In the first few posts we've been laying the foundation for faith. This week I want to continue this line of discussion. We began by discussing the validity of faith as a concept. Then we looked at faith in God. If any reader wishes to revisit these, just submit a post and I'll see what we can do.
For now, however, I want to turn to my favorite subject: faith in the Savior Jesus Christ. I spend a lot of time thinking about this particular subject. I find it such a precious topic because faith is really worthless if not founded in the Savior. It was difficult to figure out where to begin, however, until I asked for a little guidance from God. Fortunately, He responds to requests made in faith, and I received some guidance.
The story of Jesus Christ is retold many times in history, though often with variations from the truth. Some of these variations include Greek and Roman heroes such as Bellerophon (the son of Poseidon who captured Pegasus and slew the Chimera), Hercules (the son of Zeus who is considered one of the greatest heroes of mythology for the numerous great deeds he did since birth), and Perseus (the son of Zeus who slew Medusa and saved Andromeda from the sea monster). Each of these heroes has a godly father but is born by a mortal woman. Each is also responsible for miraculous events.
Jesus Christ actually was the literal son of God born by a mortal woman, Mary, though no infidelity like those found in mythology was involved. In addition He was responsible for a multitude of miraculous events throughout His life. However, the miracles Christ performed were for the benefit of others, not He. In addition Christ originally came to earth to teach, heal, and guide the world, not defeat the enemies of good as most of mythological heroes do. This second purpose is saved for His Second Coming.
Now, if you’re like me, you’re thinking the amount of times a story is retold doesn’t make it true. I agree, but the world has more to support the validity of the life of Jesus Christ than variations of His story. We actually have the story of the life of Christ. This story is contained in the New Testament.
In this wonderful collection of books, Mary gives birth to the Son of God, who is Jesus Christ. He grows up and proceeds to perform His miracles. After demonstrating to the world the true path of happiness—that of service—Jesus suffers the pains of the world in Gethsemane and gives up His life on Calvary. His body is then laid in a tomb until He takes it up again a few days later, breaking the bands of death. The New Testament then gives a brief history of his apostles after Christ appears to them as a resurrected being.
The New Testament often comes with its supporting text, the Old Testament. Together they are often referred to as the Bible. The Old Testament provides the history of God’s dealings with man. The members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recognize the God of this collection of books as Jehovah before He came to earth as the son of Mary. Within its pages are also found promises of the coming of the Messiah, who is Christ.
Interestingly, The Pearl of Great Price and The Dead Sea Scrolls provide support for the Old Testament. Many of the ancient documents found by the Dead Sea contain the stories of the Old Testament. These documents are not recognized as canonized scripture, but their support of the Old Testament also serves as evidence for the validity of the story of Jesus Christ.
The Pearl of Great Price provides two additional testaments of the creation of the world as performed by Jehovah. In addition it provides the story of the appearance of Christ to Joseph Smith in the early 1800s. Another testament from modern times is The Doctrine and Covenants. This book provides revelations from God to our time. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints accept these priceless collections as scripture.
The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ does exactly what its subtitle states. It provides additional evidence of Jesus Christ. This wonderful collection of books finds the majority of its setting in the American continents. This is significant because it provides evidence of Christ’s story from a separate location. The stories in The Book of Mormon span approximately 1,000 years: 600 before the coming of Christ in the flesh, and 400 after. One of its books, titled 3 Nephi, contains the history of Christ’s visit to the people of America shortly after His resurrection.
Something that sets The Book of Mormon apart from the other books we’ve mentioned so far is the ease with which readers can understand the stories. Though still written in an ancient language, the text is written more plainly. This makes it easier to follow and understand. In addition, The Book of Mormon focuses directly on Christ. More than half of its verses testify of Jesus Christ in some manner. Thus it is an important resource in testifying of Christ. Can it replace the Old and New Testaments? Certainly not. If all you turn to is The Book of Mormon you are mistakenly losing the precious testaments of Christ found in the books of the Bible. But those who truly love Christ will find The Book of Mormon a wonderful addition to the Bible because of its testament of the Savior of us all.
These books, along with many others in the world, testify of the life of Christ and serve to promise we are justified in having faith in Him. Unfortunately, I’ve already taken up to much space and need to leave this line of the discussion at this point. Next time I plan to revisit faith in the Savior Jesus Christ, though from a different perspective.
So let me close this blog with my testimony of the truth of the stories of the life of Christ. I’ve had the privilege of receiving a personal witness that Christ did condescend to earth as the son of Mary. I have no doubt but that He walked on this earth performing miracles. I know He truly gave Himself as an offering for the pains of this world, whatever their form. I know He died and was resurrected. These stories are true. Of this I stand as a witness.
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