A testimony of the hope of redemption is something which cannot be measured or counted. Jesus Christ is the source of that hope.
Several
years ago, Sister Packer and I went to Oxford University. We were
looking for the records of my seventh great-grandfather. The head of
Christ’s College at Oxford, Dr. Poppelwell, was kind enough to have the
college archivist bring the records. There in the year 1583 we found my
ancestor’s name, John Packer.
The
following year we returned to Oxford to present a beautifully bound set
of the standard works for the library at Christ’s College. It seemed a
bit awkward for Dr. Poppelwell. Perhaps he thought we were not really
Christians. So he called for the college chaplain to receive the books.
Before
handing the scriptures to the chaplain, I opened the Topical Guide and
showed him one subject: 18 pages, very fine print, single-spaced,
listing references to the subject of “Jesus Christ.” It is one of the
most comprehensive compilations of scriptural references on the subject
of the Savior that has ever been assembled in the history of the world—a
testimony from the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, the
Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
“However
you follow these references,” I told him, “side to side, up and down,
book to book, subject after subject—you will find that they are a
consistent, harmonious witness to the divinity of the mission of the
Lord Jesus Christ—His birth, His life, His teachings, His Crucifixion,
His Resurrection, and His Atonement.”
After
I shared with the chaplain some of the teachings of the Savior, the
atmosphere changed, and he gave us a tour of the facility, including a
recent excavation revealing murals which dated to Roman days.
Among
the references listed in the Topical Guide is this one from the Book of
Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ: “We preach of Christ, we
prophesy of Christ, 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).
In His own words, the Savior has declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
And
from the Book of Mormon, He declares: “Behold, I am he who was prepared
from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am
Jesus Christ. … In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally,
even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons
and my daughters” (Ether 3:14).
There
are many, many other references throughout the standard works which
proclaim the divine role of Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of all who have
ever been or ever will be born into mortality.
Through
the Atonement of Jesus Christ we are all redeemed from the Fall of man,
which occurred when Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit in the
Garden of Eden, as stated in 1 Corinthians: “For as in Adam all die,
even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22).
The
Book of Mormon teaches, “For it is expedient that an atonement should
be made … , or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are
hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be
through the atonement … an infinite and eternal sacrifice” (Alma 34:9–10).
We
may not live perfect lives, and there are penalties for our mistakes,
but before we came to earth, we agreed to be subject to His laws and to
accept the punishment for violating those laws.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23–24).
The
Savior wrought the Atonement, which provides a way for us to become
clean. Jesus Christ is the resurrected Christ. We worship and recognize
Him for the pain He suffered for us collectively and for the pain He
endured for each of us individually, both in the Garden of Gethsemane
and on the cross. He bore all with great humility and with an eternal
understanding of His divine role and purpose.
Those
who will repent and forsake sin will find that His merciful arm is
outstretched still. Those who listen to and heed His words and the words
of His chosen servants will find peace and understanding even in the
midst of great heartache and sorrow. The result of His sacrifice is to
free us from the effects of sin, that all may have guilt erased and feel
hope.
Had
He not accomplished the Atonement, there would be no redemption. It
would be a difficult world to live in if we could never be forgiven for
our mistakes, if we could never purify ourselves and move on.
The
mercy and grace of Jesus Christ are not limited to those who commit
sins either of commission or omission, but they encompass the promise of
everlasting peace to all who will accept and follow Him and His
teachings. His mercy is the mighty healer, even to the wounded innocent.
I
recently received a letter from a woman who reported having endured
great suffering in her life. A terrible wrong, which she did not
identify but alluded to, had been committed against her. She admitted
that she struggled with feelings of great bitterness. In her anger, she
mentally cried out, “Someone must pay for this terrible wrong.” In this
extreme moment of sorrow and questioning, she wrote that there came into
her heart an immediate reply: “Someone already has paid.”
If
we are not aware of what the Savior’s sacrifice can do for us, we may
go through life carrying regrets that we have done something that was
not right or offended someone. The guilt that accompanies mistakes can
be washed away. If we seek to understand His Atonement, we will come to a
deep reverence for the Lord Jesus Christ, His earthly ministry, and His
divine mission as our Savior.
The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored to move
throughout the world the knowledge of the life and teachings of the
Savior. This great conference is being broadcast in 94 languages by
satellite to 102 countries but is also available on the Internet to
every nation where the Church is present.
