THE LIVING CHRIST
The Testimony of the Apostles
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
A. The
Birth of Jesus Christ -- Matchless Life
As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we
offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite
virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so
profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon
the earth.
B. Creator of the Earth -- Potential
for Sons and Daughters of God in the Life to Come
He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah
of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the
earth. "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing
made that was made" (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill
all righteousness. He "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38), yet was despised
for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all
to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the
sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths
of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose
of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons
and daughters of God in the life to come.
C/D. Sacrament -- Gift for All Who
Would Ever Live Upon the Earth
He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice.
He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a
mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary's cross. He gave His life to atone for
the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf
of all who would ever live upon the earth.
C/D. Human History -- Only Begotten
In the Flesh -- Redeemer of the World
We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history,
neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn
of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer
of the world.
E. He Rose From The Grave -- Appeared
to the Boy Joseph Smith
He rose from the grave to "become the firstfruits of them that slept"
(1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had
loved in life. He also ministered among His "other sheep" (John 10:16)
in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to
the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised "dispensation of
the fulness of times" (Ephesians 1:10).
F. The Living
Christ -- I Am
Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: "His eyes were
as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow;
his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice
was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah,
saying: 'I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth,
I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father'"
(D&C 110:3–4).
E. He Lives! For We Saw Him
Of Him the Prophet also declared: "And now, after the many testimonies which
have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give
of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand
of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only
Begotten of the Father— That by him, and through him, and of
him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten
sons and daughters unto God" (D&C 76:22–24).
C/D. Priesthood and Church Restored
Upon the Earth
We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church
have been restored upon the earth—"built upon the foundation of .
. . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone"
(Ephesians 2:20).
B. Will Someday Return to Earth --
To Be Judged According to Our Works and the Desires of Our Herarts
We testify that He will someday return to earth. "And the glory of
the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together"
(Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord
of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall
speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of
Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.
A. The
Living Christ -- Matchless Gift
We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living
Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel,
who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light,
the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that
leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God
be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust
THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE
Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, David B. Haight, Neal A. Maxwell, Russell M.
Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G.
Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, Henry B. Eyring
January 1, 2000
OUTLINE
A. The Birth of Jesus
Christ -- Matchless Life
B. Creator of the Earth -- Potential
for Sons and Daughters of God in the Life to Come
C/D. Sacrament -- Gift for All Who Would Ever Live Upon the Earth
C/D. Human History -- Only Begotten
In the Flesh -- Redeemer of the World
E. He Rose From The Grave -- Appeared to the Boy Joseph Smith
F. The Living
Christ -- I Am
E. He Lives! For We Saw
Him
C/D. Priesthood and Church Restored Upon the Earth
B. Will Someday Return to Earth -- To Be Judged According to Our Works
and the Desires of Our Herarts
A. The Living Christ -- Matchless Gift
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Suggested outline by Scott L. Vanatter.
Return to https://www.angelfire.com/va/vanatter/index.html
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