The Living Christ: The Scriptural Basis for Latter-day Saint Beliefs About Christ

On January 1, 2000 the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a document which contained their special witness of the reality and divinity of the life, ministry, and atonement of Jesus Christ entitled The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles. (Read it in its entirety HERE).

 

When this remarkable declaration was issued to the world, the First Presidency (President Gordon B. Hinckley and his two counselors, James E. Faust and Thomas S. Monson) sent a letter of introduction to church leaders around the world which stated:

“The Prophet Joseph Smith declared: ‘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.’ In that spirit, we add our witness to that of our predecessors...We encourage you to use this written testimony in helping to build the faith of our Heavenly Father’s children” (First Presidency letter, Dec. 10, 1999).

The mere existence of this document is powerful evidence that we do indeed have a living prophet and living apostles once more in our day.  Much like the apostles and prophets of old, these modern day apostles have been called to be special witnesses that Jesus is the Christ and that He died for our sins and was resurrected on the third day.

Acts 10:39-43  And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.  And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.  To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

If you are willing to study the remarkable claims and statements of belief made in The Living Christ, it will become clear to you that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has an understanding of Jesus Christ, His nature, His mission, and His atonement that is unique in the history of this world for its clarity and simplicity. Moreover, there are aspects of Christ's nature that ONLY the Latter-day Saints fully grasp and teach. Not only that, but The Living Christ helps to establish that Latter-day Saints truly do believe in the Christ of the Bible, and not "another Jesus." It also helps to show that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints truly is Christ's Church in the latter days, and that it is led by a living and active Savior who directs the work for the good of the whole world.

If The Living Christ proves anything, it is that the Latter-day Saint case for Christ is stronger than even most Latter-Day Saints understand. All of the scriptures testify of the truths taught in it, and it bears the testimony of prophets and apostles of God. The Living Christ is special (in part) because it is NOT another creed or formulation which tries to parse dry semantics or technical distinctions concerning Christ and his nature. It is powerful truth, derived from continuing revelation given to living prophets directly by God.

If we truly grasped the unique power and clarity of what we Latter-day Saints believe and teach and know about Jesus Christ we would realize that what we have is truly a "pearl of great price." To those many skeptics in this modern world, we know and can testify that Jesus did indeed live, and die, and then rise again, and we can explain why that matters. Our knowledge that He lives and that He is active in the world today has the power to change the world. The world needs to know that Christ's mission and ministry wasn't limited to a few years in Judea two thousand years ago. Instead, we know that His power (and His work) extends for all eternity; past, present, and future. On a more personal level, we know that each one of us can develop our own real, meaningful, and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is interested in our individual welfare and happiness, and He involves Himself in the lives of all those who will let Him in. Christ is not an incomprehensible mystery, or a remote and formless spirit. He lives, and He loves us, and we can know him for ourselves in a very real, and deeply profound way.

The Living Christ is a remarkable document for many reasons, and not least because the doctrines set forth within it do not depend, wholly or even substantially, on the so-called restoration scriptures (such as the Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, or The Pearl of Great Price).  In fact, as I studied “The Living Christ,” I was pleased to find that the major doctrinal points in it can be amply supported by scripture contained in the Bible.  The Living Christ goes a long way towards demonstrating that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in and teach of the genuine Christ of the Bible. What I mean by this is that Latter-day Saint beliefs and teachings concerning Christ can be supported wholly and directly from the Bible, with the added caveat that Latter-day Saints reject the innovations made in the creeds and councils that took place in the centuries since the death of the last of the Apostles. 

Due to our rejection of the creeds, Latter-day Saints are often accused of “preaching a different Jesus” (see 2 Cor. 11:4) than the rest of Christianity.  Further, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are often informed that their beliefs are not biblical because they depart from the standards established by the creeds (rather than the Bible alone). That is why this document is so valuable--even though we can rely on the "more sure word of prophecy" as the source for our claims about the Living Christ--it demonstrates that we can also confidently point to the Bible to lend additional strength to those claims, and that while we may choose to reject the creeds, this does not make our beliefs any less “biblical” (in fact I would argue that our rejection of the creeds makes our beliefs more biblical in nature, also See 2 Peter 1:19).

