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The Testimony of Jesus Christ and seeing the Savior

The Prophet Joseph Smith was often asked, “What are the fundamental principles of your religion?” He replied

“The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007) page 49.

See the scriptures in the study “The Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ”

See March 2008 Ensign

Index The Testimony and Authority of Jesus Christ from the Scriptures Paul’s Testimony of Jesus Christ

David B. Haight, “The Sacrament—and the Sacrifice,” Ensign, Nov 1989

Dallin H. Oaks, “‘What Think Ye of Christ?’” Ensign, Nov 1988

The Testimony of the Apostles-The Living Christ” The Testimony of the Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," “Ensign, Apr. 2000

Testimony of President Gordon B. Hinckley

Testimony of Elder Boyd K. Packer

Testimony of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Oct 2007 General conference

President Joseph Fielding Smith April 1956 General Conference

President David O’ McKay Improvement era June 1951 President Spencer W. Kimball President Heber J. Grant President Wilford Woodruff

Testimony of Elder Russell M. Nelson Ensign Nov 2005

“Elias: An Epic of the Ages,” by Elder Orson F. Whitney

“Invictus” William Ernest Henley- Elder Orson F. Whitney replied with these lines

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President David O McKay vision of the Eternal City

Elder Orson F. Whitney’s Vision of the Savior Testimony of Elder Melvin J. Ballard given the day he was ordained an Apostle Heavenly Manifestation to Heber Q. Hale Oct 1920-Visit to Spirit World

Elder George F. Richards sees the Saviour

George Q. Cannon sees the Saviour

Newell Knight sees the Saviour-First General Conference 9 June 1830 DHC 1:84/85

Frederick G. Williams sees the Saviour at dedication of the Kirtland Temple

Zebedee Coltrin and John Murdock see the Saviour at the School of the Prophets

Appearance of the Saviour to Lorenzo Snow Ensign August 1975 “He lives for we saw Him”

Appearance of the Saviour to Alfred Douglas Young

Appearance of the Saviour to Alexander Neibau

My Personal Testimony of Jesus Christ

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The Testimony and Authority of Jesus Christ from the Scriptures D&C 1:6-7: “Behold, this is mine authority, and the authority of my servants, and my preface unto the book of my commandments, which I have given them to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth; Wherefore, fear and tremble, O ye people, for what I the Lord have decreed in them shall be fulfilled.” D&C 1:24, 31, 34-35, 38: “Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding….. For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance… And again, verily I say unto you, O inhabitants of the earth: I the Lord am willing to make these things known unto all flesh; for I am no respecter of persons… What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled… For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever. Amen.” D&C 6: 2, 21, 37: “Behold, I am God; give heed unto my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my words.”

“Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the Light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.”

“Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.”

D&C 10:57-58, 70: “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not.. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not………. And now, remember the words of Him who is the Life and Light of the world, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Amen.” D&C 14:9: “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who created the heavens and the earth, a light which cannot be hid in darkness”

D&C 18:11-12: “For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore He suffered the pain of all men that all men might repent and come unto Him. And He hath risen again from the dead that He might bring all men unto Him, on conditions of repentance.”

D&C 19:16-19: “For behold, I God have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; but if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; which suffering caused myself, even God the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit and would that I might not drink the bitter cup and shrink. Nevertheless glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men”

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D&C 19:1, 24: “I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; yea, even I am He, the Beginning and the End, the Redeemer of the world…… I am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of the Father, and I do His will.”

D&C 20:16-25: “For the Lord God has spoken it; and we, the elders of the church, have heard and bear witness to the words of the glorious Majesty on High, to whom be glory forever and ever. By these things we know that there is a God in Heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them; And that he created man, male and female, after his own image and in his own likeness, created he them; And gave unto them commandments that they should love and serve Him, the only living and true God, and that he should be the only being whom they should worship. But by the transgression of these holy laws man became sensual and devilish, and became fallen man. Wherefore, the Almighty God gave his Only Begotten Son, as it is written in those scriptures which have been given of Him. He suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them. He was crucified, died, and rose again the third day; And ascended into heaven, to sit down on the right hand of the Father, to reign with Almighty power according to the will of the Father; That as many as would believe and be baptized in his holy name, and endure in faith to the end, should be saved.”

D&C 20:77, 79: “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread/water to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may

• In remembrance of the body of thy Son, • In remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them • They are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, • And always remember Him • And keep His commandments which he has given them;

That they may always have His Spirit to be with them

D&C 27:1: “Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God, and your Redeemer, whose word is quick and powerful. For behold I say unto you….

D&C 29:1: “Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I Am, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins.

D&C 31:13: “These words are not of man nor of men, but of me, even Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, by the will of the Father. Amen. D&C 31:13 D&C 34:1-3: “MY son …., hearken and hear and behold what I, the Lord God, shall say unto you, even Jesus Christ your Redeemer; The Light and the Life of the world, a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not; Who so loved the world that he gave His own life, that as many as would believe might become the Sons of God. Wherefore you are my son; D&C 35:1-2: “Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever. I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even

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as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one.” D&C 38:1-4, 7-8: “Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I AM, Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made; The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes; I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me. I am the same which have taken the Zion of Enoch into mine own bosom; and verily, I say, even as many as have believed in my name, for I am Christ, and in mine own name, by the virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I pleaded before the Father for them……But behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me; But the day soon cometh that ye shall see me, and know that I am; for the veil of darkness shall soon be rent, and he that is not purified shall not abide the day.” D&C 39:1-4: “Hearken and listen to the voice of Him who is from eternity to all eternity, the Great I Am, even Jesus Christ-The light and Life of the world; a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not; The same which came in the meridian of time unto mine own, and mine own received me not; But to as many as received me, gave I power to become my sons; and even so will I give unto as many as will receive me, power to become my sons.” D&C 43:34: “Hearken ye to these words, Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. Treasure these things up in your hearts, and let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds.” D&C 45:1-5, 8-11: “Hearken, O ye people of my Church, to whom the Kingdom has been given; hearken ye and give ear to Him who laid the foundations of the earth, who made the heavens and all the hosts thereof, and by whom all things were made which live, and move, and have a being. And again I say, hearken unto my voice, lest death shall overtake you; in an hour when ye think not, the summer shall be past, and the harvest ended, and your souls not saved. Listen to Him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before Him; saying ‘Father, behold the sufferings and death of Him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of Him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have Everlasting Life……

For verily I say unto you that I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Light and the Life of the world--a light that shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not. I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not; but unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles, and to become the sons of God; and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life. And even so I have sent mine everlasting covenant into the world, to be a light to the world, and to be a standard for my people, and for the Gentiles to seek to it, and to be a messenger before my face to prepare the way before me. Wherefore, come ye unto it, and with him that cometh I will reason as with men in days of old, and I will show unto you my strong reasoning. Wherefore, hearken ye together and let me show unto you even my wisdom--the wisdom of Him whom ye say is the God of Enoch, and his brethren.”

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D&C 45:47, 51-52: “Then shall the arm of the Lord fall upon the nations…… And then shall the Jews look upon me and say: What are these wounds in thine hands and in thy feet? Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God.”

D&C 46:13-14: “To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.”

D&C 49:5-6: Thus saith the Lord; for I am God, and have sent mine Only Begotten Son into the world for the redemption of the world, and have decreed that he that receiveth Him shall be saved, and he that receiveth Him not shall be damned--And they have done unto the Son of Man even as they listed; and He has taken His power on the right hand of His glory, and now reigneth in the heavens, and will reign till He descends on the earth to put all enemies under His feet, which time is nigh at hand..”

D&C 49:12-14: “Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus, who was on the earth, and is to come, the Beginning and the End; Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the holy commandment, for the remission of sins; And whoso doeth this shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands of the elders of the church.”

