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.
