In January 2000, the fifteen apostles of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints, including the members of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles as well as the three members of
the First Presidency, proclaimed the following message:
As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia
ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the
infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound
an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.
He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah
of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth.
“All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was
made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness.
He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel
was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He
walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and
raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal
existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons
and daughters of God in the life to come. He instituted the sacrament as a
reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on
spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s
cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great
gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.
We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all
human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the
Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of
the world.
He rose from the grave to “become the first fruits of them
that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had
loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in
ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy
Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fullness of
times” (Ephesians 1:10).
Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes
were as a flame of fire: the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his
countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the
sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying
“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he
who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3-4).
Of Him the Prophet also declared: “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, even on the right hand of God; and we heard
the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father –
“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are
and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters
unto God” (D&C 76:22-24).
We declare in the worlds of solemnity that His priesthood
and His Church have been restored upon the earth – “built upon the foundation
of…apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone”
(Ephesians 2:20).
We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the
glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together”
(Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and
every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each
of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and desired of our
hearts.
We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles – that Jesus
is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel,
who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life,
and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this
life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless
gift of His divine Son.
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This holiday season, as we celebrate the birth and life of
our dear Savior, may we emulate His spirit in all we do and declare to those
around us that He lives!
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