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The mission of Jesus Christ and
his role in our salvation was established in the spirit world
long before he came to the earth. The Plan of Salvation called
for us to leave our heavenly existence and come to the earth
where we would need a savior to teach us how to return to our
Heavenly Father and redeem us from our sins. The chosen savior
was Jesus Christ, who willingly accepted his mission despite
the grief & sorrow he would endure (Isa. 53:3-7).
Early Origins of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary whereby the Holy
Ghost came upon her and the power of the Highest overshadowed
her (Luke 1:35). Through this act “God the Father became the
literal father of Jesus Christ,” (Gospel Principles, 64),
being the only person to ever be born of an immortal father
and a mortal mother—thus the “Only Begotten Son.” While his
divinity would be inherited from his Father, his mortal
characteristics would be inherited from his human mother.
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Although little is known about his youth, we know Jesus
“...grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom” (Luke
2:40), and at 12 years old he had knowledge of his divine
mission (Luke 2:46-49). At about 30 years old, Jesus was
baptized “...to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15). This
was followed by a fast and temptation by Satan for 40 days in
the desert to prepare Jesus for a public ministry that would
change the course of man’s salvation forever (Matthew chapter
4).
The Public Ministry of Jesus Christ
During the public ministry of Christ, he set the example of
service, performed a variety of stirring miracles,
demonstrated human love with divine nature, established his
church, and taught the gospel to all who would hear. Although
declaring himself to be “...the way, the truth, and the life”
(John 14:6), Jesus gave glory to God and proclaimed, “I came
down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him
that sent me” (John 6:38), the will of his father being “…that
every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have
everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day”
(John 6:40).
The Atonement of Jesus Christ
At the end of his public ministry, Christ fulfilled his
ultimate mission on earth by performing the great Atonement.
Jesus first went into the garden of Gethsemane. There he took
upon himself the sins of every human who has ever (and will
ever) walk the earth. It was here that Jesus endured what no
mortal could ever endure, saying “...my soul is exceeding
sorrowful unto death” (Mark 14:34). The pain was so great that
“...being in an agony… his sweat was as it were great drops of
blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44). While Jesus
asked Heavenly Father to relieve him of this pain, he freely
submitted to it continuing according to the will of Heavenly
Father (Mark 14:36).
From Gethsemane Jesus allowed himself to be taken by the
Pharisees and the Romans, physically and verbally abused, and
then crucified at Calvary. The sacrifice made by Jesus upon
the cross was accepted by God the Father to reconcile all
mankind to him—hence the “atonement” (at-one-ment) between God
the Father and each one of us. Such was the greatest and
“...most important event that has ever occurred in the history
of mankind” (Gospel Principles, 71).
Jesus Opens the Spirit World and is resurrected
Jesus was buried in a tomb and during the three days before
his resurrection, his spirit entered the spirit world to
organize and commence the teaching of his gospel to those who
had died before him, and for those who would die in the future
(1 Peter 3:18–20).
After three days Jesus was resurrected. His spirit and his
body were reunited in perfection and glory, demonstrating his
power over physical death. Through the fulfillment of his
mission, Jesus made it possible for each one of us to be
resurrected into immortality, giving every person who accepts
the Atonement the gift of being saved from spiritual death.
Following his resurrection, Jesus appeared to many
individuals, including his apostles in Jerusalem and the
people of the Americas, to expound upon his teachings and
strengthen those in need. Following this brief period on earth
Jesus ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of
God the Father. Jesus Christ will come again in fulfillment of
the scriptural prophecies, will reign in righteousness during
the millennium, and will oversee the final judgment.
Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation
While most Christians understand that Jesus is the Christ and
Savior of the world, most will gloss over the doctrine of the
mission and significance of the Savior as part of God’s master
plan, which can be referred to as the “Plan of Salvation.”
Jesus is not only our Savior, but our brother—an important
distinction that is rarely mentioned among Christians. Jesus
even referred to his apostles as “friends” (John 15:15),
something we should remember.
Worthy of more examination in the life of Jesus is his
experience in the garden of Gethsemane, as well as that which
happened on the cross. Most of the Christian world puts a
great deal of emphasis on the crucifixion (the cross) and less
emphasis on the agony in the garden. The great atonement of
Jesus Christ includes the events of the garden and the
crucifixion—you cannot have one without the other; however, to
put excessive emphasis on the crucifixion without equal or
greater emphasis on what happened in the garden of Gethsemane
is to misunderstand the process of the Atonement of Christ.
This is detailed more fully in the website section and Sword
Series™ essay on the Atonement.
Jesus Christ in the Americas
The understanding of Christ coming to the Americas (as
outlined in great detail in the Book of Mormon) helps explain
the scripture from John 10:16: “And other sheep I have, which
are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall
hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”
Christ coming to the Americas opens up a dialogue that begins
to connect the dots for a number of historical and cultural
traditions from past civilizations. His ministry in the
Americas, like that of the old world, produces valuable
insight into important doctrines that would never have come
forth without modern day scripture.
Testimony of the Living Christ
On January 1, 2000 a proclamation was made to the world from
the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints concerning the living Jesus
Christ. That proclamation is shown below:
Doctrinal
Study: Godhead /
Trinity: Jesus Christ Our Savior
THE LIVING CHRIST
THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF
LATTER-DAY SAINTS
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.
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.
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.
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.
He rose from the grave to "become the firstfruits of them that
slept" (1 Cor. 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"
(Eph. 1:10).
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 110:34).
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 76:2224).
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" (Eph. 2:20). 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" (Isa. 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.
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.
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Living Christ document |
