“
‘My Friend, My Savior, My Lord, My God’: Latter-day Prophets
Bear Testimony of Jesus Christ,” New Era, Dec. 1979, 7
It was a Sabbath afternoon. After helping to distribute the sacrament (having
participated in it with the Quorum of the Twelve), Joseph Smith retired to the
pulpit of the
“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.” (D&C
110:2-4.)
This is just one of several instances of recorded testimony from the Prophet
Joseph attesting to the fact that he received personal visitations from the Savior. Such visitations surely blessed the entire
world, for they led to the full restoration of the
But personal knowledge of the Savior did not
end with the death of Joseph. From the beginning of the final dispensation to
the present day, each president of the Church has borne witness that Christ
lives.
“I can bear testimony that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and the word
of the Lord, whether written or spoken, is true.
“Permit me to ask a question. Who are the individuals upon the face of the
earth that can make this statement in truth? Who are the individuals that can
say that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and that he lives? Can the Christian
world? They cannot. They may say they believe and have all confidence that
Jesus lives; they may have all confidence in declaring that the gospel of Jesus
Christ is true; they may firmly declare that the Bible (referring particularly
to the New Testament) is true; that therein contained is the plan of salvation,
and [that it] is true. This they may declare in all good conscience and with
all soberness.
“But let me ask, Where are the individuals that can say that they know that
Jesus lives? And who are the individuals that can say that his gospel is true
and is the plan of salvation to man? I will let Christendom answer this
question for themselves; but to me it is certain, that no man lives on the face of the earth, no woman lives, that can say
this, except those to whom Christ has revealed himself. (1
Cor. 2:1-16; 1
Cor. 12:3.)
“Though others may say in all good conscience they believe he lives—who
knows the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ to be
true? There is one class of people, and one only, that live upon the face of
the earth, who do know it; and that class of men and women are those that keep
his commandments and do his will; none others can say it. None others can
declare with boldness, and emphatically, that Jesus lives and that his gospel
is true. (Joseph Fielding McConkie, comp., Journal of Discourses Digest [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1975],
pp. 52-53).
“Paul, when speaking of Jesus Christ, gives us to understand that he is the
Firstborn of every creature, for by him were all things made that were made,
and to him pertains all things; he is the head of all things; he created all
things, whether visible or invisible, whether they be principalities, powers,
thrones, or dominions; all things were created by him and for him, and without
him was not anything made that was made. (Col.
1:13-19; Heb.
1:1-3; John
1:1-3; D&C
76:24).
“If all things were created by him and for him, this world on which we stand
must have been created by him and for him; if so, he is its legitimate, its
rightful owner and proprietor, its lawful sovereign and ruler …
“He knows how to estimate and put a proper value upon human nature, for he
having been placed in the same position as we are, knows how to bear with our
weaknesses and infirmities; and he can fully comprehend the depth, power, and
strength of the afflictions and trials that men have to cope with in this
world, and thus understandingly and by experience, he can bear with them as a
Father and an Elder Brother.
“It is necessary, also, inasmuch as we profess that we are aiming at the
same glory, exaltation, power, and blessings in the eternal world, that we
should pass through the same afflictions, endure the same privations, conquer
as he conquered, and overcome as he did, and thus by integrity, truth, virtue,
purity, and a high-minded and honorable course before God,
angels, and men, secure for ourselves an eternal exaltation in the eternal
world as he did.” (Digest, p.
182).
“When Jesus Christ came to the Jews he brought the everlasting gospel. He
was one of the tribe of Judah himself. He came to his own father’s house; he
offered them life and salvation; yet he was the most unpopular man in all
Judah. The high priests, the Sadducees, the sectarians of the day, were the
strongest enemies he had on earth. No matter what he did, it was imputed to an
evil source. When he cast out devils it was imputed to the power of Beelzebub,
the prince of devils. When he opened the eyes of the blind they said: “Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.” This
unpopularity followed the Lord Jesus Christ to
the cross where he gave up the ghost. Now, the inhabitants of Judah had an idea
that if they could only put to death the Messiah, that that would end his
mission and work on the earth. Vain hope of that generation as well as this!
When they led Jesus to the cross, the very moment that spirit departed from
that sorrowful tabernacle, it held the keys of the kingdom of God
in all of its strength and power and glory the same as he had done while in the
body. And while the body lay in the tomb, Jesus of Nazareth went and preached
to the spirits in prison, and when his mission was ended there, his spirit
returned again to his tabernacle. Did the Jews kill the principles he taught?
