Jesus Christ

An Old Testament Woman of Faith In the Old Testament there is a wonderful story of a faithful woman – Rebekah, wife of Isaac, son of Abraham.  In Genesis 25, it recounts that Rebekah was barren.  Through her and Isaac’s faith, she conceived two twin sons.   During her pregnancy she felt concerned because of the struggle of the children in her womb: “22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord.” And she received her answer.  The Lord told her that her two sons would be two separate nations, one ruling over the other. This story is one of Christianity’s earliest examples of simple, but powerful, faith in action.  Rebekah’s husband was the prophet of God, His messenger on earth.  And yet, Rebekah took this matter about her life directly to The Lord.  This account is a really beautiful way for us to remember that God is watching over us and that with... Read the rest of this entry »

Most religions have a founder or leader. Some consider this leader holy and some consider him (or her) mortal but inspired. Jesus Christ is the heart of Christianity. He is the only begotten son of God, the Father and the Firstborn of the Father: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14, King James translation of the Bible) Christians know Jesus Christ to be their personal Savior. This was a voluntary decision on His part. He knew that when we came to Earth, we would not be able, as fully mortal beings, to live the perfect life required in order for us to return home to God. Although justice requires perfection, mercy allows someone to take our sins on Himself and suffer for them. This person had to be a perfect being who voluntarily agreed to the sacrifice of his life. Jesus Christ was the only person who could volunteer for this assignment,... Read the rest of this entry »

All Christian churches have the same goal: to bring people closer to the Savior, Jesus Christ. The goal is the same, but some of the doctrines and teachings are different. The scriptures teach, “Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). If this is true, then why are there so many Christian churches today, by some estimates, nearly 40,000? Elder Russell M. Nelson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said in October 2012: When the Savior, Jesus Christ, walked upon the earth, “He organized His Church. He called Apostles, Seventies, and other leaders to whom He gave priesthood authority to act in His name. After Christ and His Apostles passed away, men changed the ordinances and doctrine. The original Church and the priesthood were lost.” Jesus Christ built His Church on a foundation of apostles and prophets, with Himself as the head.  (See Ephesians... Read the rest of this entry »

Christianity is centered upon a belief in Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten Son of God, and that He is our Creator, Savior, and Redeemer. Central to Christianity is the knowledge that we are in a lost and fallen state. We are separated from God both physically and spiritually. Jesus Christ, by suffering for our sins and giving His own life in sacrifice, has overcome both physical and spiritual death. Christ was the “first fruits” of the resurrection, in that He was the first person to rise from the dead with a perfect, resurrected body. Because of this, we all will be resurrected at some point after we die. Resurrected bodies are perfect. They do not suffer hunger, fatigue, disease or death, but live forever in radiant health. Thus, Christ has overcome the grave. Our spiritual separation from God is caused by our unworthiness to stand in His presence. We are all imperfect. We are sinners. God is our judge. When we sin, we deserve punishment, but Christ... Read the rest of this entry »

In this world full of trouble, sin, hardship and challenges, it would seem that there is no hope. That there is nothing to hold on to or rely on. But I testify that this is not true. The Lord Jesus Christ came down to this earth and took upon himself our pains, sins, sufferings and death. He made it possible for all wrongs to be made right. Because of Him we will all be resurrected from the dead. Because of Him we can find peace even in the most difficult and distressing times of our life. It is through the gospel of Jesus Christ that we can find safety for the soul and peace. In the Book of Mormon, a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the American continent, it testifies of Jesus Christ and His mission. It says: And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will... Read the rest of this entry »

The Gospel of Matthew reports that Pilate’s wife said to him, “Have thou nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him” (Matthew 27:19). This report may have found its way into the Gospels from a variety of different channels such as rumor, legend, or secondhand testimony. Some early Christians proposed that this report represents firsthand knowledge on the part of the evangelist; and therefore Pilate’s wife, or even Pilate himself must have converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The tradition of Pilate converting to Christianity has a complicated history that begins in the latter half of the second century when Irenaeus (A.D. 130-200) and Tertullian (A.D. 160-220) reported that added knowledge could be found in extracanonical documents about Jesus’ trial before Pilate and that Pilate had written personally to the emperor Tiberius about Jesus. These passing references... Read the rest of this entry »