- What do members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints think of Christ?
- Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God the Eternal Father. He is our Creator. He is our Teacher. He is our Savior. His atonement paid for the sin of Adam and won victory over death, assuring resurrection and immortality for all men.
- He is all of these, but he is more. Jesus Christ is the Savior, whose atoning sacrifice opens the door for us to be cleansed of our personal sins so that we can be readmitted to the presence of God. He is our Redeemer.
- The Messiah’s atoning sacrifice is the central message of the prophets of all ages. It was prefigured by the animal sacrifices prescribed by the law of Moses, whose whole meaning, one prophet explained, “point[ed] to that great and last sacrifice [of] … the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.”
He reminds us that we partake of the sacrament each week to remember Christ and his sacrifice for each of us.
- As Latter-day Saints partake of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, we drink water in remembrance of his blood, which was shed for us.
He discusses the idea that we can earn our way to heaven by our good works or by living a righteous life. It is by grace that we are saved and that grace is only obtained through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
- After all our obedience and good works, we cannot be saved from the effect of our sins without the grace extended by the atonement of Jesus Christ.
How the atonement works exactly is a mystery to us all. But by the Holy Ghost, we can know the atonement is real and how it applies to our personal lives.
- To me, as to President John Taylor, the miracle of the atonement of Jesus Christ is “incomprehensible and inexplicable.” But the Holy Ghost has given me a witness of its truthfulness, and I rejoice that I can spend my life in proclaiming it.
President Oaks concludes with his testimony of the many things that the Savior has done for us.
- I testify with the ancient and modern prophets that there is no other name and no other way under heaven by which man can be saved except by Jesus Christ.
- I witness with the prophet Lehi that “there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.”
- I testify with the prophet Alma that no man can be saved except he is cleansed from all stain, through the blood of Jesus Christ.
- I witness with the prophets of the Book of Mormon that the Messiah, the Holy One of Israel, suffered “according to the flesh,” the pains, the infirmities, and the griefs and sorrows of every living creature in the family of Adam.
- I testify that when the Savior suffered and died for all men, all men became subject unto him and to his commandment that all must repent and be baptized in his name, having faith in him, “or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.”
I do not understand how someone can look upon the church, it's teachings, it's members, and it's declarations or gospel truths, and question if we follow Jesus Christ. The driving force in my life is to spend my days seeking to become a better disciple of the Savior and to apply His teachings more in my life. I am grateful for the assurances that I have been given through the Holy Ghost that the way of life that I seek is possible. I am grateful that my simple efforts are noticed and supported by the Holy Ghost giving me assurances that I am on the right track. The Savior is the only way to return to our Father in Heaven.