JESUS CHRIST: GOD OF THIS LAND

Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written.

--Ether 2:12

Jesus Christ is the God of this land (the Americas), making this land choice above all other lands. If people in this nation obey God and serve Him, then God will bless this nation with freedom, safety, and prosperity; however, if people of this land are evil, God will not and cannot keep His end of the bargain. It is up to us as the people to have faith in Christ, follow Him, and obey all the commandments because God cannot force us to obey and be righteous.

"BEHOLD, I AM JESUS CHRIST"

Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name (3 Nephi 9:15).

And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying: Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world (3 Nephi 11:10).

Jesus literally introduces himself when He said, ‘Behold, I am Jesus Christ.” You can get any more clear than this. He wanted the people to know who He was, and that He was indeed Christ, the Son of God. He even invited the people to come unto Him, feel the prints of the nails in His hands, wrists, feet, and to thrust their hands into His side to know for a more surety that He was who He said He was. During this time, the Holy Ghost bore witness to the people that it truly was Jesus Christ as He had introduced himself.

JESUS CHRIST: LOVE ONE ANOTHER

And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.

--Mosiah 3:8

Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh, the creator of all things from the beginning. He is the Savior of the world and Redeemer of Mankind. Beside Him there is no other Savior or Redeemer. Jesus was tortured, beaten, spit upon, scourged, mocked, and crucified to carry out the infinite and perfect atonement. Only Jesus could carry out this ultimate atonement. Our part is to live all His commandments, including having charity for all people. Charity is the pure love of Christ, loving as He loved. May we all love one another.

JESUS CHRIST: PROPHECY OF FULFILLED

For according to the words of the prophets, the Messiah cometh in six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem; and according to the words of the prophets, and also the word of the angel of God, his name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

--2 Nephi 25:19

Prophets of God prophesied that Christ, the Messiah, would come 600 years after the prophet Lehi and his family left Jerusalem heading to America. They also prophesied that the Messiah’s name would be Jesus Christ, the Son of God. These prophecies were fulfilled. Jesus was born to the virgin Mary as prophesied 600 years from when Lehi and family did actually leave Jerusalem. He was named Jesus, again fulfilling prophecy. He became the Christ, the Savior of the World. He lived a perfect life. In Him was no guile or sin. He lived the example that we all should strive to follow. He helped people, taught people, and completely overcame the world. We too need to put worldly things second and first the things of the gospel and of a spiritual nature. In other words, we need to put God first and foremost above all else.

JESUS CHRIST: HIS MISSION HIS MINISTRY

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

--Hebrews 13:8

Jesus’ gospel is the same yesterday, today, and will be forever. The true everlasting principles and doctrines of the true gospel won’t change; for they will be eternally the same. Uninspired men attempt to change His true church, but they don’t succeed. His truth is perpetual, never-ending.

Jesus’ mission was the Atonement. His ministry was to heal the sick, teach the gospel, raise the dead, minister to the poor, build people up, establish His church. We have been asked to minister like Jesus, and we can; however, we can’t have the same mission as Jesus did. He alone had the power and was foreordained to work out the infinite and perfect atonement for all.

JESUS: AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH

“...let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

--Hebrews 12:1-2

We are all involved deeply in the race of life, not a race where we try to outdo others, but to compete against ourselves, to strive to live better today that we did yesterday. We seek a nobler character. We are also racing against sin and satan, trying to outdo him and show him that we will not fall for his traps and subtly. We can win the race of life if we have faith in Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith, if we but perform righteous works with an eye single to His glory. Jesus endured the cruel cross where He died for us so that we may  have eternal life if we merit such a blessed reward and honor. If we honor our covenants then He will honor us, even with exaltation and everlasting life in the presence of God the Father and the Son and our families and loved ones.

JESUS CHRIST: SON OF GOD

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God.

--Hebrews 4:14

Jesus was the great high priest of the high priestly order. He is the Son of God the Father, and the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh. Jesus is the Great I AM, for He is is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. He is the Light and life of the world. He is the light that lighteth every man who cometh into the world. There is no other besides Him. His name is the only name whereby man can be saved and gain eternal life.