D&C 50:43-45: “And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you. Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the Good Shepherd, and the Stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall. And the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I AM.”

D&C 54:1: “Behold, thus saith the Lord, even Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, even He who was crucified for the sins of the world..”

D&C 60:4: “For I, the Lord, rule in the heavens above, and among the armies of the earth; and in the day when I shall make up my jewels, all men shall know what it is that bespeaketh the power of God.”

D&C 61:1-2: “Behold, and hearken unto the voice of Him who has all power, who is from everlasting to everlasting, even Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. Behold verily thus saith the Lord unto you, O ye elders of my church….” D&C 62:9: “Behold, the kingdom is yours. And behold, and lo, I am with the faithful always. Even so”

D&C 63:58-61: “For this is a day of warning, and not a day of many words. For I, the Lord, am not to be mocked in the last days. Behold, I am from above, and my power lieth beneath. I am over all, and in all, and through all, and search all things, and the day cometh that all things shall be subject unto me. Behold, I am Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ.

D&C 65:1: “Hearken, and lo, a voice as of one sent down from on high, who is mighty and powerful, whose going forth is unto the ends of the earth, yea, whose voice is unto men--Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

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D&C 66:12-13: “Continue in these things even unto the end, and you shall have a crown of eternal life at the right hand of my Father, who is full of grace and truth. Verily, thus saith the Lord your God, your Redeemer, even Jesus Christ.” Amen.

D&C 67:1-2, 4: “Behold and hearken, O ye elders of my church, who have assembled yourselves together, whose prayers I have heard, and whose hearts I know, and whose desires have come up before me. Behold and lo, mine eyes are upon you, and the heavens and the earth are in mine hands, and the riches of eternity are mine to give……And now I, the Lord, give unto you a testimony of the truth of these commandments which are lying before you.”

D&C 68:6, 34-35: “Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come….(34) These sayings are true and faithful; wherefore, transgress them not, neither take therefrom. Behold, I am Alpha and Omega, and I come quickly.” Amen.

D&C 75:1: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I who speak even by the voice of my Spirit, even Alpha and Omega, your Lord and your God...”

D&C 76:1-5: “Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth, and rejoice ye inhabitants thereof, for the Lord is God, and beside Him there is no Savior. Great is His wisdom; marvelous are His ways, and the extent of His doings none can find out. His purposes fail not; neither are there any who can stay His hand. From eternity to eternity He is the same, and His years never fail. For thus saith the Lord--I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.

D&C 76:13-14: “Even those things which were from the beginning before the world was, which were ordained of the Father, through his Only Begotten Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, even from the beginning; Of whom we bear record; and the record which we bear is the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the Son, whom we saw and with whom we conversed in the heavenly vision.”

D&C 76:19-24: “And while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, and the glory of the Lord shone round about. And we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of his fulness; And saw the Holy Angels, and them who are sanctified before His throne, worshiping God, and the Lamb, who worship Him forever and ever. 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 76:40-43: “And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us--That He came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; That through Him all might be saved whom the Father had put into His power and made by Him; Who glorifies the Father, and saves all the works”

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D&C 76:114: “But great and marvelous are the works of the Lord, and the mysteries of His Kingdom which he showed unto us, which surpass all understanding in glory, and in might, and in dominion.”

D&C 81:7: “Behold, and lo, these are the words of Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ. Amen”

D&C 84:119: “For I, the Lord, have put forth my hand to exert the powers of heaven; ye cannot see it now, yet a little while and ye shall see it, and know that I am, and that I will come and reign with my people.”

D&C 88:5-13: “….Through Jesus Christ his Son-He that ascended up on high, as also He descended below all things, in that He comprehended all things, that He might be in all and through all things, the Light of Truth; Which truth shineth. This is the Light of Christ. As also He is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made. As also He is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made; As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made; And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand. And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through Him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space-- The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the Law by which all things are governed, even the Power of God who sitteth upon His Throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.”

D&C 88:45-50: “The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun giveth his light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also give their light, as they roll upon their wings in their glory, in the midst of the power of God. Unto what shall I liken these kingdoms that ye may understand? Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in His majesty and power. I say unto you, he hath seen Him; nevertheless, He who came unto his own was not comprehended. The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God, being quickened in Him and by Him. Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I am the true light that is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise ye could not abound. D&C 88:45-50

D&C 93:7-17: “And he bore record, saying: I saw His glory, that he was in the beginning, before the world was; Therefore, in the beginning the Word was, for He was the Word, even the messenger of salvation-- The light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth, who came into the world, because the world was made by Him, and in Him was the life of men and the light of men. The worlds were made by Him; men were made by Him; all things were made by Him, and through Him, and of Him. And I, John, bear record that I beheld His glory, as the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, even the Spirit of truth, which came and dwelt in the flesh, and dwelt among us. And I, John, saw that He received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace; and he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until He received a fulness; And thus He was called the Son of God, because He received not of the fulness at the first. And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon Him in the form of a dove, and sat upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying: This is my beloved Son. And I, John, bear record that He received a fulness of the glory of the Father;

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and He received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with Him, for He dwelt in Him. And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John.” See D&C 66:12

D&C 110:1-5: “The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened. We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under His feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber. 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. Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice.” (One week following dedication of Kirtland Temple)

D&C 133:1-3: “Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the Lord your God, and hear the word of the Lord concerning you-- The Lord who shall suddenly come to His Temple; the Lord who shall come down upon the world with a curse to judgment; yea, upon all the nations that forget God, and upon all the ungodly among you. For He shall make bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of their God.”

D&C 133:25: “And the Lord, even the Savior, shall stand in the midst of His people, and shall reign over all flesh.

D&C 133:45-53: “For since the beginning of the world have not men heard nor perceived by the ear, neither hath any eye seen, O God, besides thee, how great things thou hast prepared for him that waiteth for thee. And it shall be said: Who is this that cometh down from God in heaven with dyed garments; yea, from the regions which are not known, clothed in His glorious apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength? And He shall say: I am He who spake in righteousness, mighty to save. And the Lord shall be red in His apparel, and His garments like Him that treadeth in the wine-vat. And so great shall be the glory of His presence that the sun shall hide his face in shame, and the moon shall withhold its light, and the stars shall be hurled from their places. And His voice shall be heard: I have trodden the wine-press alone, and have brought judgment upon all people; and none were with me; And I have trampled them in my fury, and I did tread upon them in mine anger, and their blood have I sprinkled upon my garments, and stained all my raiment; for this was the day of vengeance which was in my heart. And now the year of my redeemed is come; and they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord, and all that He has bestowed upon them according to His goodness, and according to His loving kindness, forever and ever. In all their afflictions He was afflicted. And the angel of His presence saved them; and in His love, and in His pity, He redeemed them, and bore them, and carried them all the days of old;

Moses 1:4-5: “And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease. Wherefore, no man can behold all my works, except he behold all my glory; and no man can behold all my glory, and afterwards remain in the flesh on the earth.”

Moses 1:11, 13-1: “But now mine own eyes have beheld God; but not my natural, but my spiritual eyes, for my natural eyes could not have beheld; for I should have withered and died

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in his presence; but his glory was upon me; and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him...... Moses looked upon Satan and said: Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy glory, that I should worship thee? For behold, I could not look upon God, except his glory should come upon me, and I were transfigured before him. But I can look upon thee in the natural man. Is it not so, surely?

Moses 1:25, 29-33: “And calling upon the name of God, he beheld His glory again, for it was upon him; and he heard a voice, saying: Blessed art thou, Moses, for I, the Almighty, have chosen thee…. (29) And he beheld many lands; and each land was called earth, and there were inhabitants on the face thereof. And it came to pass that Moses called upon God, saying: Tell me, I pray thee, why these things are so, and by what thou madest them? And behold, the glory of the Lord was upon Moses, so that Moses stood in the presence of God, and talked with Him face to face. And the Lord God said unto Moses: For mine own purpose have I made these things. Here is wisdom and it remaineth in me. And by the word of my power, have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth. And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten.”

