5 October 2020

"The Living Christ"

The Testimony of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, cross-referenced with the scriptures.

I think of "The Living Christ", The Testimony of the Apostles as if it were a chapter in the standard works. So, why not give it similar treatment, with footnotes referring to study helps and related passages in the scriptures? What follows is my own (unofficial) rendering of this important document.


  1 As we commemorate the abirth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our btestimony of the reality of His cmatchless life and the infinite virtue of His great datoning sacrifice. None other has had so eprofound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.


  2 He was the Great aJehovah of the Old Testament, the bMessiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the ccreator 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 dbaptized to fulfill all righteousness. He e"went about doing good", yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of fpeace and goodwill. He entreated all to gfollow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, hhealing the sick, icausing the blind to see, and jraising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the kreality of our premortal existence, the lpurpose of our life on earth, and the mpotential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.


  3 aHe binstituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was carrested and dcondemned on spurious charges, econvicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary's cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. fHis was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.


  4 We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, aneither began in Bethlehem bnor concluded on Calvary. He was the cFirstborn of the Father, the dOnly Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.


  5 He rose from the grave to a"become the firstfruits of them that slept". As Risen Lord, He visited among bthose He had loved in life. He also ministered among His c"other sheep" in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father dappeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the elong-promised "fdispensation of the fulness of times".


  6 Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph awrote:

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."


  7 Of Him the Prophet also adeclared:

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.


  8 We adeclare in words of solemnity that His bpriesthood and His cChurch have been restored upon the earth--d"built upon the foundation of...apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone".


  9 We testify that He will someday areturn to earth. b"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together". He will rule as cKing of Kings and dreign as Lord of Lords, and eevery 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 fworks and the gdesires of our hearts.


  10 aWe 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 blife, 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 cgift 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