“Rejoice in Christ,” New Era, Dec. 2014, 2–5
The Message
Rejoice in Christ
As special witnesses of Jesus Christ, living prophets and apostles share their testimonies of the Savior.
He is Risen, by Del Parson
Jesus Christ, Our Redeemer
“With all my heart and the fervency of my soul, I lift up my voice in testimony as a special witness and declare that God does live. Jesus is His Son, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is our Redeemer; He is our Mediator with the Father. He it was who died on the cross to atone for our sins. He became the firstfruits of the Resurrection. Because He died, all shall live again. ‘Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: “I know that my Redeemer lives!”’ (“I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” Hymns, no. 136).”
President Thomas S. Monson, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives!” Ensign, May 2007, 25.
I Am a Witness
“I am a witness of the Resurrection of the Lord as surely as if I had been there in the evening with the two disciples in the house on Emmaus road. I know that He lives as surely as did Joseph Smith when he saw the Father and the Son in the light of a brilliant morning in a grove of trees in Palmyra. …
“We will on the Day of Judgment stand before the Savior, face to face. It will be a time of joy for those who have drawn close to Him in His service in this life. It will be a joy to hear the words: ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant’ [Matthew 25:21].”
President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, “‘Come unto Me,’” Ensign, May 2013, 25.
Our Hope and Salvation
“Jesus Christ [is] the source of light, life, and love. … He gave us His gospel, a pearl beyond price, the grand key of knowledge that, once understood and applied, unlocks a life of happiness, peace, and fulfillment. …
“I bear my solemn witness that Jesus the Christ lives. He is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. He is the promised Messiah. He lived a perfect life and atoned for our sins. He will ever be at our side. He will fight our battles. He is our hope; He is our salvation; He is the way.”
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “The Way of the Disciple,” Ensign, May 2009, 75, 78.
He Lives
“Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon recorded the following after a sacred experience:
“‘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’ (D&C 76:22–23). Their words are my words. I believe and I am sure that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that He lives. …
“I know the Lord. I am His witness. I know of His great sacrifice and eternal love for all of Heavenly Father’s children. I bear my special witness in all humility but with absolute certainty.”
President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Witness,” Ensign, May 2014, 97.
The Central Figure in Our Doctrine
“Jesus Christ is the central figure in our doctrine as well as in the doctrine of all Christians’ faith. He was more than just sinless, good, and loving. He was more than just a teacher. He ministered on earth as a man, though He was the Son of God. He died, was buried, and rose on the third day to make the atoning sacrifice for all mankind so that death would not hold a permanent power.”
Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Great Plan of Our God” (Brigham Young University devotional, Oct. 30, 2007), 5; speeches.byu.edu.
The Divine Son
“At His First Coming Jesus came almost in secret. Only a few mortals knew of His birth. At His Second Coming the whole of humankind will know of His return. Then He will come, not as ‘a man traveling on the earth’ (D&C 49:22), but His glory ‘shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together’ (Isaiah 40:5; see also D&C 101:23).
“As a special witness of His holy name, I testify that Jesus is the divine Son of the living God. He will love you, lift you, and manifest Himself unto you if you will love Him and keep His commandments.”
Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Christ the Savior Is Born” (Brigham Young University devotional, Dec. 10, 2002), 4–5; speeches.byu.edu.
The Reach and Power of His Atonement
“The Savior teaches that we will have tribulation in the world, but we should ‘be of good cheer’ because He has ‘overcome the world’ (John 16:33). His Atonement reaches and is powerful enough not only to pay the price for sin but also to heal every mortal affliction. …
“He knows of our anguish, and He is there for us. Like the good Samaritan in His parable, when He finds us wounded at the wayside, He binds up our wounds and cares for us (see Luke 10:34). … The healing power of His Atonement is for you, for us, for all.”
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “He Heals the Heavy Laden,” Ensign, Nov. 2006, 6–7.
The Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane
“There is no greater expression of love than the heroic Atonement performed by the Son of God. … Jesus Christ courageously fulfilled this sacrifice in ancient Jerusalem. There in the quiet isolation of the Garden of Gethsemane, He knelt among the gnarled olive trees, and in some incredible way that none of us can fully comprehend, the Savior took upon Himself the sins of the world. Even though His life was pure and free of sin, He paid the ultimate penalty for sin—yours, mine, and everyone who has ever lived.”
Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Atonement and the Value of One Soul,” Ensign, May 2004, 84–85.
Christ in Gethsemane, by Heinrich Hofmann
“Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. … And his sweat was as it were great drops of blood” (Luke 22:42, 44).
Our Guide
“I testify that [the Lord] lives. As you worthily seek His help, He will guide you in your life. I testify of that with every capacity that I possess. Jesus Christ lives. He guides His work on earth. As Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have experiences that are very sacred that allow us to bear our testimony of His name and of His power. I do that with deep conviction. Jesus Christ loves you. He will guide you in your life. In times of great challenge, when you are perplexed about which turn to take, kneel down and ask your Father in Heaven to bless you, and let your faith in the Savior and His Atonement be the rock and foundation of a successful life.”
Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “To Live Well” (Brigham Young University commencement address, Apr. 21, 2011), 7; speeches.byu.edu.
Only Begotten Son
“As a special witness of the Only Begotten Son of our loving Heavenly Father, even Jesus Christ, I testify that God lives. I know He lives. I promise that if you and those you love will seek Him in all humility, sincerity, and diligence, you will know with a surety too. Your witness will come. And the blessings of knowing God will be yours and your family’s forever.”
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Seeking to Know God, Our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 32.
He Will Never Leave Us Alone
“Because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given … because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. … We will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: ‘I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you]’ (John 14:18; see also v. 23).”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “None Were With Him,” Ensign, May 2009, 88.
“Jesus saith unto [Mary], Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God” (John 20:17).
Touch Me Not, by Minerva Teichert
His Infinite and Eternal Sacrifice
“The Savior has suffered not just for our iniquities but also for the inequality, the unfairness, the pain, the anguish, and the emotional distresses that so frequently beset us. There is no physical pain, no anguish of soul, no suffering of spirit, no infirmity or weakness that you or I ever experience during our mortal journey that the Savior did not experience first. … Because He paid the ultimate price and bore that burden, He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy. …
“I declare my witness of and appreciation for the infinite and eternal sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know the Savior lives. I have experienced both His redeeming power and His enabling power, and I testify that these powers are real and available to each of us.”
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality,” Ensign, Apr. 2012, 47.
The Way
“As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I testify that we are all spirit children of a loving Father in Heaven, who wants us to return to His presence. He has provided a way through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, for us to return to Him. It is my privilege and responsibility to be a special witness of Jesus Christ, His Atonement, and His supernal, transcendent mission. Sacred experiences throughout my life allow me to express the overwhelming feelings of love I have for the Savior and to testify that He lives. Of this I bear solemn apostolic witness.”
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Special Witnesses of Christ,” lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/what-are-prophets-testimonies.
Scriptural Witnesses
“I believe the many witnesses of the Savior’s Resurrection whose experiences and testimonies are found in the New Testament—Peter and his companions of the Twelve and dear, pure Mary of Magdala, among others. I believe the testimonies found in the Book of Mormon—of Nephi the Apostle with the unnamed multitude in the land Bountiful, among others. And I believe the testimony of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon who, after many other testimonies, proclaimed the great witness of this last dispensation “that he lives! For we saw him” (D&C 76:22–23). Under the glance of His all-seeing eye, I stand myself as a witness that Jesus of Nazareth is the resurrected Redeemer, and I testify of all that follows from the fact of His Resurrection.”
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 2014, 114.
His Healing Hand
“I bear witness that our Savior can deliver us from our sins. I have personally felt His redeeming power. I have unmistakably seen His healing hand upon thousands in nations throughout the world. I testify that His divine gift removes guilt from our heart and brings peace to our conscience.
“He loves us. We are members of His Church. He invites each of us to repent, turn away from our sins, and come unto Him. I witness that He is there.”
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “‘Repent … That I May Heal You,’” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 43.