Moses 1:35-39: “But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you. For behold, there are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my power. And there are many that now stand, and innumerable are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them. And it came to pass that Moses spake unto the Lord, saying: Be merciful unto thy servant, O God, and tell me concerning this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, and also the heavens, and then thy servant will be content. And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying: The heavens, they are many, and they cannot be numbered unto man; but they are numbered unto me, for they are mine. And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come; and there is no end to my works, neither to my words. For behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and Eternal Life of man.”

Moses 7:29-30, 32, 36: “And Enoch said unto the Lord: How is it that thou canst weep, seeing thou art Holy, and from all eternity to all eternity? And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thou art there, and thy bosom is there; and also thou art just; thou art merciful and kind forever……. (32) The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them……(36) Wherefore, I can stretch forth mine hands and hold all the creations which I have made; and mine eye can pierce them also, and among all the workmanship of mine hands there has not been so great wickedness as among thy brethren.”

Abraham 3:11-12: “Thus I, Abraham, talked with the Lord, face to face, as one man talketh with another; and He told me of the works which His hands had made; And He said unto me: My son, my son (and his hand was stretched out), behold I will show you all these. And he put his hand upon mine eyes, and I saw those things which His hands had made, which were many; and they multiplied before mine eyes, and I could not see the end thereof.”

Joseph Smith–History 1:17: “It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose

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brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other--This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”

Matthew 16:13-17: ““When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, ‘Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?’ And they said, ‘Some [say that thou art] John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.’ He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, ‘Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in Heaven.”

John 1:1-5, 9-12, 14, 16: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: …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…..And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.”

John 1:49: “Nathanael answered and saith unto Him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.”

John 10:25: “Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.”

John 10:37-38: “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and believe that the Father [is] in me, and I in him.”

John 14:5-6: “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Revelations 1:13-17: “And in the midst of the seven candlesticks [one] like unto the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and [His] hairs [were] white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes [were] as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. …And out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and His countenance [was] as the sun shineth in His strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last….”

Revelations 19:11-16: “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.

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His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He himself. And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in Heaven followed Him up the white horse, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations….And He hath on His vesture and o His thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.”

Exodus 24:15-18: “And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. And the glory of the Lord abode upon Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. And the sight of the glory of the Lord [was] like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.”

Daniel 10:4-7: “And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which [is] Hiddekel; Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins [were] girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also [was] like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of His words like the voice of a multitude. And I Daniel alone saw the vision.”

Isaiah chapter 6 1-5, 8-9 See 2 Nephi 16: “In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphim; each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said: Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of Him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I: Wo is unto me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips; and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts….Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said: Here am I; send me. And He said: Go and tell this people--Hear ye indeed, but they understood not; and see ye indeed, but they perceived not.”

Ezekiel 1:26-28: “And above the firmament that [was] over their heads [was] the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne [was] the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so [was] the appearance of the brightness round about. This [was] the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw [it], I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.”

1 Nephi 1:8-10: “And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God. And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of the sun at noon-day. And he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament.

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1 Nephi 11:6-7, 13, 18-21, 24, 27-29, 32-33: “And when I had spoken these words, the Spirit cried with a loud voice, saying: Hosanna to the Lord, the most high God; for He is God over all the earth, yea, even above all. And blessed art thou, Nephi, because thou believest in the Son of the most high God; wherefore, thou shalt behold the things which thou hast desired. And behold this thing shall be given unto thee for a sign, that after thou hast beheld the tree which bore the fruit which thy father tasted, thou shalt also behold a man descending out of heaven, and Him shall ye witness; and after ye have witnessed Him ye shall bear record that it is the Son of God……

(13) And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white. (18-21) And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh. And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw? And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?

(24) And after he had said these words, he said unto me: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Son of God going forth among the children of men; and I saw many fall down at his feet and worship him. (27-29) And I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world, of whom my father had spoken; and I also beheld the prophet who should prepare the way before Him. And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him; and after He was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon Him in the form of a dove. And I beheld that He went forth ministering unto the people, in power and great glory; and the multitudes were gathered together to hear Him; and I beheld that they cast him out from among them. And I also beheld twelve others following Him.

(32-33) And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God that He was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the Everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record. And I, Nephi, saw that He was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world.”

2 Nephi 11:2-6: “And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him. And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words. Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him.

And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in His grace and in His justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death. And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish.”

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2 Nephi 25:26: “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in 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”

Alma 5:50:52: “Yea, thus saith the Spirit: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, for the Kingdom of Heaven is soon at hand; yea, the Son of God cometh in His glory, in His might, majesty, power, and dominion. Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit saith: ‘Behold the glory of the King of all the earth; and also the King of Heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men.’ And also the Spirit saith unto me, ‘yea, crieth unto me with a mighty voice, saying: Go forth and say unto this people--Repent, for except ye repent ye can in nowise inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. And again I say unto you, the Spirit saith: Behold, the ax is laid at the root of the tree; therefore every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire, yea, a fire which cannot be consumed, even an unquenchable fire. Behold, and remember, the Holy One hath spoken it.”

Alma 9:26: “And not many days hence the Son of God shall come in His glory; and His glory shall be the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, equity, and truth, full of patience, mercy, and long-suffering, quick to hear the cries of His people and to answer their prayers.”

3 Nephi 11:32-35: “And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me. And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the Kingdom of God. And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost.”

Paul’s Testimony of Jesus Christ

2 Corinthians 12:12:- “Truly the signs of an Apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.”

As an Apostle Paul bore a powerful testimony of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. He spoke of His death and then His Resurrection; He testified of His suffering in Gethsemane and then His Exaltation to the Right Hand of God. Also he testified of His Second coming. A Study of acts and His Epistles reveal much about the Saviour and His Atonement.

Acts 17:2-3: “And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.”

1 Corinthians 2:2: “For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

Paul did not fear and was ashamed of His testimony of the Savior and His Gospel

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Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth….”

2 Timothy 1:7-8: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.”

At the end he was able to say:

2 Timothy 4:7-8: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Scriptures to refer

Acts 13:23-33, 38; 17:2-3; 26:22-23.

Romans 1:3-4; 1:16; 3:23-25; 4:24-25; 5:1-2, 8, 10-12, 15; 6:3-5, 23; 8:16-18; 14:9-12

1 Corinthians 1:4-6; 1:23-24; 2:1-2; 9:1; 11:23-26; 15:3-8, 12-22, 40-44, 53-57

2 Corinthians 4:5, 14; 5:10, 15

Galations 1:3-5; 2:16, 20; 5:1

Ephesians 1:7, 20-21; 2:4-6

Philippians 2:5-11; 3:8, 10-11

Colossians 1:14-19

1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; 5:9-10

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 2:16-17

1 Timothy 1:15; 2:3-6

2 Timothy 1:7-10; 2:8-10;

Titus 2:13-14

Hebrews 1:1-3; 2:9-10, 17-18; 4:14-16; 5:8-9; 7:25-27; 9:15-16, 28; 10:10-12; 12:1-2; 13:20-21.

Paul also liked to relate the story of his conversion: Acts 9:1-30; Acts 22:3-21; Acts 26:4-28

The Apostles Testimony of Christ in the Book of Acts

Acts 1:8-11; 2:22-24, 30-33; 36; 3:12-16, 19-21; 4:7-12; 5:29-32; 7:55-56; 10:34-43

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Acts 2:43: “And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the Apostles.”

