| Finding Faith in Christ A new Church film, included as a DVD with this Ensign, is meant to be shared
with neighbors and friends.
Thomas, the Lord’s Apostle, knew. Though
many think of him as one who doubted, he overcame his doubt. As one who saw
the resurrected Savior, Thomas
bore testimony that helped others find faith in the Lord and believe in the
gospel.
You also know. Though at times you may wish you were stronger or wiser, you
too have a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. You want to share it so much
that sometimes you feel you could almost burst. You know the gospel would bless
your neighbors, but how can you express what you feel?
A new Church film may help.
Included with this issue of the Ensign for subscribers
in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand
is a free DVD of the
film Finding Faith in Christ. It portrays events from the life of Christ as
recalled by Thomas. Through his eyes, viewers come to understand how he found
faith in the Savior and how each of us can find that same faith. The film has
been prepared to coincide with an Easter television advertising campaign in
North America directed toward those who are not members of the Church. Viewers
are invited to “ask a Mormon neighbor” for a free copy. The DVD
can be given away or loaned, or you can invite others into your home to watch
it.
“For the first time we are combining the power of members and missionaries
with media to help the world understand what we know about the Savior,” said
Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “It is
our hope that if members are asked about Finding Faith in Christ, they will
share
the DVD they received. We also hope that sharing the DVD will give members
the opportunity to express their feelings about the Savior. Since so many people
will learn of the film from our television ads, members may want to approach
friends or family who are not of our faith and ask them if they would like
to
see it. We hope members will prayerfully consider how and with whom to share
it.”
Elder Ballard also suggested that members and
missionaries could work together when sharing the film with those who are
not members of the Church: “All
missionaries in the United States and Canada will have copies of the TV ads,
and members can get better acquainted with their local missionaries by asking
to see the ads.” Priesthood leaders in the United States and Canada
will also receive a copy of the DVD.
This advertising campaign marks the first time
viewers have been invited to speak to their Latter-day Saint neighbors rather
than to simply call a
telephone
number (although a toll-free number is also provided). Church members can
order additional English DVDs or VHS videocassettes from local distribution
centers.
Members may also provide interested neighbors and associates with pass-along
cards that offer a free videocassette. See “For Additional Copies” for
further information.
The film portrays Thomas visiting with a family in their home. Most are believers,
but one man, Jonah, is doubtful. As Jonah wonders and worries out loud, Thomas
provides a reassuring voice of comfort.
“
Must faith always be blind?” Jonah asks.
“Without faith, Jonah, even seeing is not enough,” Thomas
replies.
Events from the life of the Savior are presented
as Thomas recalls what he personally experienced. These events include portrayals
of Christ healing
the sick, raising the dead, teaching the disciples, and answering those who
accused
Him. Also depicted are His trial, the prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane,
the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and His subsequent appearance to Mary,
to others,
and to the Apostles. The resurrected Savior calls Thomas forward to feel
the wounds in his hands and in His feet and asks him to “be not faithless,
but believing.”
“Because thou has seen me, thou hast believed,” the Savior tells
Thomas. “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (see
John 20:27, 29).
In response to Thomas’s testimony of the Savior, Jonah says, “Almost
I wish I could believe.”
“You can Jonah, you can,” Thomas replies, “and
because He lives, we too shall live, all of us. All of us.”
Just as Thomas did, we can bear testimony of the
Savior based on what we have felt, seen, and heard. We can share with our
neighbors the wonderful
truth
that “because He lives, we too shall live, all of us.” As
members of the Church, we are blessed with the additional testimony
of the living Christ
that comes because of the Restoration of the gospel through the Prophet
Joseph Smith. We have the privilege of sharing this glorious message
with our neighbors
and friends.
FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES
Additional copies of Finding Faith in Christ, DVD (item no. 54041) and VHS
(item no. 53668), are available for purchase through distribution centers,
on the Internet at www.ldscatalog.com, or by calling 801-240-3800 (in the Salt
Lake City area) or 1-800-537-5971 (in the United States and Canada only). Pass-along
cards (item no. 36589) offering the VHS videocassette are available. Members
may use these cards to invite friends and associates to call for their own
free copy. |
