS: THE CHRIST

Jesus Christ is Lord Omnipotent

Jesus gave His disciples a charge or directive at one point, [Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ].

Jesus bore testimony of himself, that He was the Christ. Jesus was and is the only true Christ. He is the literal Messiah and Redeemer of the world and all world created by Him under the direction of the Father. His name is the only name wherein man can obtain salvation and gain eternal life.

“There shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.”

Jesus is the perfect role model of righteousness and godliness. Seek to become like Jesus the Christ.

Salvation Through the Name of Jesus Christ

Book of Mormon--Helaman 5:9 (About 30 BC)

Remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.

Jesus Christ’s name is the only name through which man can be saved. His is the only name whereby redemption is obtained. Only through Jesus’ name is the world redeemed. No other person or thing can take the place of our Savior’s atoning sacrifice, His infinite atonement (payment) for our sins. His name is the only name under heaven whereby man could become clean and pure and sanctified. When we are pure and clean of our sins, it is because of our sincere repentance and the grace of God. Grace is divine assistance. We are saved through the grace of God after all we can do.

Think-Ponder-Pray: When you hear or think of the name Jesus Christ:

1. What comes to mind?
2. What do you think of?
3. What feelings enter your heart?
4. What directions do  your thoughts go?
5. Why do you feel a spirit of reverence?
6. Why do tears fill your eyes?
7. Why do you feel a deeper spirit of humility?  
8. Why is your tongue stayed and speechless for a few minutes?
9. What now is most important in life?
10. What is your standing with God?
11. Why am I not more grateful to Him than I should be?
12. How can I increase my love and gratitude for Him?
13. Is my  life in harmony with the teachings of the Lord?
14. How can I do and be better?
15. How can I improve my life?
16. How can I live a more Christ-like life?
17. How can I please Him more?

Ponder answers to these questions, and you will have a spiritual experience because of our loving Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ who made Jesus’ atonement possible. We are forever indebted to them. Trust them, and trust His name.

With His Stripes We Are Healed

Book of Mormon--Mosiah 14:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Jesus is the Great Atoner. He was foreordained in premortal life to come to this earth and be the Savior, Redeemer, and Atoner of the world for all. He was smitten, spit upon, smote, cursed at, scourged, and crucified-all for the atonement and reconciliation of humankind. While in gethsemane, Jesus suffered the pains and afflictions of everyone past, present, and those who will yet be born, and here is when he sweat great drops of blood from every pore so great was His pain and suffering. He even asked the Father to remove this cup from Him, but if it wasn’t the Father’s will, then Jesus would endure and suffer through it. This He did.

He suffered the Atonement so we could have peace, and as a result of His stripes, His seven special wounds, we are healed of our sins and shortcomings.

His seven special wounds included:

1. Print of the nail in His left hand
2. Print of the nail in His right hand
3. Print of the nail in His left foot
4. Print of the nail in His right foot
5. Print of the nail in His left wrist
6. Print of the nail in His right wrist
7. The spear wound in His right side

In addition to Jesus’ seven special wounds, He received body torture from the scourging, from the crown of plaited thorns pressed down upon His head, and whiskers of His beard were pulled out.

“I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting” (Isaiah 50:6).

He suffered for the pains and sicknesses of all mankind.

“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people” (Book of Mormon, Alma 7:11).

Jesus is our Advocate with the Father. Without Him, we are as nothing. May we praise and thank Him humbly from the depths of our hearts forevermore. Above all, may we live so that our good lives demonstrate and reflect our abiding love for Him. Our lives show the depth of our love, commitment, and devotion to Him.

Be Valiant

Elder Bruce R. McConkie

October 1974 General Conference