2008
How Can I Come to Know Christ?
March 2008


“How Can I Come to Know Christ?” New Era, Mar. 2008, 43

Idea List

How Can I Come to Know Christ?

How well do you know the Savior? Think about the role He plays in your life. Is He a part of your daily activities, or do you think about Him only when it’s time to go to church?

The youth in the La Mirada Ward, Whittier California Stake, realized they can draw closer to the Savior by making small changes in the things they already do every day: praying and reading the scriptures. Adding more depth and sincerity to these activities can help you, too, grow closer to Jesus Christ.

Say Your Prayers

  • Take time to listen when you pray. Imagine having a conversation with a friend who always talks and never lets you respond. Are your prayers ever like that? Instead, try to ponder about your life. Express gratitude. When you ask for help, pause to listen for answers.

  • Make your prayers personal. Amulek taught the Zoramites to pray about everything in their lives, from their families to their fields and their flocks (see Alma 34:17–25). Even if you don’t have flocks and fields to pray over, try praying about your schoolwork or your relationships with your family and friends.

  • Pray often. In fact, the scriptures tell us to “pray always” and, if we can’t pray out loud, to keep a prayer in our hearts (see D&C 10:5; 2 Nephi 32:9; Alma 34:26).

Read the Scriptures

  • Read the Book of Mormon. It’s called “Another Testament of Jesus Christ” for a good reason. It refers to the Savior an average of once every 1.7 verses.

  • Read about His life. The four gospels in the New Testament aren’t meant to be biographies, but these books tell us a lot about the world Jesus lived in and, more importantly, what He is like and what He taught.

  • Read the Savior’s own words. All scripture is the word of God, and some verses are direct quotes. Study His teachings and apply them in your life.

  • Study the Savior’s names and titles. Look up the entry “Christ, Names of,” in the Bible Dictionary. You can read all of the listed verses if you want, or select a name that interests you and read the verses listed next to it. Each name or title tells us something about the Savior’s nature and mission. As you learn about each one, you can gain a deeper understanding of who He is.

Illustrated by Paul Mann