I would venture to say that the core doctrine of our religion is indeed our belief in and testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Without Him we are nothing, and so is our doctrine. President George Albert Smith knew this well.
"I have been buoyed up and, as it were, lifted out of myself and given
power not my own to teach the glorious truths proclaimed by the Redeemer
of the world. I have not seen Him face to face but have enjoyed the
companionship of His spirit and felt His presence in a way not to be
mistaken. I know that my Redeemer lives and gladly yield my humble
efforts to establish His teachings. … Every fiber of my being vibrates
with the knowledge that He lives and some day all men will know it."
"In
his travels as a General Authority, George Albert Smith occasionally met
those who thought that the Latter-day Saints do not believe in Jesus Christ.
This misconception amazed and worried President Smith, and he tried to
correct it by sharing his personal witness of the Savior.
On one occasion he spoke at a Church meeting in Cardston, Canada, about the life and mission of Christ.
The next morning he went to the railway station to buy a train ticket.
While he waited in line, he overheard a conversation between a woman and
the ticket agent. The woman mentioned that the evening before she had
decided to attend a Latter-day Saint worship service.
The ticket agent looked surprised. “My goodness,” she said. “You do not mean to say you went to church there.”
“Yes, I did,” the woman answered. “Why not?”
The ticket agent said, “They do not even believe in Jesus Christ.”
Then
the woman replied, “Only last night I listened to one of the elders of
the Church speaking of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, and I have never
heard anybody who seemed more profoundly impressed with a knowledge that
Jesus was indeed the Christ, than the speaker on that occasion.”1
Why would someone's personal opinion that Mormons do not believe in Christ bother any member of the church (not just the prophet)? Easy, right? Because, again, it is our core doctrine. So let me ask you this, what have you done, or will you do when you come across someone who truly doesn't understand our belief in Jesus Christ?
(Ideas: ask he/she what gives them that impression, simply bare a powerful testimony and leave it at that, share a quote/testimony from a prophet/apostle, share "The Living Christ" with them start a discussion, go over doctrine etc., walk away if it looks like something that will only end in Bible bashing, hurt feelings, etc.)
If you're anything like me, you'll simply state your testimony in a logical manner. In doing so, you'll likely define who Jesus is (The Christ, our resurrected Savior and brother). In doing so you'll probably reference the testimonies given in (a.) the Bible and (b.) Book of Mormon (and Doctrine in Covenants), (c.) the testimonies of modern day prophets, and/or (d.) a private, personal witness directly given to you from the Holy Ghost.
(a.) We Accept the Bible's testimony of the divine mission of Jesus Christ
President George Albert Smith addresses each of these testimony building resources. In regard to the Bible, he described how wonderfully definitive it is in describing and determining who Christ is; we believe all it teaches in reference to Him and we accept the testimonies of all the evangelists in the New Testament ("with reference to the resurrection of the Redeemer of mankind").
-Are there any particular scriptures/stories/principles in the Bible that have had a profound impact on your testimony of Christ?
-Which story do you think best describes Jesus Christ's character and divinity? (example: Christ's baptism, the dove and the voice of God Matthew 3:13–17)
(b.) The Book of Mormon and the testimony of (c.) Joseph Smith give us additional evidence of Christ's divinity
In John 10:16 Jesus promised, "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." The Book of Mormon testifies to the truthfulness of this statement. It bears witness that Jesus did indeed fulfill the promise he made in Jerusalem. "He came in his resurrected body to bring them the information he had predicted should be given to those to whom he now ministered." (Teachings Of George Albert Smith)
Additionally, The Book of Mormon is just like the Bible in the sense that it is full of prophets and apostles testifying of Christ. Whether they saw Him, heard His voice, were visited by angels, or had the Holy Ghost testify to their hearts, these righteous men testify of Him. They describe generations of people who both followed Him and rebelled against Him.
The Book of Mormon clarifies questions many have argued for centuries. For example, there are those that refute Jesus' divine origin because "He was born as a little child, cradled in a manger, His mother being Mary and his reputed father Joseph the carpenter. Many have admitted that He was a great and good man, but they have desire to rob Him of the divinity of His birth." (T.O.G.A.S.) This thought is refuted and proved false in the Book of Mormon. In it, we read of Jesus gloriously descending in the clouds heaven, this time as a man, not a little child. As we read accounts of Jesus Christ and his doctrine in the Book of Mormon we clarify who He was/is and what His doctrine is all about.
-Is there any particular example of this in the Book of Mormon that has bolstered your testimony?
(One of my examples would probably be Jesus' love for and understanding of the little children. How He treated them says nearly everything I need to know about our Savior and the love He truly has for us all)
Referring to the Book of Mormon people and their experience with Christ, President Smith said, "Those were not hallucinations, but experiences of such marvelous character as to be remembered forever by those who experienced them. As Latter-day saints we accept this record as evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord."(T.O.G.A.S)
We are also buoyed up by the the powerful testimony of Joseph Smith and subsequent prophets and apostles. Joseph Smith in particular "saw God the Father standing in the clouds of heaven, clothed with glory and Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world, exalted at His right hand, and he heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'This is My Beloved Son, hear Him.'" [ Joseph Smith—History 1:16–17.] President Smith convincingly argues, "To my mind, one of the strongest testimonies of the divinity of the life of our Savior is the testimony of Joseph Smith who laid down his life as a witness of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ."
