We are not left alone on this earth. Jesus Christ was sent to this earth to give us the strength to overcome challenges, problems, and sin. To overcome sin. He asks us to look to Him with faith that He knows what is best for us. There is a pathway that the Lord Jesus Christ has provided for us so that we might be able to find peace in this life and eternal life in the next life. He has given us the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord prospers all those who follow the gospel of Jesus Christ. In The Book of Mormon, a record of the teachings of Jesus Christ that God gave to the ancient inhabitants of the American continent, it says:

And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

In the Holy Bible Jesus Christ said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34).” I have found that some of my greatest joys in life come from serving other people. As I try to show the love for others as the Savior did for me, He blesses me with peace, and He helps me love others even more. I know that true happiness only comes to those who seek to love and serve God and all His children. Listen to these words of a modern day apostle of Jesus Christ.

Additional Resources:

Get a free copy of the Holy Bible.

Read a modern apostles words on becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ at the official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths, the “Mormon Church”).

Learn about how a belief in Jesus Christ can help you.

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 take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

I testify that Jesus Christ lives and that because He lives, we don’t need to be afraid. When we turn our lives to Him we can feel of His love and power and strength. I have felt this strength when I put my trust in Him and follow the gospel that He has given to all of us so that we might find peace.

Additional Resources:

Find a church meetinghouse.

Learn more about the peace that Jesus Christ has to offer us at an official website for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called by friends of other faiths, the “Mormon Church”).

Learn more about God’s plan of happiness for us in this life and the next life.

Robert Millet, long-time religious faculty member of Brigham Young University, and Gerald McDermott, Evangelical spokesperson and theologian, have modeled in conversation how those embracing two different spiritual viewpoints can dialog civilly about their respective beliefs.  Having lectured around the country contrasting Mormonism and Evangelical tenets, Bob and Gerald have maintained a close and meaningful friendship, and have striven to attain a deeper understanding of each other’s faith and beliefs.

For over 180 years, Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) have unequivocally declared their central belief in the atoning mission of Jesus Christ and their pivotal belief in the Savior as Redeemer and Head of His Church, and yet, for so long, this notion has been frequently disavowed or simply missed by the collective public.  In light of this ongoing misperception, it is refreshing to hear what Gerald McDermott shares in this regard:

I’m afraid I am one of those who has misunderstood and misrepresented Mormons. . . . I mistreated a distinguished Mormon historian when he came to speak to my class more than a decade ago. Besides treating him rudely, I did not understand how central Jesus Christ was to his faith and to the LDS Church [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] generally.  As I remember it, I suspected he wasn’t telling me the whole truth when he insisted he was trusting in Jesus for his salvation, and I suggested as much to my class by my repeated counter-assertions and questions.

I have since learned that, as Professor Millet demonstrates in the preceding essay, Jesus Christ is indeed at the center point of Mormon faith. As I have learned from my own reading of the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ is central to the story, and this centrality is epitomized by 2 Nephi 25:26: ‘We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Chirst and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins (2 Nephi 25:26).’ That verse alone says a lot–that Christ is at the center of Nephi’s consciousness, and it is through Christ that he seeks forgiveness of his sins.  I will suggest [later in this discussion] that the Mormon view of Jesus Chrsit is different from that of evangelicals and other orthodox Christians, but the fact remains that Christ is central to LDS consciousness. I am struck by Susan Black’s calculation that Christ or his ministry is mentioned on the average of every 1.7 verses in the Book of Mormon.

While Mormons testify that their salvation is in fact only in and through Christ, the Christ in whom Mormons believe has characteristic differences from the Christ described from the pulpit, at least, of other religious denominations. Mormons claim that Christ’s appearance in our day provides additional revelation on who He is and what He expects of each of us.

As a starting point for a discussion about the two faiths, though, McDermott agrees with Professor Millet that Jesus is God and is the only way to salvation, but then adds this caveat, as Mormons would– “although evangelicals and Mormons disagree on what these things mean.”

For more of what Mormons believe about the nature and character of Jesus Christ, see upcoming posts. Feel free to share your questions with visitors to this site in the forums on this site, or to contact us directly.

Source:

Claiming Christ, Robert L. Millet & Gerald R. McDermott, Brazos Press: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, 55-60.

Additional Reading:

Mormon Beliefs

Mormon Wikipedia

Official Site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Mormon” Church)