The Living Christ - January 2000

During General Conference, one of the speakers encouraged us to use our class times at church to review and study the document, "The Living Christ."  I have decided to use some blog time to take that advice and highlight some of the key passages that I find inspiring and that cause me to have hope for a brighter future.  The document starts with identifying the person that is being referred to.

• 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.
  

It talks about the message that He brought to the world.

• 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.

It talks about some of the basic teachings that were given to us through Him.

• 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.

One of the most inspiring thoughts is to recognize that the beginning and end of His life was the the start and finish.  We lived before we came to Earth, we will live after we die.  This moment in between birth and death is part of our journey in which we are seeking an ultimate destination of eternal life with our Heavenly Father.

• 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.

The testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith is shared.

• 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).
    

The document ends with the testimonies of the Apostles that signed it.

• 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.
  

We need to spend time reflecting on our own testimonies of Jesus Christ and how our lives are shaped by the knowledge that He lives and loves us.  We have many blessings in our lives but none is greater than having a Savior who wants us to return to live with His Father for eternity.  Today, I am going to be more reflective on my relationships with the Savior and seek to conduct my life in a way that would please Him.  Today, I am going to try a little harder to become a little more like my Savior in hopes that I will improve my discipleship and come closer to Him.  Join me in this pursuit to become better disciples of our Savior Jesus Christ.