It is true that we have (or rather God has) added several books to the scriptural canon that most Christians do not accept, and so those who accuse us of not being Christian might well suspect that any declaration that we may make concerning Jesus Christ must depend largely upon our own scriptures for substantiation, because surely we cannot support our beliefs biblically.  On occasion I have noted that some Latter-day Saints also tend to assume that we rely on the Book of Mormon (or other scriptures unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) in order to establish our version of things, and that the Bible is only a secondary source for those beliefs.  In this regard The Living Christ is important because it demonstrates these various assumptions to be entirely false, while simultaneously illustrating the central role that the Bible plays in establishing our most basic doctrines and beliefs.

The Living Christ has great value as a missionary tool, and the truths contained within it have the power to change hearts and minds throughout the world, and to bring many to a personal knowledge of (and relationship with) their Savior. However, The Living Christ has equal value as a teaching tool for each member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to use to learn exactly what it is that we believe and teach concerning Jesus Christ. It is not enough that we know that we know these things. We need to be able to explain our doctrine to the rest of the world in a way that is meaningful, and which they can understand. That is why a deeper study of The Living Christ is important and necessary.

To the end of fostering a deeper study of this landmark document, as well as demonstrating the centrality of Jesus Christ and His atonement in Latter-day Saint beliefs, and demonstrating the importance of the Bible in establishing those beliefs, I have included my own breakdown of The Living Christ which highlights some of the more important statements contained in the document and presents a number of scriptures that can be used to support each assertion.  Most of these scriptures, as you will see, come from the Bible but I have included scriptures from the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants in order to further establish the truth of the statements made in The Living Christ as well as to show how well these scriptures harmonize with what is taught in the Bible.

The rest of this article focuses mainly on tying scripture references to the principles taught by the Prophet and the Apostles in The Living Christ. However, I have written extensively (and in great detail) elsewhere about practically every aspect of Jesus Christ, His nature, and His atonement. If you are interested in learning more about what Latter-day Saints believe and teach about the Savior and His atonement, I invite you to check out the following series of articles:

Why Only Jesus Could Be The Christ

Why Did Jesus Have to Die on the Cross?

Why Gethsemane is as Important as Calvary

Are You A Christian If You Don't Believe In The Trinity?

Is the Atonement of Jesus Christ Enough for All of Us?

Christ and the Healing Power of the Atonement

He is Risen! The Case For the Resurrection of Christ

The Atonement Defined I: Justification

The Atonement Defined II: Sanctification

You Are Never Beyond The Reach of God's Love

The Living Christ

1    1)      “He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New.”

Isaiah 43:1, 3, 10-12  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.  For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.  Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.  I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.  I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.

Daniel 3:25  He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

John 8:56-59  Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.  Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?  Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.  Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

I included the last verse about the people’s attempt to stone Christ after His declaration that “Before Abraham was, I am” because it shows that the people understood exactly what He was telling them; namely that He was the God of the Old Testament, which statement they considered to be blasphemy and a thus a stoning offense.

D&C 110:2-4  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: am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father.

A Guide to 45 Self-Contained Book of Mormon Chapter Studies

Here is a list consisting of my recommendations for 45 self-contained Book of Mormon chapter studies. Each chapter focuses on a particular doctrinal principle (or several) and you can easily devote your individual scripture study to a single chapter (devotional-style).  I adapted my list from a similar list found in Preach My Gospel pages 47-48.  I did this at a friend's request, because she is approaching the Book of Mormon for the first time and she wants to learn the doctrine without wading through so much war and history.

To be clear, this exercise is not intended to disparage or downplay the importance of the war chapters in any way, nor is this list intended to be viewed as authoritative or comprehensive.  This is nothing more than a list of the doctrine heavy chapters that I happen to love the most, which I created in order to encourage my friend to read the Book of Mormon.  I encourage YOU to encourage YOUR friends to read the Book of Mormon, and if this list helps you to do that, then so much the better.  To that end, you can request a free copy of the Book of Mormon HERE.  For more on the value and purpose of the Book of Mormon check out my article: "4 Purposes of The Book of Mormon"

Each chapter that I have recommended includes a few brief highlights to explain why it is on the list, and a few special chapters are also marked **MUST READ**.  I have also included a link to a pdf version of this list to make it easier to print.

