JESUS CHRIST: FOREORDAINED IN HEAVEN

Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.

--Ether 3:14

Jesus was selected and foreordained before the world was created to redeem the children of Heavenly Father.  He bore witness of His name when He said, “I am Jesus Christ.” Those who believe in Christ can become His sons and daughters. In Him is life and light, even the abundant life. Jesus is the Savior of the world. His mission was to carry out the perfect, infinite atonement. His ministry was to bless and teach people. We can follow His ministry example, but we cannot follow His atonement example. He was and is the only one who could perform the perfect and infinite atonement. For Him we will be eternally grateful. We can really pay Him back. All He asks of us is to keep His commandments.

JESUS CHRIST: THE FOREORDAINED SON OF GOD

Jesus said, “Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.”

Jesus Came to Give us Life

--Book of Mormon Ether 3:14

Jesus was chosen and foreordained to come to earth and be the Savior and Redeemer of the world, redeem us of our sins by sacrificing His life, blood, and body for us, to bring about the perfect Atonement. He is a Father and Son: Father in the sense that He begat us life and provides us life here on earth; the Son in the sense that He is literally the Son of God, the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh for He has a mortal mother and an immortal father. In addition to Christ giving us life, He has provided us with the way to live eternally in an exalted state, with God the Father, Jesus himself, and the Holy Ghost and others who qualify. Believing in Jesus Christ is the first step in becoming His sons and daughters; for this is when He can spiritually begat us.

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST

1 Peter 1:18-20

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

Apostle Neil A. Maxwell

Neil A. Maxwell delivered a tremendous discourse about "Applying the Atoning Blood of Christ." See it here in detail.

Jesus Christ was foreordained before the foundation of the world to be our Savior, Redeemer and Mediator. He is the Firstborn of the Father in the pre-mortal life and the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. Redemption comes through the shedding of Christ’s precious blood, and not by worldly things like silver and gold. Jesus overcame the world.

In the pre-mortal life, Jesus volunteered to be our Savior, and the Father selected Him; whereupon, satan rebelled. Here is where the war in heaven occurred between Michael (Adam) joined by other righteous spirits and the dragon, known as the Devil and Satan, along with other evil spirits. Because of satan’s rebellion, satan and one third of the hosts of heaven were cast out of heaven down to the earth as evil spirits (See Revelation 12:7-11 for the War in Heaven).

Jesus lives, and He loves. He stands at the door of our souls and knocks. It is up to up to open and let Him enter into our lives.

First Principles: Faith in Jesus Christ and Repentance

Moses 5:15

And as many as believed in the Son, and repented of their sins, should be saved; and as many as believed not and repented not, should be damned; and the words went forth out of the mouth of God in a firm decree; wherefore they must be fulfilled.

The first principles of the gospel are (1) Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, (2) Repentance. On these two principles hang all other laws, ordinances, doctrine, principles, and beliefs of true Christendom. Christendom is the worldwide body or society of Christians, those who confess a faith and belief and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ leads to repentance, and repentance leads to obedience to the commandments, and obedience until the end of mortality leads to salvation in the eternities, even eternal life living with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, family, friends, and others. Eternal life is the life that God now lives, and He desires that we become as He is and enjoy exaltation that He now enjoys.

Those who do exercise faith in Christ and repent will be saved, and those who do not, will be damned, will not progress eternally and become gods or goddesses, which is damnation.

Believing in Jesus Christ, repenting, and obeying all God’s laws and commandments is the only way to live and enjoy peace and happiness. Satan, the devil, even Lucifer, desires just the opposite. He wants us to doubt Christ, never repent, and always be disobedient because this life style makes one miserable like he is miserable. God is the author of light-satan darkness.

Seek the path of life that God’s desires you to trod, and you will be buoyant and happy, successful and triumphant. You will fulfill the missions and foreordinations for mortality and will be prepared to return to live with Him again.