David B. Haight, “The Sacrament—and the Sacrifice,” Ensign, Nov 1989

“I pray for your faith and prayers that my utterances will be received and understood “by the Spirit of truth” and that my expressions will be given “by the Spirit of truth” so that we might all be “edified and rejoice together.”

As I stand here today—a well man—words of gratitude and acknowledgment of divine intervention are so very inadequate in expressing the feelings in my soul.

Six months ago at the April general conference, I was excused from speaking as I was convalescing from a serious operation. My life has been spared, and I now have the pleasant opportunity of acknowledging the blessings, comfort, and ready aid of my Brethren in the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, and other wonderful associates and friends to whom I owe so much and who surrounded my dear wife, Ruby, and my family with their time, attention, and prayers………..

As I lay in the hospital bed, I meditated on all that had happened to me and studied the contemplative painting by President Marion G. Romney’s sister and the lines from Psalms: “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.” I was then—and continue to be—awed by the goodness and majesty of the Creator, who knows not only the names of the stars but knows your name and my name—each of us as His sons and daughters.

.............The evening of my health crisis, I knew something very serious had happened to me. Events happened so swiftly—the pain striking with such intensity, my dear Ruby phoning the doctor and our family, and I on my knees leaning over the bathtub for support and some comfort and hoped relief from the pain. I was pleading to my Heavenly Father to spare my life a while longer to give me a little more time to do His work, if it was His will.

While still praying, I began to lose consciousness. The siren of the paramedic truck was the last that I remembered before unconsciousness overtook me, which would last for the next several days.

The terrible pain and commotion of people ceased. I was now in a calm, peaceful setting; all was serene and quiet. I was conscious of two persons in the distance on a hillside, one standing on a higher level than the other. Detailed features were not discernible. The person on the higher level was pointing to something I could not see.

I heard no voices but was conscious of being in a holy presence and atmosphere. During the hours and days that followed, there was impressed again and again upon my mind the eternal mission and exalted position of the Son of Man. I witness to you that He is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, Savior to all, Redeemer of all mankind, Bestower of infinite love, mercy, and forgiveness, the Light and Life of the world. I knew this truth before—I had never doubted nor wondered. But now I knew, because of the impressions of the Spirit upon my heart and soul, these divine truths in a most unusual way.

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I was shown a panoramic view of His earthly ministry: His baptism, His teaching, His healing the sick and lame, the mock trial, His crucifixion, His resurrection and ascension. There followed scenes of His earthly ministry to my mind in impressive detail, confirming scriptural eyewitness accounts. I was being taught, and the eyes of my understanding were opened by the Holy Spirit of God so as to behold many things.

The first scene was of the Savior and His Apostles in the upper chamber on the eve of His betrayal. Following the Passover supper, He instructed and prepared the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper for His dearest friends as a remembrance of His coming sacrifice. It was so impressively portrayed to me—the overwhelming love of the Savior for each. I witnessed His thoughtful concern for significant details—the washing of the dusty feet of each Apostle, His breaking and blessing of the loaf of dark bread and blessing of the wine, then His dreadful disclosure that one would betray Him.

He explained Judas’s departure and told the others of the events soon to take place.

Then followed the Savior’s solemn discourse when He said to the Eleven: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33.)

Our Savior prayed to His Father and acknowledged the Father as the source of His authority and power—even to the extending of eternal life to all who are worthy.

He prayed, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

Jesus then reverently added:

“I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

“And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” (John 17:3–5.)

He pled not only for the disciples called out from the world who had been true to their testimony of Him, “but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” (John 17:20.)

When they had sung a hymn, Jesus and the Eleven went out to the Mount of Olives. There, in the garden, in some manner beyond our comprehension, the Savior took upon Himself the burden of the sins of mankind from Adam to the end of the world. His agony in the garden, Luke tells us, was so intense “his sweat was as … great drops of blood falling … to the ground.” (Luke 22:44.) He suffered an agony and a burden the like of which no human person would be able to bear. In that hour of anguish our Savior overcame all the power of Satan.

The glorified Lord revealed to Joseph Smith this admonition to all mankind:

“Therefore I command you to repent …

“For … I, God … suffered … for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; …

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“Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore…

“Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments.” (D&C 19:15–16, 18, 20.)

During those days of unconsciousness I was given, by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, a more perfect knowledge of His mission. I was also given a more complete understanding of what it means to exercise, in His name, the authority to unlock the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven for the salvation of all who are faithful. My soul was taught over and over again the events of the betrayal, the mock trial, the scourging of the flesh of even one of the Godhead. I witnessed His struggling up the hill in His weakened condition carrying the cross and His being stretched upon it as it lay on the ground, that the crude spikes could be driven with a mallet into His hands and wrists and feet to secure His body as it hung on the cross for public display.

Crucifixion—the horrible and painful death which He suffered—was chosen from the beginning. By that excruciating death, He descended below all things, as is recorded, that through His resurrection He would ascend above all things. (See D&C 88:6.)

Jesus Christ died in the literal sense in which we will all die. His body lay in the tomb. The immortal spirit of Jesus, chosen as the Savior of mankind, went to those myriads of spirits who had departed mortal life with varying degrees of righteousness to God’s laws. He taught them the “glorious tidings of redemption from the bondage of death, and of possible salvation, … [which was] part of [our] Savior’s foreappointed and unique service to the human family.” (James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1977, p. 671.)

I cannot begin to convey to you the deep impact that these scenes have confirmed upon my soul. I sense their eternal meaning and realize that “nothing in the entire plan of salvation compares in any way in importance with that most transcendent of all events, the atoning sacrifice of our Lord. It is the most important single thing that has ever occurred in the entire history of created things; it is the rock foundation upon which the gospel and all other things rest,” as has been declared.

Father Lehi taught his son Jacob and us today:

“Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.

“Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

“Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

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“Wherefore, he is the first fruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved.” (2 Ne. 2:6–9.)

Our most valuable worship experience in the sacrament meeting is the sacred ordinance of the sacrament, for it provides the opportunity to focus our minds and hearts upon the Savior and His sacrifice.”

Dallin H. Oaks, “What Think Ye of Christ?” Ensign, Nov 1988

“What do members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints think of Christ?

Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God the Eternal Father. He is our Creator. He is our Teacher. He is our Savior. His atonement paid for the sin of Adam and won victory over death, assuring resurrection and immortality for all men.

He is all of these, but He is more. Jesus Christ is the Savior, whose Atoning Sacrifice opens the door for us to be cleansed of our personal sins so that we can be readmitted to the presence of God. He is our Redeemer.

The Messiah’s Atoning Sacrifice is the central message of the prophets of all ages. It was prefigured by the animal sacrifices prescribed by the Law of Moses, whose whole meaning, one prophet explained, “point[ed] to that great and last sacrifice [of] … the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.” (Alma 34:14) The Atonement was promised and predicted by the Old Testament prophets. Isaiah declared:

“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: … and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was … brought as a lamb to the slaughter. … ..He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. … ..“He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isa. 53:5–8, 12.)

At the beginning of the Savior’s ministry, John the Baptist exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29.) At the end of His ministry, as Jesus blessed the cup and gave it to His disciples, he said, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matt. 26:28.) As Latter-day Saints partake of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, we drink water in remembrance of His blood, which was shed for us. (See D&C 20:79.)

The writers of the New Testament teach that our Savior’s suffering and His blood atoned for our sins. The Apostle Paul told the Corinthians that the first principle of the gospel he preached to them was “how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.” (1 Cor. 15:3.) And to the Colossians He wrote, “We have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:14; see also Heb. 2:17; Heb. 10:10.)

Peter described how Christ “bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Pet. 2:24.) John wrote that “the blood of Jesus Christ … cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 Jn. 1:7; see also 1 Jn. 2:2; 1 Jn. 3:5; 1 Jn. 4:10.) We revere the Bible. And so we and our fellow believers in Christ sing these words from that inspiring hymn “How Great Thou Art”:

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And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in, That on the cross my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin.

