We Believe In Christ

Just a few days ago, I was rushing to drop my 2 oldest children off at school, hurrying to make the assembly that would promptly start just as school began. As we approached the parking lot it was evident by the brake lights ahead of us that there would be some waiting time as parents were dropping slowly, but cautiously their own children off at school. Now there is a certain order to all things and dropping children off at school is not exempt from this order. For the safety of all kids, rules have been heavily enforced by the crossing guards and their principals to this process. One wrong move warrants a sharp warning voice of reprimand and to do it correctly the next time. I know, because it has embarrassingly happened too me before. But this morning I was willing to risk the embarrassment and encourage Tate to jump out of the car in an unmarked, but safe area, that he might be on time for the assembly. I sharply heard from behind me the voice of my oldest saying quickly and crossly “Mom, do you want to live with Jesus again?” My brief reply came “well, yes” and when those words barely finished coming from my mouth, Madison spoke with great force and a wonderful example too me. “Then act like you do!”

That was it. I drove the car to another spot and dropped off the kids. I thought about the goodness of children and what I try to instill in mine on a hourly basis it seems of how to improve and behave the way Jesus would want us too and was also learning from my 8 y/o daughter that my example wasn’t matching these teachings.

Then in my mind I began asking questions that helped me formulate this very talk. How can we live with Him again? How do we believe in Christ? Who is He in whom we believe?

From the Hymn “I Believe in Christ” came these words.

I believe in Christ; he is my King! With all my heart to him I’ll sing: I’ll raise my voice in praise and joy, in grand amens my tongue employ. I believe in Christ; he is God’s Son. On earth to dwell his soul did come. He healed the sick; The dead He raised. Good works were his; his name be praised.

This was the introduction for the talk I gave the other day in sacrament meeting about Jesus Christ. It was a missionary Sunday and the speakers focused on the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what we Believe. I focused on "The Living Christ" and primarily used it for the entire talk. It was nice to have memorized it a few years ago.

The Christ in whom we believe in is “the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world. 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 going 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 is our Savior, and He will be our Judge. “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.”

Through His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and by giving His life on the cross—that is, by performing the Atonement—Jesus Christ saves us from our sins as we follow Him. Through His Resurrection, Jesus Christ saves us from physical death. Because He overcame death, we will all be given the gift of resurrection.

To believe in Christ comes great faith and hope in His perfect example that we want to emulate in our own lives.

King Benjamin, a prophet in The Book of Mormon”, addresses his people and admonishes them to follow the Savior whom they had never met or at that time had not even been born upon the earth. His counsel to them in verse 10 of Mosiah 4 concludes with “and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.”

While serving a mission in Florida, I recalled my great Mission President reciting these words of King Benjamin to us “see that ye do them.” This left a simple impression upon my mind. What we do is the result of our beliefs and our convictions of the Savior and what role He is to us in our lives.

The primary song “If the Savior stood Beside Me” indicates what we teach our children at a very young age.

If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously,
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would I say the things I say?
Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?
Would I try to share the gospel? Would I speak more reverently
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

Our behaviors, actions, words and thoughts reflect the love we have for Him.

I am one of the Activity Day leaders overseeing young girls between 8-11y/o in our ward. The Activity Day Program is to help spiritually improve the lives of our young young ladies that includes passing off goals in their “Faith in God” books. Our activity this past week was to encourage the girls to stand up for their beliefs amongst the negative pressures of the world. We had 2 amazing YW guest speakers from our ward come to talk to us. I say amazing, because that’s just who they are. They spoke of peer pressure and opposition in their lives that would have compromised their standards had they allowed it. But because of their strength and love for the Gospel, the Savior and His teachings, they have not fallen to these pressures. They are truly looked up to by their friends, acquaintances, leaders, teachers and family members because of their examples!

They follow the song “If The Savior Stood Beside me” wonderfully and I am privileged to know them.

In the 13^th Article of Faith is says “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous and in doing good to all men…If there is anything virtuous lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

These things that we seek after are because of the firm foundation that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has set for us. It brings happiness, peace, love and great joy having this knowledge.

Quoting from “The Living Christ” the apostles leave their testimony “that Jesus is the Christ, The immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of the 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.”

(As I read this talk from my Word folder, I couldn't think of a part that I wanted to exclude. So, I just shared all of it--exception of the closing.)

But I will mention that I am grateful for the Savior, His Life and His Plan. It allows me to have an increase love and joy with my family, relationships with others and a more clear outlook on life's purpose.

I Do Believe in Christ.