The Book of Mormon
Suggested Devotional-style Reading Course

Title Page & Intro

1 Nephi 8-11 -- Lehi and Nephi’s visions of the tree of life

2 Nephi 2 -- Individual Agency, Redemption only by merits, mercy, grace of Holy Messiah unto all those w/ broken heart & contrite spirit, The Fall of Adam **MUST READ**

2 N 9 -- Judgment, second death, need for/power of resurrection

2 N 25 -- Salvation by grace “after all we can do,” Law of Moses points to Christ

2 N 27 -- prophecy concerning the intent and coming forth of the Book of Mormon

2 N 28 -- The Great Apostasy

2 N 29 -- Bible and Book of Mormon both vital to salvation

2 N 31 -- Why Christ needed to be baptized, formal statement of gospel doctrine as requirement of salvation  **MUST READ**

2 N 32 -33 -- Power and function of Holy Ghost, Vital importance of prayer

Jacob 4 -- Function of prophets, need for revelation, purpose of law of Moses

Book of Enos (1 chapter long) -- Enos prays and experiences power of atonement

Mosiah 2-5 -- King Benjamin’s great address-too many highlights to list **MUST READ**

Mosiah 12-16 -- Abinadi testifies of Christ before his own martyrdom

Mosiah 18 -- Alma teaches the terms of Baptism & discipleship

Mosiah 27 -- Alma the younger is spiritually born again.  (all subsequent references to Alma will be to Alma the younger).

Alma 5 -- True conversion, Judgment day, Stripped of pride & envy?, Sheep of the good shepherd or not, How to gain testimony for oneself.  **MUST READ**

Alma 7 -- The power and particulars of the atonement **MUST READ**

Alma 11 -- Resurrection  **MUST READ**

Alma 12 -- Fall of Adam, judgment, spiritual & temporal death

Alma 13 -- Foreordination (election), The high priesthood and conversion, Life of Melchizedek, humility

Alma 22 (17-22) -- Miraculous Conversion of Lamanites

Alma 26 -- Ammon rejoices after conversion of many Lamanites, Natural man cannot know the mysteries of God

Alma 30 -- Alma contends with the Anti-Christ Korihor

Alma 32 -- Alma’s great sermon concerning faith **MUST READ**

Alma 34 -- the atonement and the end of animal sacrifice, exhortation to prayer, “This life is the time to prepare to meet God” **MUST READ**

Alma 36 -- Alma recounts his conversion

Alma 40 -- The doctrine of the spirit world, the mechanics of the resurrection  **MUST READ**

Alma 41 --  Judgment, “Wickedness never was happiness”

Alma 42 -- The Fall, This life is a time of probation, Justice and Mercy satisfied by atonement, Anyone who will come may come and partake of the waters of life

Helaman 5 -- Helaman teaches his sons Nephi and Lehi before they devote their lives to preaching the gospel, Christ not come to redeem IN sins, but rather FROM sins, Build on the rock of our redeemer, miraculous escape from prison in which God (not Christ) speaks

Helaman 14 -- Samuel the Lamanite prophesies of the birth of Christ, Power of resurrection, judgment, spiritual death i.e. the second death

3 Nephi 9-10 -- The resurrected Christ speaks to the Nephites from the heavens.  The sacrifices he commands are the sacrifice of a broken heart & contrite spirit

3 N 11 -- The resurrected Christ appears in person to the Nephites, introduced by God, the people witness that He is Christ by touching the wounds in his side and in His hands, gives authority to prophet Nephi and some others to baptize in His name, teaches correct form and manner of baptism, Formal statement of particulars of His gospel, condemns contention  **MUST READ**

3 N 12-14 -- Christ commissions 12 Nephite apostles, teaches “the Sermon at the Temple” which is a refined version of the sermon on the mount