No. He burst the bonds of death, he conquered the tomb, and came forth with an
immortal body filled with glory and eternal life, holding all the powers and
keys he held while in the flesh. Having appeared to some of the holy women and
the apostles, he then went and administered to the Nephites upon this
continent, and from here he went to the ten tribes of Israel, and delivered to
them the gospel, and when they return they will bring the history of the
dealings of Jesus of Nazareth with them, while in his immortal body. The same
unpopularity followed the twelve apostles. Some of them were sawn asunder,
others were beheaded, crucified, etc. But did the Jews destroy the principles
they taught? Did they destroy the keys of the kingdom of God?
No, verily no. They had no power over these things any more than they had power
over the throne of God, or God Himself.” (Discourses
of Wilford Woodruff, ed. G. Homer Durham [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft,
1946], pp. 26-27.)
“Some two or three years after I was baptized, one day while engaged in my studies, I began to reflect upon the fact that I had
not obtained a knowledge of the truth of that work—that I had not realized the
fulfillment of that promise, ‘he that doeth my
will shall know of the doctrine,’ and I began to feel very uneasy. I laid aside
my books, left the house, and wandered around through
the fields under the oppressive influence of a gloomy, disconsolate spirit,
while an indescribable cloud of darkness seemed to envelop me. I had been
accustomed, at the close of day, to retire for secret prayer, to a grove a
short distance from my lodgings, but at
this time I felt no inclination to do so. The spirit of prayer had departed and
the heavens seemed like brass over my head. At
length, realizing that the usual time had come for secret prayer, I concluded I
would not forgo my evening service, and, as a matter of
formality, knelt as I was in the habit of doing, and in my
accustomed, retired place, but not feeling as I was wont to feel.
“I had no sooner opened my lips in an effort to
pray, than I heard a sound, just above my
head, like the rustling of silken robes, and immediately the spirit of God descended upon me, completely enveloping my whole person, filling me from the crown of my head to the soles of my
feet, and O the joy and happiness I felt! No language can describe the almost
instantaneous transition from a dense cloud of mental and spiritual darkness
into a refulgence of light and knowledge that God
lives, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,
and of the restoration of the Holy Priesthood, and the fulness of the Gospel.
It was a complete baptism—a tangible immersion in the heavenly principle or
element, the Holy Ghost; and even more real and physical in its effects upon
every part of my system than the immersion by water;
dispelling forever, so long as reason and memory last, all possibility of doubt
or fear in relation to the fact handed down to us historically that the ‘babe
of Bethlehem’ is truly the Son of God; and also the
fact that He is now being revealed to the children of men, and communicating
knowledge, the same as in the apostolic times. I was perfectly satisfied, as
well I might be, for my expectations were
more than realized; I think I may safely say, in an infinite degree.
“I cannot tell how long I remained in the full flow of the blissful
enjoyment and divine enlightenment, but it was several minutes before the
celestial element which filled and surrounded me began gradually to withdraw.
On arising from my kneeling posture, with my
heart swelling with gratitude to God, beyond the
power of expression, I felt—I knew that he had conferred on me what only an
omnipotent being can confer—that which is of greater value than all the wealth
and honors worlds can bestow. That night as I retired to rest, the same
wonderful manifestations were repeated, and continued to be for several
successive nights. The sweet remembrance of those glorious experiences, from
that time to the present, brings them fresh before me, imparting an inspiring
influence which pervades my whole being, and I
trust will to the close of my earthly existence.”
(Preston Nibley, The Presidents of the
Church [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1974], pp. 139-140.)
“I bear testimony to you, that I have received an assurance which has taken
possession of my whole being. It has sunk deep into my heart; it fills every fibre of my
soul; so that I say before this people, and would be pleased to have the
privilege of saying it before the whole world, that God
has revealed to me that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Redeemer of the world. … I know, as I live,
that this is true, and I bear my testimony to its
truth. If it were the last words I should ever say on earth, I would glory
before God my
Father that I possess this knowledge in my
soul. … I know that this is the kingdom of God,
and that God is at the helm. He presides over his
people. He presides over the President of this Church and has done from the
Prophet Joseph … and He will continue to preside over the leaders of the Church
until the winding-up scene.” (Forace Green, comp., Testimonies of Our Leaders [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1958], p.
47.)