Testimony of the Apostles of Jesus Christ

"The Living Christ”

The Testimony of the Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," “Ensign, Apr. 2000

“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 any thing 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 vicarious 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 Cor. 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 fulness of times" (Eph. 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

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with the Father" (D&C 110:34).

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 76:2224).

We declare in words 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" (Eph. 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" (Isa. 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 the desires 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.”

Testimony of Elder Gordon B. Hinckley

“He is the chief cornerstone of the Church that bears His name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is no other name given among men whereby we can be saved (Acts 4:12). He is the Author of our salvation, the Giver of eternal life ( Hebrews 5:9). There is none to equal Him. There never has been. There never will be. Thanks be to God for the gift of His Beloved Son, who gave His life that we might live and who is the chief, immovable cornerstone of our faith and His Church………….

None so great has ever walked the earth. None other has made a comparable sacrifice or granted a comparable blessing. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. I believe in Him. I declare His divinity without equivocation or compromise. I love Him. I speak the name of Jesus Christ in reverence and wonder. He is our King, our Lord, our Master, the living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father. He lives! He lives, resplendent and wonderful, the living Son of the living God.” March 2008 Ensign

Testimony of Elder Boyd K. Packer

“Before the Crucifixion and afterward, many men have willingly given their lives in selfless acts of heroism. But none faced what Christ endured. Upon Him was the burden of all human transgression, all human guilt. And hanging in the balance was the Atonement. Through His willing act, mercy and justice could be reconciled, eternal law sustained, and that mediation achieved without which mortal man could not be redeemed.

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He by choice accepted the penalty in behalf of all mankind for the sum total of all wickedness and depravity; for brutality, immorality, perversion, and corruption; for addiction; for the killings and torture and terror—for all of it that ever had been or all that ever would be enacted upon this earth. In so choosing He faced the awesome power of the evil one, who was not confined to flesh nor subject to mortal pain. That was Gethsemane!

How the Atonement was wrought we do not know. No mortal watched as evil turned away and hid in shame before the Light of that pure being. All wickedness could not quench that Light. When what was done was done, the ransom had been paid. Both death and hell forsook their claim on all who would repent. Men at last were free. Then every soul who ever lived could choose to touch that Light and be redeemed.

By this infinite sacrifice, “through [this] Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel” (Articles of Faith 1:3). Ensign March 2008 page 15

Testimony of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

“Now, to anyone within the sound of my voice who has wondered regarding our Christianity, I bear this witness. I testify that Jesus Christ is the literal, living Son of our literal, living God. This Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer who, under the guidance of the Father, was the Creator of heaven and earth and all things that in them are. I bear witness that He was born of a virgin mother, that in His lifetime He performed mighty miracles observed by legions of His disciples and by His enemies as well. I testify that He had power over death because He was divine but that He willingly subjected Himself to death for our sake because for a period of time He was also mortal. I declare that in His willing submission to death He took upon Himself the sins of the world, paying an infinite price for every sorrow and sickness, every heartache and unhappiness from Adam to the end of the world. In doing so He conquered both the grave physically and hell spiritually and set the human family free. I bear witness that He was literally resurrected from the tomb and, after ascending to His Father to complete the process of that Resurrection, He appeared, repeatedly, to hundreds of disciples in the Old World and in the New. I know He is the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah who will one day come again in final glory, to reign on earth as Lord of lords and King of kings. I know that there is no other name given under heaven whereby a man can be saved and that only by relying wholly upon His merits, mercy, and everlasting grace19 can we gain eternal life.” Oct 2007 General conference

Testimony of President Joseph Fielding Smith April 1956 General Conference

“I know absolutely that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God, the Redeemer of the world; the saviour of Men insofar as they will repent of their sins and accept the gospel. Through His death H redeemed all men and took upon Him that sacrifice which would relieve us of our sins that we may not answer for them if we will accept Him and be true and faithful to His teachings.” April 1956 General Conference

Testimony of President David O’ McKay Improvement era June 1951 “Members of the church…are under obligation to make the Sinless Son of God their ideal. The one perfect being who ever walked the earth;

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Sublimest example of Nobility, God like in nature, Perfect in His love, Our Redeemer, Our Saviour, The Immaculate Son of the Eternal Father, The Light, The Life, The Way”

President Spencer W. Kimball

“We place [Jesus Christ] on a pedestal as no other group I know of. To us he is not only the Son of God, he is also a God and we are subject to him. …No matter how much we say of him, it is still too little. He is not only the Carpenter, the Nazarene, the Galilean, but Jesus Christ, the God of this earth, the Son of God, but most importantly, our Savior, our Redeemer. …I add my own testimony. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. He is my friend, my Savior, my Lord, my God.” The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball

President Heber J. Grant

“To members of the Church throughout the world, and to peace-lovers everywhere, we say, behold in this Man of Galilee not merely a great Teacher, not merely a peerless Leader, but the Prince of Peace, the Author of Salvation, here and now, literally and truly the Savior of the World!.......Jesus is the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind, who came to the earth with a divinely appointed mission to die for the redemption of mankind. Jesus Christ is literally the Son of God, the Only Begotten in the flesh. He is our Redeemer, and we worship him.” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant (2002), 223.

President Wilford Woodruff

“The object of Christ’s mission to the earth was to offer himself as a sacrifice to redeem mankind from eternal death. … He acted strictly in obedience to his Father’s will in all things from the beginning, and drank of the bitter cup given him. Herein is brought to light, glory, honour, immortality, and eternal life, with that charity which is greater than faith or hope, for the Lamb of God has hereby performed that for man which [man] could not accomplish for himself. ……There is no being that has power to save the souls of men and give them eternal life, except the Lord Jesus Christ, under the command of His Father.” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff (2004)

Testimony of Elder Russell M. Nelson-Ensign Nov 2005

“I express special gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ. I am thankful for His loving-kindness and for His open invitation to come unto Him. I marvel at His matchless power to heal. I testify of Jesus Christ as the Master Healer. It is but one of many attributes that characterize His incomparable life. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, the Creator, the great Jehovah, the promised Immanuel, our atoning Savior and Redeemer, our Advocate with the Father, our great Exemplar. And one day we will stand before Him as our just and merciful Judge……

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John the Baptist declared, “Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world!” What power! Only the Master Healer could take away the sin of the world. Our debt to Him is incalculably great.

Well do I remember an experience while speaking to a group of missionaries? After I had invited questions, one elder stood. With tears in his eyes, he asked, “Why did Jesus have to suffer so much?” I asked the elder to open his book of hymns and recite words from “How Great Thou Art.” He read:

And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in, That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then I asked this elder to read from “Reverently and Meekly Now.” These words are particularly poignant because they are written as the Lord would express His own answer to the very question that had been asked:

Think of me, thou ransomed one; Think what I for thee have done. With my blood that dripped like rain, Sweat in agony of pain, With my body on the tree I have ransomed even thee. …

Oh, remember what was done That the sinner might be won. On the cross of Calvary I have suffered death for thee.

Jesus suffered deeply because He loves us deeply! He wants us to repent and be converted so that He can fully heal us.

Our return to our Heavenly Father is through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus told His disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). He instructed us to keep His commandments if we love Him (see John 14:15). He taught further that “he that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).

In the Atonement and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can glimpse the reality of His divine mission to redeem all who will come unto Him and will honor and reverence God, our Eternal Father.”

“Elias: An Epic of the Ages,” by Elder Orson F. Whitney

Elder Whitney paraphrased what Abraham and other seers have revealed concerning the proceedings and consequences of that Heavenly Council and the role Jesus played in it.