3 N 15-16 -- The Law of Moses Fulfilled in Christ, “Other sheep I have”

3 N 18 -- Christ institutes the Sacrament & teaches significance & blessings of observing sacrament worthily, Power of (personal & family) prayer to protect from Satan, “I know my sheep, and they are numbered”  **MUST READ**

3 N 27 -- Christ explains why His church must bear HIS name, Christ’s resurrection brings all men to stand before God to be judged, formal statement of doctrines of Gospel, must be washed in blood of Savior to enter into kingdom, “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”  **MUST READ**

Mormon 9 -- Sinners more comfortable in Hell than with God, redemption from the fall, miracles

Ether 3 -- The Savior appears to the brother of Jared, nature of Christ, faith to become sons and daughters of God

Ether 12 -- Hope maketh an anchor to the souls of men & faith=hope for a better world, receive not a witness until after the trial of your faith, w/o faith God can do no miracle, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."  **MUST READ**

Moroni 7 -- How to judge for ourselves, miracles, Faith, Hope, and CHARITY **MUST READ**MUST READ**MUST READ**

Moroni 8 -- Condemnation of false doctrine of child/infant baptism, “The first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins”

Moroni 10 -- “Moroni’s promise”, Spiritual Gifts, How to become perfect in Christ **MUST READ**

Are We Saved by Grace, or by Works?

In the centuries that have passed between the death of the Apostles and our modern age there has been much debate and disputation over the precise nature and means of our individual and collective salvation. Since the Reformation, this debate has largely taken the form of a question of whether faith (or grace) alone will bring salvation, or if works are necessary as well (or instead), and if so, to what degree? Most often, this has been couched in a sort of Faith VERSUS Works argument in which opposing camps put forward one or the other as competing and opposing routes to salvation.

This argument often centers on the idea that we are saved by the grace of God regardless of our personal actions, and that any notion that we must complete a checklist of works in order to gain admittance to heaven is the worst kind of human arrogance, and a relic of the long-abandoned Law of Moses. This doctrine was a natural reaction by the Protestants of the Reformation to the Catholic assertion that one must receive certain rites, and complete certain performances under the exclusive auspices of the Church in order to gain salvation. The Protestants referred to Paul’s writings as they denounced the notion that salvation depends on empty performances (or as Paul puts it, dead works). Some even went so far as to say that it does not matter what we as individuals do, salvation through the grace of Christ is a free gift to all, saints and sinners alike, regardless of any action or lack thereof on our part. They claimed that, due to our mortal weakness, we are incapable of keeping the commandments, and that keeping them is no longer necessary in any case, because we are all saved through the atonement of Christ. In another view, John Calvin, in his doctrine of predestination and total election, claimed that God has already determined who is saved, and who is not, and that we have no choice in the matter.

As a missionary I talked to many people who tried to draw me into an argument over whether salvation is through faith or through our own works. These people often proceeded from the false assumption that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a “works church” (as opposed to a church that teaches that salvation comes only through the grace of Christ), and that it was their task to instruct me and my companion on the non-biblical fallacy of our doctrine.

The fact is that the LDS Church is not a “works church,” nor is it entirely a “grace church” in the sense that many evangelical Protestants define both terms today. My answer to the question of which of the competing doctrines of Salvation by Faith alone and Salvation by Works alone (as the world understands them) is the true one is a resounding “neither!"

Welcome!

I have established this blog in order to promote understanding and dialogue where religion is concerned. I also want to encourage people under 30 to stop being afraid of the scriptures and help them to start using them (and loving them) in a way that will help to make their lives better. I will draw from the standard works (canon) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (which consists of The KJV Bible, The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price). I also make references to various books of history, doctrine, and commentary by authors from across the christian world, as well as addresses given by the General Authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The opinions expressed in this blog are wholly those of the author, and do not represent the official opinions or position of the Church on any matter. In expressing my opinions, I will strive to keep in line with the official doctrine of the Church as much as I can, however I am not perfect in my understanding, and that should not be allowed to reflect on the church in any way.