We have over 3,000 stakes. Our
full-time missionary force exceeds 88,000, and total Church membership
has passed 15 million. These numbers serve as evidence that the “stone
which is cut out of the mountain without hands” continues to roll forth
and will eventually fill “the whole earth” (D&C 65:2).
But
no matter how large the organization of the Church becomes or how many
millions of members join our ranks, no matter how many continents and
countries our missionaries enter or how many different languages we
speak, the true success of the gospel of Jesus Christ will be measured
by the spiritual strength of its individual members. We need the
strength of conviction that is found in the heart of every loyal
disciple of Christ.
A testimony of the hope of redemption is something which cannot be measured or counted. Jesus Christ is the source of that hope.
We
seek to strengthen the testimonies of the young and old, the married
and single. We need to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to men, women,
and children, those of every race and nationality, the rich and the
poor. We need the recent convert and those among our numbers descended
from the pioneers. We need to seek out those who have strayed and assist
them to return to the fold. We need everyone’s wisdom and insight and
spiritual strength. Each member of this Church as an individual is a
critical element of the body of the Church.
“For
as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that
one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body. …
“For the body is not one member, but many” (1 Corinthians 12:12–14).
Each
member serves as a testimony of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
We are at war with the forces of the adversary, and we need each and
every one of us if we are going to succeed in the work the Savior has
for us to do.
You might think, “What can I do? I am only one person.”
Certainly
Joseph Smith felt very alone at times. He rose to greatness, but he
started as a 14-year-old boy who had a question: “Which of all the
churches should I join?” (see Joseph Smith–History 1:10).
Joseph’s faith and testimony of the Savior grew as ours must grow,
“line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little”
(2 Nephi 28:30; see also D&C 128:21). Joseph knelt to pray, and what marvelous things have come about as a result of that prayer and the First Vision.
As
one of the Twelve Apostles, I bear witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. He
lives. He is our Redeemer and our Savior. “Through the Atonement of
Christ, all mankind may be saved” (Articles of Faith 1:3).
He presides over this Church. He is no stranger to His servants. As we
move into the future with quiet confidence, His Spirit will be with us.
There is no end to His power to bless and direct the lives of those who
seek truth and righteousness. I bear witness of Him in the name of Jesus
Christ, amen.
© 2014 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All Rights Reserved
WHAT I HEARD:
- Family History work is important for everyone to be involved in.
- A great missionary tool is to show people the topical guide entry for Jesus Christ: "It is one of the most comprehensive compilations of scriptural references on the subject of the Savior that has ever been assembled in the history of the world."
- How will your children know the Savior if we don't talk about him, teach about him, or write about him?
- Jesus Christ - there is - no. other. way.
- Through the atonement ALL will live again and all MAY be forgiven of their sins.
- We agreed to the conditions of mortality before we came here.
- Jesus suffered for us collectively and individually. It is the individual suffering that makes him qualified to say he knows you.
- Christ's mercy can heal the wounded innocent.
- Nothing can stop the work of the Lord.
- Just like the Savior did "His work" one by one; the strength of the church rests on each one of us. (see the "honey bee" talk here)
- Everyone needs the gospel.
- The church needs everyone.
- Jesus Christ leads this church.
- Christ is no stranger to His servants; any of them.
- The church will move into the future with quiet confidence.
- What may be coming and how to prepare:
- More accusations that we are not Christian
- Increase your testimony of Christ
- Judgement is coming for unrepented sins
- Repent/accept/follow Christ
- Great heartache and sorrow
- Listen to /heed the words of Christ and His prophets
- Innocent people will be wounded
- Have faith and accept Christ as the mighty healer
- Individual conviction will be tested
- Strengthen your faith in and testimony of Christ
- The war with Satan continues
- Let your life be a testimony of Christ
- Righteousness will increase among true followers of Christ
- Christ will continue to lead the church with power as we seek His truth and righteousness
WHAT I WILL DO:
- Set aside a regular time to do Family History research
- Read "The Infinite Atonement" to deepen my reverence for the Lord's life and mission
- Study the "honey bee" talk
- Pray to find someone to rescue and act in faith
- Grow my testimony by acting on promptings until I can say that "Christ is no stranger" to me
- Have faith that God will bless and direct my life by seeking truth and righteousness through prayer.
- Move into the future with quiet confidence.
- Heed the words of the scriptures/prophets
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