“In solemn council sat the Gods,

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“… That awful hour was one When thought doth most avail; Of worlds unborn the destiny Hung trembling in the scale. Silence self-spelled; and there arose, Those kings and priests among, A power sublime, than whom appeared None nobler ’mid the throng.

“A stature mingling strength with grace, Of meek though godlike mien; The glory of whose countenance Outshone the noonday sheen. … He spake;—attention grew more grave, The stillness e’en more still.

“ ‘Father!’—the voice like music fell, … ‘Father,’ it said, ‘Since one must die, Thy children to redeem, From spheres all formless now and void, Where pulsing life shall teem;

“ ‘And mighty Michael [Adam] foremost fall That mortal man may be; And chosen Saviour Thou must send, Lo, here am I—send me! I ask, I seek no recompense, Save that which then were mine; Mine be the willing sacrifice, The endless glory Thine! …’

“Still rang that voice, when sudden rose Aloft a towering form, Proudly erect as lowering peak ’Lumed by the gathering storm; …

“ ‘Send me! ’coiled ’neath his courtly smile A scarce concealed disdain— ‘And none shall hence, from heaven to earth, That shall not rise again. My saving plan exception scorns. Man’s will?—Nay, mine alone. As recompense, I claim the right To sit on yonder Throne!’

“Ceased Lucifer. The breathless hush Resumed and denser grew. All eyes were turned; the general gaze One common magnet drew. A moment there was solemn pause—

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Listened eternity, While rolled from lips omnipotent The Father’s firm decree:

“ ‘Jehovah, thou my Messenger! Son Ahman, thee I send; And one shall go thy face before, While twelve thy steps attend. And many more on that far shore The pathway shall prepare, That I, the first, the last may come, And earth my glory share. …

“ ‘Go forth, thou Chosen of the Gods, Whose strength shall in thee dwell! Go down betime and rescue earth, Dethroning death and hell. On thee alone man’s fate depends, The fate of beings all. Thou shalt not fail, though thou art free— Free, but too great to fall.

“ ‘By arm divine, both mine and thine, The lost thou shalt restore, And man, redeemed, with God shall be, As God forevermore. Return, and to the parent fold This wandering planet bring, And earth shall hail thee Conqueror, And heaven proclaim thee King.’

“’Twas done. From congregation vast, tumultuous murmurs rose; Waves of conflicting sound, as when Two meeting seas oppose. ’Twas finished. But the heavens wept; And still their annals tell How one was choice of Elohim, O’er one who fighting fell.” (Hymns, 1985, no. 86)

Invictus

In his famous poem “Invictus,” William Ernest Henley hurled man’s challenge against Fate. With head “bloody, but unbowed,” determined man is unconquerable. The last verse reads:

Out of the night that covers me Black as the pit from pole to pole I thank whatever Gods may be, For my unconquerable soul

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In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced nor cried aloud, Under the bludgeoning of chance, my head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears, looms but the horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years, Finds, and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate I am the captain of my soul. (Out of the Best Books, 5 vols., ed. Bruce B. Clark and Robert K. Thomas, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1968, 4:93)

Writing a half-century later, Elder Orson F. Whitney replied with these lines:

Art thou in truth? Then what of him Who bought thee with his blood? Who plunged into devouring seas And snatched thee from the flood?

Who bore for all our fallen race What none but him could bear The God who died that man might live, And endless glory share?

Of what avail thy vaunted strength, Apart from his vast might? Pray that his Light may pierce the gloom, That thou mayest see aright.

Men are as bubbles on the wave, As leaves upon the tree. Thou, captain of thy soul, forsooth! Who gave that place to thee?

Free will is thine—free agency, To wield for right or wrong; But thou must answer unto Him To whom all souls belong.

Bend to the dust that head “unbowed,” Small part of Life’s great whole! And see in Him, and Him alone, The Captain of thy soul. (Improvement Era, May 1926, p. 611)

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President David O Mckay beholds the Saviour and the City Eternal

Vision of the Saviour by Orson F. Whitney

Then came a marvelous manifestation and admonition from a higher source, one impossible to ignore. It was a dream, or a vision in a dream, as I lay upon my bed in the little town of Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

“I seemed to be in the Garden of Gethsemane, a witness of the Savior's agony. I saw Him as plainly as ever I have seen anyone. Standing behind a tree in the foreground, I beheld Jesus, with Peter, James and John, as they came through a little wicket gate at my right. Leaving the three Apostles there, after telling them to kneel and pray, the Son of God passed over to the other side, where He also knelt and prayed.

It was the same prayer with which all Bible readers are familiar: "Oh my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt."

As He prayed the tears streamed down His face, which was toward me. I was so moved at the sight that I also wept, out of pure sympathy. My whole heart went out to Him; I loved Him with all my soul, and longed to be with Him as I longed for nothing else.

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Presently He arose and walked to where those Apostles were kneeling-- fast asleep! He shook them gently, awoke them, and in a tone of tender reproach, untinctured by the least show of anger or impatience, asked them plaintively if they could not watch with Him one hour. There He was, with the awful weight of the world's sins upon His shoulders, with the pangs of every man, woman and child shooting through His sensitive soul-- and they could not watch with Him one poor hour!

Returning to His place, He offered up the same prayer as before; then went back and again found them sleeping. Again He awoke them, readmonished them, and once more returned and prayed. Three times this occurred, until I was perfectly familiar with His appearance-- face, form and movements. He was of noble stature and majestic mien-- not at all the weak, effeminate being that some painters have portrayed; but the very God that He was and is, as meek and humble as a little child.

All at once the circumstances seemed to change, the scene remaining just the same. Instead of before, it was after the crucifixion, and the Savior, with the three Apostles, now stood together in a group at my left. They were about to depart and ascend into Heaven. I could endure it no longer. I ran from behind the tree, fell at His feet, clasped Him around the knees, and begged Him to take me with Him.

I shall never forget the kind and gentle manner in which He stooped, raised me up, and embraced me. It was so vivid, so real. I felt the very warmth of His body, as He held me in His arms and said in the tenderest tones: "No, my son, these have finished their work; they can go with me; but you must stay and finish yours." Still I clung to Him. Gazing up into His face-- for He was taller than I-- I besought Him fervently: "Well, promise me that I may come to you at the last." Smiling sweetly, He said, "That will depend entirely upon yourself." I awoke with a sob in my throat, and it was morning.

.... I saw the moral clearly. I have never thought of being an Apostle, nor of holding any other office in the Church, and it did not occur to me then. Yet I knew that these sleeping Apostles meant me. I was asleep at my post -- as any man is who, having been divinely appointed to do one thing, does another. But from that hour, all was changed. I never was the same man again. I continued to write, but not to the neglect of the Lord's work. I held that first and foremost; all else was secondary. Orson F. Whitney, "Through Memories Halls", 1930, p. 82 Quoted in Bryant Hinckley, The Faith of our Pioneer Fathers, 211-213

Testimony of Melvin J. Ballard given the day he was ordained an Apostle “I was impressed to read to them the testimony my Grandfather Ballard bore to the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve on January 7, 1919, the day he was ordained an Apostle. I quote just a small portion of his testimony. “I know, as I know that I live, that this is God’s work and that you are His servants. … I remember one testimony, among the many testimonies which I have received. … Two years ago, about this time, I had been on the Fort Peck Reservation for several days with the brethren, solving the problems connected with our work among the Lamanites. Many questions arose that we had to settle. There was no precedent for us to follow, and we just had to go to the Lord and tell Him our troubles, and get inspiration and help from Him. On this occasion I had sought the Lord, under such circumstances, and that night I received a wonderful manifestation and impression which has never left me. I was carried to this

