The Individual "One"

"Sadly, in today’s world, a person’s importance is often judged by the size of the audience before which he or she performs. That is how media and sports programs are rated, how corporate prominence is sometimes determined, and often how governmental rank is obtained. That may be why roles such as father, mother, and missionary (and school teacher) seldom receive standing ovations. Fathers, mothers, and missionaries and school teachers “play” before very small audiences. Yet, in the eyes of the Lord, there may be only one size of audience that is of lasting importance—and that is just one, each one, you and me, and each one of the children of God. The irony of the Atonement is that it is infinite and eternal, yet it is applied individually, one person at a time."

M. Russell Ballard
(italics information added by Steve Haymore)

JESUS CHRIST: THE MESSIAH-THE REDEEMER

Jesus: The Holy One of Israel

But behold, when the time cometh that they shall dwindle in unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand of the Lord—having a knowledge of the creation of the earth, and all men, knowing the great and marvelous works of the Lord from the creation of the world; having power given them to do all things by faith; having all the commandments from the beginning, and having been brought by his infinite goodness into this precious land of promise—behold, I say, if the day shall come that they will reject the Holy One of Israel, the true Messiah, their Redeemer and their God, behold, the judgments of him that is just shall rest upon them.

--2 Nephi 1:10

Jesus is truly the Messiah, our Redeemer. He is the Holy One of Israel, the Teacher.  If we believe in Him and accept Him, then our heart, mind, and soul will be inclined toward Him and His teachings. Our hearts will be prone to be more obedient to His commandments. If we reject Him and His laws and statutes, then our lives will drift into forbidden paths, trails of life that are counterproductive to a happy and successful life, the life that will carry one to Eternal Life with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and family and friends throughout eternity. Put God First.

JESUS declares He is the MESSIAH

Jesus Christ: Chief-Servant-Leader-Teacher

Matthew 20:26-28

26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Jesus was a servant-leader, and He came to minister, teach, and uplift people. He came to give and not receive, to offer and not to take. He gave His all, even His life as a ransom for those who would believe on His name. A ransom is a payment, a price. The price He paid was the sacrifice of His own life for the benefit of all. Jesus’ sacrifice was the ultimate sacrifice; for no other could offer the sacrifice that He did. He was the Only Begotten of the Father having a mortal mother and an immortal Father. His sonship was divine. Jesus ministered to the people. He was a teacher of righteousness. Since He was The Teacher, He was a servant to all.

The greatest people are those  who righteously and selflessly serve others, who seek to bless the lives of others. Serve others with love and be great!

Jesus Christ: Our Redeemer and Teacher

Isaiah 48:17

17 Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

JESUS is our Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. He is our Teacher and Leader. He will teach us the paths of life we should trod, but it is up to us to choose the paths of life we tred. God desires us to walk the righteous and obedient paths, but satan impulses us to go down forbidden paths, those roads that lead to misery and sorrow, sadness and unhappiness. If we hearken to the Lord’s commandments, then we experience “peace as a river.” If we choose the righteous paths, our lives will be strong and powerful like the “waves of the sea.”

Jesus Christ is the only sure foundation that we can totally rely upon for safety, security, and everlasting duration. His name is the only name upon which salvation can be obtained and eternal life attained.

“And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7)

Eternal life is our ultimate goal. Obeying all the commandments of God qualifies us for this desired end.