-Has your testimony of Christ been strengthened by something you heard (or read) a prophet say?
(My example would be the same of President Smith's. Nothing has spoken more powerfully to me than the words of Joseph Smith and the life he so willingly gave as a martyr.)
(My example would be the same of President Smith's. Nothing has spoken more powerfully to me than the words of Joseph Smith and the life he so willingly gave as a martyr.)
Though not specifically mentioned in this lesson, the Doctrine and Covenants certainly fit in the category of testimony building when it comes to our Savior.
-Can anyone share an example of a scripture/story in the Doctrine and Covenants that has spoken to their hearts and built their testimonies?
(My little sister will share her "life changing" scripture)
(My little sister will share her "life changing" scripture)
I also want to remind you (as my sister reminded me) of the amazing document we have from the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles, the Living Christ. Reading it leaves no question in my mind who Christ is and where his doctrine will take us. (I've added the Living Christ to the bottom of this lesson)
(d.) Each of us can gain a personal testimony that Jesus is the Christ
Perhaps one of the more distinguishing characteristics of our faith is our belief in modern revelation. We believe in a prophet who receives revelation for the word but just as important, we believe in receiving personal revelation. It is our right and privilege to receive a witness from the Holy Ghost of whatsoever things are true...including whether or not Jesus is the Christ.
"My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." (John 7:16–17)
This personal testimony is arguably the most powerful as it is "burned into our souls by the power of the Holy Ghost, when we have performed the work that the Lord has said must be performed if we would know that the doctrine be of God or whether it be of man." (T.O.G.A.S)
-What are these things President Smith refers to when speaking of the work that must be performed?
(faith in God, repented of sins, been baptized by immersion and received the Holy Ghost by someone with authority)
(faith in God, repented of sins, been baptized by immersion and received the Holy Ghost by someone with authority)
What a gift we have been given! In a world where anyone can publish a book, compose a website, broadcast "news" etc., we don't have to wonder if we're hearing the truth. We have the Holy Ghost to personally witness to us what is true and what is the cunning of the devil. The Bible, Book of Mormon, and witnesses of the prophets and apostles are all solid, amazing evidences and testimonies of Jesus Christ. BUT we can find our own witness down on our knees, alone, in an intimate conversation with the Lord.
Our mission is to share with all people what we know about Christ
With so many resources for information (with reference to the divinity of the Savior) and opportunities to hear of Christ, we are a minority. Very few of our brothers and sisters have the opportunity to learn as we do. And, it's like every action movie says, "with great power comes great responsibility." It is not only our pleasure, but our duty, our mission to share this Gospel and our testimonies of our Savior Jesus Christ with those around us.
President Smith begs us not to hide our candle under a bushel. "Do not conceal the knowledge God has bestowed upon you from your fellows. Do no annoy them, but do not be unwise enough as to hide from the the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the only power of God unto salvation in the celestial kingdom." (T.O.G.A.S)
Hard as it may be, I think it's important for us to turn our agitation into urgency and excitement when we hear of those who do not think we believe in Christ. And when we come upon someone who is unfamiliar with our Savior, I would hope we'd cautiously, optimistically, and gladly take the time to teach him. When our testimonies are solid, our hearts are full. And when are hearts are full, we are happy. That happiness is ours to share.
"The
happiest men and the happiest women that you know in the world are
those who are conforming their lives to the teachings of the gospel of
Jesus Christ. They are those who have the assurance of eternal life;
they are those who understand the purpose of our being. … As I have
traveled to and fro in the world bearing this message, my soul has been
filled with joy, and my eyes have been dimmed with tears, when I have
seen how perfectly men’s lives may be transformed by the gospel of Jesus
Christ. I have seen those who were discouraged, those who were in
darkness, those who questioned the purpose of their being, and when they
have had taught to them the glorious truths of the gospel of Jesus
Christ, they have changed, they have learned to be happy, to be
contented, to be satisfied, to be enthusiastic in believing and teaching
the gospel that was proclaimed by Jesus Christ when he dwelt upon this
earth and traveled in Galilee.
Brethren
and sisters, the world does not understand that, but it is our mission
to assist them to understand it, and it is not with egotism, it is not
with arrogance, but with charity for all, with loving tenderness, that
this message is sent forth. …" (T.O.G.A.S)
Mine is not nearly as influential or as compelling as President Smith's (I hope you'll go back and read this chapter, he has a very clear and powerful testimony that simply needs to be read word for word) but I will leave you my testimony that Jesus is the Christ. That he is the Son of God, and our brother. He is both he who died on Calvary and He who rose three days later. Jesus Christ is the only name by and which we will be saved. How grateful I am to be one of the small in numbers who was born into this knowledge. I know He loves me, and I love Him.
(Below is the Living Christ)
The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles
"The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles," The Living
Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles, (2000)
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
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).
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).
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).
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).
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.
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
January 1, 2000
The Quorum Of The Twelve