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place—into this room (In the Temple). I saw myself here with you. I was told there was another privilege that was to be mine; and I was led into a room where I was informed I was to meet someone. As I entered the room I saw, seated on a raised platform, the most glorious being I have ever conceived of, and was taken forward to be introduced to Him. As I approached He smiled, called my name, and stretched out His hands towards me. If I live to be a million years old I shall never forget that smile. He put His arms around me and kissed me, as He took me into His bosom, and He blessed me until my whole being was thrilled. As He finished I fell at His feet, and there saw the marks of the nails; and as I kissed them, with deep joy swelling through my whole being, I felt that I was in heaven indeed. The feeling that came to my heart then was: Oh! If I could live worthy, though it would require four-score years, so that in the end when I have finished I could go into His presence and receive the feeling that I then had in His presence, I would give everything that I am or ever hope to be!” Melvin J. Ballard—Crusader for Righteousness, 1966, p. 65–66. M. Russell Ballard, “The Blessings of Sacrifice,” Ensign, May 1992, Page 75 Heavenly Manifestation to Heber Q. Hale Oct 1920-Visit to Spirit World “The further I went the more glorious things appeared. While standing at a certain vantage point I beheld a short distance away, a wonderful beautiful Temple capped with golden domes from which emerged a group of men dressed in white robes who paused for a brief conversation. They were in uniforms-In this little group of Holy men my eyes centered upon one more splendorous and Holy than the rest. My eyes beheld My Lord and Saviour…My soul thrilled with rapture and unspeakable joy filled my heart”

George F. Richards sees the Savior

“The Lord has revealed to men by dreams ….when George F. Richards was president. He was the venerable father of Brother LeGrand Richards who has just spoken to us. He said:-

“I believe in dreams, brethren. The Lord has given me dreams which to me are just as real and as much from God as was the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar, which was the means of saving a nation from starvation, or the dream of Lehi who through a dream led his colony out of the old country across the mighty deep to this promised land, or any other dreams that we might read in the scriptures.

“It is not out of place for us to have important dreams,” he said. “And then more than 40 years ago I had a dream which I am sure was from the Lord. In this dream. I was in the presence of my Savior as he stood mid-air. He spoke no word to me, but my love for him was such that I have not words to explain. I know that no mortal man can love the Lord as I experienced that love for the Savior unless God reveals it to him. I would have remained in his presence, but there was a power drawing me away from him.

“As a result of that dream, I had this feeling that no matter what might be required of my hands, what the gospel might entail unto me, I would do what I should be asked to do even to the laying down of my life.

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“And so when we read in the scriptures what the Savior said to his disciples, ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions: … I go to prepare a place for you … that where I am, there ye may be also.’ (John 14:2–3.) I think that is where I want to be. “If only I can be with my Savior and have that same sense of love that I had in that dream, it will be the goal of my existence, the desire of my life.”

Elder George Q Cannon sees the Savior

Elder George Q. Cannon, who was in the presidency of the Church at one time, said this: “I know that God lives. I know that Jesus lives; for I have seen Him. I know that this is the Church of God, and that it is founded on Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. I testify to you of these things as one who knows—as one of the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ that can bear witness to you today in the presence of the Lord that He lives and that He will live, and will come to reign on the earth, to sway an undisputed scepter.” (Delivered in the October 1896 General Conference and reported in The Deseret Weekly, October 31, 1896, vol. 53, p. 610.)

Brethren and sisters, I want to add to these testimonies of these prophets my testimony that I know that He lives. And I know that we may see him, and that we may be with him, and that we may enjoy his presence always if we will live the commandments of the Lord and do the things which we have been commanded by him to do and reminded by the Brethren to do. Related by Spencer W. Kimball in “The Cause Is Just and Worthy,” Ensign, May 1974,

Newell Knight sees the Saviour- First General Conference 9 June 1830 DHC 1:84/85

“Much exhortation and instruction was given, and the Holy Ghost was poured out upon us in a miraculous manner-many of our number prophesied, whilst others had the heavens opened to their view, and were so overcome that we had to lay them on beds or other convenient places; Brother Newel Knight had to be placed on a bed, being unable to help himself…..He felt his heart filled with love, with glory, amid pleasure unspeakable, and could discern all that was going on in the room.; when all of a sudden a vision of the future burst upon him. He saw there represented the great work which through my instrumentality was yet to be accomplished. He saw Heaven opened, and behold the Lord Jesus Christ seated at the right hand of the majesty on High, and had it made plain to is understanding that the time would come when he would be admitted into His presence to enjoy His society forever and ever. When their bodily strength was restored to these brethren they shouted hosanna to God and the lamb and rehearsed the glorious things which they had seen and felt, whilst they were yet in the Spirit.”. DHC 1:85

Frederick G. Williams sees the Saviour-dedication of the Kirtland Temple

“The Prophet Joseph recorded in the account of the dedication of the Kirtland Temple: “The Savior made his appearance to some.” (HC 2:432.) Elder George A. Smith stated in a discourse:

“On the first day of the dedication, President Frederick G. Williams, one of the Councillors of the Prophet, and who occupied the upper pulpit, bore testimony that the Savior, dressed in his vesture without seam, came into the stand and accepted of the dedication of the house; that he saw Him, and gave a description of His clothing and all things pertaining

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to it.” (Journal of Discourses 11:10.) See Ensign August 1975 “He lives for we saw Him” By Ivan J. Barrett

The Prophet recorded in his history:- "Many of the others saw glorious visions also angels administered unto them as well as to myself, and the power of the Highest rested upon us and the Temple was filled with the glory of God and we shouted Hosanna to God and the Lamb. Some of them saw the face of the Savior and the spirit of prophecy and revelation was poured out in mighty power. This all lasted until nearly 2:00 in the morning." The next day instead of studying they spent the time rehearsing to each other the glorious scenes that occurred there the night before, while attending to the ordinance of holy anointing. That evening the twelve apostles met in the upper room to receive their anointing along with the seven presidents of Seventies and the High Council of Zion and Kirtland, Joseph said..."I laid my hands upon them and pronounced many great and glorious things upon their heads, the heavens were opened, and angels administered unto us...The Heavens were opened to Elder Sylvester Smith, and he leaped up exclaiming "The horsemen of Israel and the Chariots thereof..." ... The gift of tongues fell upon us in mighty power angels mingled their voices with ours, while their presence was in our midst, and unceasing praises swelled our bosoms for the space of half an hour.. We accordingly closed our interview and returned home about two o'clock in the morning, and the spirit and visions of God attended me through the night." (DHC Vll p 379-382) Ensign August 1975

Zebedee Coltrin and John Murdock see the Saviour at the School of the Prophets

John Murdock:

A Vision of Jesus Christ given to John Murdock, Zebedee Coltrin and the Prophet Joseph Smith while in a prayer meeting which occurred during the winter of 1832-1833, at Kirtland Ohio as related by John Murdock. Murdock boards at the Prophet's home; Joseph promises him that he could see the Savior, which he does. (On the 3rd day of April 1833, Bro. [Brother] Zebedee Coltrin and myself started on a mission to the eastern country.) During the winter that I boarded with Bro. [Brother] Joseph, as just mentioned, we had a number of prayer meetings, in the prophet's chamber, in which we obtained great blessings. In one of these meetings the prophet told us if we could humble ourselves before God, and exercise strong faith, we should see the face of the Lord.

And about midday the visions of my mind were opened, and the eyes of my understanding were enlightened, and I saw the form of a man, most lovely, the visage of his face was sound and fair as the sun. His hair a bright silver grey, curled in most majestic form, His eyes a keen penetrating blue, and the skin of his neck a most beautiful white and he was covered from the neck to the feet with a loose garment, pure white, whiter than any garment I have ever before seen. His countenance was most penetrating, and yet most lovely. And while I was endeavoring to comprehend the whole personage from head to feet it slipped from me, and the vision was closed up. But it left on my mind the impression of love, for months, that I never felt before to that degree.