“I know that God lives, I know that Jesus is the Christ,
I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God,
I know that the Gospel tree is alive, that it is growing, that the fruits of
the Gospel growing upon the tree are good. I have reached out my
hand, and have plucked the fruits of the Gospel, I have eaten of them and they
are sweet, yea, above all that is sweet. That is the inspiration that comes to
every Latter-day Saint who realizes the force of this Gospel that we have
espoused. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the plan of life and
salvation. God lives; Jesus is the Christ, and He is
the chief corner stone of this great work—He is directing it, and He will
continue to direct it.” (Testimonies, p.
50.)
I have been bouyed up and, as it were, lifted out of myself and given power
not my own to teach the glorious truths
proclaimed by the Redeemer of the world. I have not seen Him face to face but
have enjoyed the companionship of His Spirit and felt His presence in a way not
to be mistaken. I know that my Redeemer lives and
gladly yield my humble efforts to establish his
teachings. The philosophies of men can never take the place of truth as
revealed to us by the Eternal Father. Individual happiness and world-wide peace
will not be permanent until those who dwell in the earth accept the Gospel and
conform their lives to its precepts. It is the power of God
unto salvation to all who believe and obey. It is the kind advice of a loving
Father who, seeing the end from the beginning, says: “This is the path; walk ye
in it, and eternal life and eternal progress and eternal happiness shall be
your reward.” Every fibre of my being vibrates with
the knowledge that He lives and some day all men will know it.
“The Savior died that we might live. He overcame
death and the grave and holds out to all who obey His teachings the hope of the
glorious resurrection.” (Testimonies, p.
53.)
“The highest of all ideals are the teachings and particularly the life of
Jesus of Nazareth, and that man is most truly great who is most Christlike.
“What you sincerely in your heart think of Christ will determine what you
are, will largely determine what your acts will be. No person can study this
divine personality, can accept his teachings without becoming conscious of an
uplifting and refining influence within himself. In fact, every individual may
experience the operation of the most potent force that can affect humanity.” (Cherished Experiences from the Writings of
President David O. McKay, comp. Clare Middlemiss [Salt Lake City:
Deseret Book Company, 1976], p. 24.)
“Like Job, I can say, ‘I know that my
Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.’ I
know that He came into the world to redeem the world from sin, and through the
atonement made by Him all men are redeemed from death. There shall be a
resurrection of the dead and all shall come forth, they who have done good to
receive an exaltation and they who have done evil to receive condemnation,
according to their works. I know that all men who repent and accept the Gospel
with pure hearts, are also redeemed through the blood of Christ, from their own
sins; for He suffered ‘for all, that they might not suffer if they would
repent, but if they would not repent, they must suffer,’ even as He, for His
blood will not cleanse the unrepentant sinner. I know that little children who
have not reached years of accountability, and hence are not guilty of sin, are
also redeemed through the blood of Christ and it is solemn mockery to contend
that they need baptism denying the justice and mercy of God.
I know that Jesus of Nazareth was the Only Begotten Son of God
in the flesh, with life in Himself. Because of this wonderful truth, it was
possible for Him to redeem us from death and the grave, and, on condition of
our repentance, from our individual sins. I know that men must repent and
receive the Gospel, being baptized by immersion for the remission of sins and
receive the laying on of hands by one who holds authority, for the bestowal of
the Holy Spirit, to enter into the kingdom of God.”
(Testimonies, p. 165.)
“There has come to me in these last few days a deepening and reassuring
faith. I can’t leave this conference without saying to you that I have a
conviction that the Master hasn’t been absent from us on these occasions. This
is his church. Where else would he rather be than right here at the
headquarters of his church? He isn’t an absentee master; he is concerned about
us. He wants us to follow where he leads. I know that he is a living reality,
as is our Heavenly Father. I know it. I only hope that I can qualify for the
high place to which he has called me and in which you have sustained me.
“I know with all my soul that these
sayings are true, and as a special witness I want you to know from the bottom
of my heart that there is no shadow of doubt as to the genuineness
of the work of the Lord in which we are
engaged, the only name under heaven by which mankind can be saved.” (“A
Blessing for the Saints,” Ensign, Jan.
1973, p. 134)
“To the testimonies of these mighty men and apostles of old—our brethren in
the ministry of the same Master—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.
“With all my heart I pray that the Saints may keep his
commandments, have his Spirit, and gain an eternal inheritance with him in
celestial glory.” (“An Eternal Hope in Christ,” Ensign, Nov. 1978, p. 73.)
The voices of the latter-day prophets have been raised with authority, and
they speak as men who know and love their Savior.
Their statements carry the same conviction and power as this stirring
declaration of Joseph Smith, which seems to summarize the message of the gospel
restoration:
“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
76:20-24.)
Gospel
topics: Jesus Christ, testimony
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