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"John Murdock Journal," typescript copy, BYU Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah, 13

Zebedee Coltrin: “At one of these meetings [of the School of the Prophets] after the organization of the school, (the school being organized on the 23rd of January, 1833) when we were all together, Joseph having given instructions, and while engaged in silent prayer, kneeling, with our hands uplifted each one praying in silence, no one whispered above his breath, a personage walked through the room from east to west, and Joseph asked if we saw him. I saw him and suppose the others did and Joseph answered "that is Jesus, the Son of God, our elder brother." Afterward Joseph told us to resume our former position in prayer, which we did. Another person came through; he was surrounded as with a flame of fire. He (Brother Coltrin) experienced a sensation that it might destroy the tabernacle as it was of consuming fire of great brightness. The Prophet Joseph said this was the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I saw Him.

When asked about the kind of clothing the Father had on, Brother Coltrin said: "I did not discover His clothing for He was surrounded as with a flame of fire, which was so brilliant that I could not discover anything else but His person. I saw His hands, His legs, His feet, His eyes, nose, mouth, head and body in the shape and form of a perfect man. He sat in a chair as a man would sit in a chair, but this appearance was so grand and overwhelming that it seemed I should melt down in his presence, and the sensation was so powerful that it thrilled through my whole system and I felt it in the marrow of my bones." (Zebedee on another occasion said “Again I saw passing through the same room personage whose glory and brightness was so great that I can liken it to nothing but the burning bush that Moses saw, and its power was so great that had it continued much longer I believe it would have consumed us.”)

The Prophet Joseph said: "Brethren, now you are prepared to be the Apostles of Jesus Christ, for you have seen both the Father and the Son and know that they exist and that they are two separate Personages."

The school room was in the upper room of [Newel K.] Whitney's store.

"Statement of Zebedee Coltrin," Minutes, 3 October 1883, Salt Lake School of Prophets, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah, 56-58; see also Lyndon W. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 1981), 187-88

Appearance of the Saviour to Lorenzo Snow

“When Lorenzo Snow was 22 years of age, having been a member of the Church for six months, he received his patriarchal blessing from Patriarch Joseph Smith, Sr., father of the Prophet. In it he was told, “Thou shalt have faith even like that of the brother of Jared.” (Thomas C. Romney, The Life of Lorenzo Snow, Deseret Book Co., 1955, p. 1.) The brother of Jared was a man of such great faith that “he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him.” (Ether 3:20.)

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Years later, upon learning of the death of President Wilford Woodruff, President Snow dressed in his holy temple robes, retired to the sacred altar in the Salt Lake Temple, and poured out his heart to the Lord. He reminded the Lord how he had pleaded that President Woodruff outlive him, that he might not be called to bear the heavy burdens and responsibilities of Church leadership. “Nevertheless,” he prayed, “Thy will be done. I have not sought this responsibility, but if it be Thy will I will present myself before thee for Thy guidance and instruction. I ask that Thou show me what Thou wouldst have me do.”

After finishing the prayer, he expected a reply, some special manifestation from the Lord. He waited—and waited. There was no reply, no voice, no manifestation. He left the room in deep disappointment, passed through the Celestial room and out into the large corridor leading to his own room, where a most glorious manifestation was given him. One of the most beautiful accounts of this experience is given by his granddaughter, Allie Young Pond: One day she and President Snow were walking in the Salt Lake Temple, and she tells of the following conversation:

“One evening While I was visiting grandpa Snow in his room at the Salt Lake Temple, I remained until the door keepers had gone and the night-watchmen had not yet come in, so grandpa said he would take me to the main from entrance and let me out that way. After we left his room and while we were still in the large corridor, leading into the Celestial room, I was walking several steps ahead of Grandpa when he stopped me, saying, ‘Wait a moment, Allie, I want to tell you something. It was right here that the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to me at the time of the death of President Woodruff. He instructed me to go right ahead and reorganize the First Presidency of the Church at once and not wait as had been done after the death of the previous presidents and that I was to succeed president Woodruff.

Then grand-pa came a step nearer and held out his left hand and said, ‘He stood right here, about three feet above the floor. It looked as though He stood on a plate of solid gold.’

Grand-pa told me what a glorious personage the Savior is and described His hands, feet, countenance and beautiful white robes, all of which were of such a glory of whiteness and brightness that he could hardly gaze upon Him.

Then grand-pa came another step nearer me and put his right hand on my head and said: ‘Now, granddaughter, I want you to remember that this is the testimony of your grandfather, that he told you with his own lips that he actually saw the Savior here in the Temple, and talked with Him face to face.’ ” (Deseret News, Church Section, April 2, 1938, p. 8) as recorded in August 1975 Ensign “He lives for we saw Him”

Appearance of the Saviour to Alfred Douglas Young

“Alfred Douglas Young, an early convert to the Church, was conversing with his brother on the morning of September 17, 1841, about the principles of the gospel, when he was constrained by the Spirit to go to some secret place. Out into the woods some distance from his brother’s house, he was beckoned in vision by an angelic personage to “Follow thou me”:

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“He ascended upward in the direction from whence he came and I followed him. He took me into the presence of God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. There was a rail between us; but I saw them seated on a throne. I had in my hands many sheaves of wheat of the purest white.

“There was an altar on my left hand and also one directly in front of me. The one on my left appeared to be about three feet in height, the one in front about eighteen inches. I laid the sheaves of wheat that were in my hands on the altar to my left as an offering to the Lord. I bowed myself on my knees on the altar in front of me which was also in front of the throne.

“I prayed God the Father in the name of his Son Jesus Christ to accept the offering I had laid upon the altar. “While I prayed the rail was removed and I stood upon my feet. Jesus arose and stepped from the side of his Father and came near where I stood. I was in their Presence and I gazed upon their glory.

“Jesus then said to me, ‘Your offering is accepted, and wouldest thou know the interpretation thereof?’ I replied, ‘Yes, Lord.’ The angel, my conductor, said, ‘Look,’ and I saw as it were an innumerable company that had come up from all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples around the throne of God, and they fell down and worshipped Him and gave glory to Him. Jesus then said, ‘These are they thou shalt be the means of bringing into my Father’s Kingdom and this is the interpretation of the offering thou hast laid upon the altar.’ ” (Alfred Douglas Young, “Autobiographical Journal,” 1808–1842, pp. 3–13.) as recorded August 1975 Ensign “He lives for we saw Him”

Appearance of the Saviour to Alexander Neibaur

Alexander Neibaur, a Jewish convert from England and a dental surgeon by profession, was asked by his son shortly before his death, “ ‘Father, you have been telling us of your long and hard experience, and we have listened with intense affection and interest, but let me ask you, is it worth it all? Is the Gospel worth all this sacrifice?’

“The glow of testimony and truth lighted the torches in the dimming eyes of that ancient Hebrew prophet and poet and he lifted his voice in firm and lofty assurance as he said:

“ ‘Yes! Yes! and more! I have seen my Savior. I have seen the prints in his hands! I know that Jesus is the Son of God, and I know that this work is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I would suffer it all and more, far more than I have ever suffered for that knowledge even to the laying down of my body on the plains for the wolves to devour.’ ” (The Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine, 5:62.) As recorded August 1975 Ensign “He lives for we saw Him”

My Personal Testimony of Jesus Christ After an outpouring of the Spirit on the 6 Nov 2007 on the way to Dolgellau, Wales I can personally testify that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of the Father and as such had a very special relationship with the father. He is the Firstborn and supreme Intelligence of all our father’s children. He is in all and through all things the Light of the world. His Light discerns all things and even shines in darkness. I joy in this knowledge that He is the great I AM, the Saviour and Redeemer of mankind.

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