Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He is the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. Jesus has a mortal mother-Mary and an immortal Father-Elohim; thus, He possess mortal characteristics from Mary and godly characteristics from His Father.
Jesus came to earth to do the Father’s will, to atone for our sins and transgressions to enable us to overcome sin and death. His atoning sacrifice is the most important single event in the history of the world, and it will never be surpassed in importance.
Come unto Christ, partake of His goodness, learn truth, obey the truth, endure faithfully to the end of your life, and gain eternal life, the life that God and Christ live. Your invitation is Come Unto Him.
The Via Dolorosa consists of Jesus’ 14 stations of the cross processional path through a few winding streets of the Old City Jerusalem from the former Antonia Fortress (named after Mark Antony) (Pilate’s Palace) to His Burial in the tomb (now The Church of the Holy Sepulchre), Approximately 660 yards long, a little less than half mile.
The 14 Stations Include:
Pilate’s Palace where Jesus was scourged and flogged with a whip and tortured by the crown of plaited thorns
Jesus was given the cross
Jesus fell the first time
Mary, Jesus’ mother, greets Him
Simon of Cyrene carries the cross
Veronica uses her veil to wipe Jesus’ face of blood, sweat, mud, spital
Jesus falls a second time
Daughters of Zion weep for Jesus
Jesus falls a third time
Jesus is stripped of His garments. Anesthetic (wine)
Jesus Christ is the head of the true church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was head of His church in ancient times, and He is the head of His church today.
The apostle Paul taught emphatically that “Christ is the head of the church” (Ephesians 5:23). Make no mistake about it. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Chris’t church. It bears His name, and it contains the fullness of His everlasting gospel. The gospel Jesus taught anciently in His church is the same gospel that is taught today in His true church. Anciently taught faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. These same principles and ordinances are taught in His church today.
We learn from the Book of Mormon-Another Testament of Jesus Christ that Christ’s gospel consists of the following found in 3 Nephi 27:13-15, as taught by Jesus Christ himself:
13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me. 14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil— 15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.
Christ is the head of His church, and he reveals His will to His duly called and ordained servants, his prophets and apostles. We learn in Amos 3:7 that God will do nothing save He will reveal His words and doctrine to His servants the prophets. We also know that Jesus had Apostles and Prophets in His ancient church who served as the foundation of His church:
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Thus we see that Jesus Christ is the head of His church having apostles and prophets for the church’s foundation.
Jospeh Smith, in the spring of 1820, went into a grove of trees near his father’s farm in upper state New York to pray. His objective was to pray and ask God which church was the true church, which church he should join. Young Joseph shares his experience and bears his testimony of the divine truths he received. He gained a perfect knowledge of God the Father and his only begotten son, Jesus Christ. He also learned which church he should join and become a member of.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, on December 25 each year. Groups of people and various organizations celebrate Jesus’ birth on December 25, some on other dates, and some do not celebrate the birth of Jesus at all. We claim the privilege of everyone worshipping according to the dictates of his/her own conscience and allow all men that same privilege.
We testify that Jesus Christ was born in the meridian of time to the Virgin Mary in the town of Bethlehem of Judea. He was born in a humble stable. Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of God the Father. Jesus’ birth was different from anyone else in that He has a mortal mother, Mary, and an immortal Father, Elohim or Heavenly Father.
Jesus’ divine sonship separates Him apart from all other births. His birth was foreseen by all true prophets throughout the ages. One such prophet was Alma. Let’s read Alma’s testimony and prophecy of the coming of Jesus into the world:
And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God [Alma 7:10, Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ].
As you can see, Mary was overshadowed by the Holy Ghost, and Jesus was conceived by this same power. Jesus is subject to a mortal mother-Mary, and to an immortal Father-Elohim, His biological father. Joseph was Mary’s espoused husband.
Another prophecy of Jesus’ birth is found in Isaiah of the Old Testament. Isaiah saw Jesus’ day and Jesus being born. He prophesied:
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).
Many other prophecies about Jesus’ birth were fulfilled, for we learn in Amos the role of prophets:
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). Thus we see that God does reveal word and His will to His servant the prophets. As you know, there are many false prophets throughout the world, along with true prophets. How do you distinguish between true prophets and false prophets? Jesus himself gave the answer.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:16-20)
The Church of Jesus Christ uses the King James Version of the Bible; therefore, we accept the Christmas contained within the KJV. Let’s read the Christmas found in Luke 2:1-14
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Joseph Smith was a true prophet and seer of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through Joseph Smith the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was established. It is The Church of Jesus Christ of times meridian restored in our modern day.
Joseph Smith was born December 23, 1805 in the town of Sharon, Windsor County Vermont. He was born into a family that was extremely religious. The family said family and individual prayers each day. Each member of the Smith family wanted to have a good and personal relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ; however, there was one problem: they didn’t know which church to join. They did not know which church was true.
[Website: newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org]
One day Joseph Smith was reading in the Bible and came across the passage in James 1:5-6: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth liberally and upbraidith not, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that waverith is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
So Joseph did this very thing. He went into a grove of trees and prayed to God hoping to learn which church was true. While he was praying, the heavens were opened unto him. God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him and told him not to join any of the churches because the true church was not on the earth at the time. God and Jesus admonished Joseph to be true and faith and that he would be the instrument through which the true church of Jesus Christ would be restored.
Through Joseph Smith The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was established April 6, 1830. This is the Lord’s true church upon the earth today.
“Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!” (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3).
We honor Joseph Smith on his birthday December 23, 1805.
“Praise to the Man Who Communed with Jehovah” (Church Hymnal, “Praise to the Man”
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Lyrics
1. Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.Blessed to open the last dispensation,Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.
[Chorus]Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;Death cannot conquer the hero again.
2. Praise to his mem’ry, he died as a martyr;Honored and blest be his ever great name!Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins,Plead unto heav’n while the earth lauds his fame.
3. Great is his glory and endless his priesthood.Ever and ever the keys he will hold.Faithful and true, he will enter his kingdom,Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.
4. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven;Earth must atone for the blood of that man.Wake up the world for the conflict of justice.Millions shall know “Brother Joseph” again.
15 After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.
16 But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
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 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!
18 My object in going to inquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right (for at this time it had never entered into my heart that all were wrong)—and which I should join.
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.”
20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.” It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy? (Joseph Smith — History 1:15-20)
JOSEPH SMITH—HISTORY
EXTRACTS FROM THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH, THE PROPHET
“I saw two personages whose brightness and glory defy all description.”
Artwork: Del Parson Website: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/image/the-first-vision-fe5db8d?lang=eng
Cleo Brinkley Haymore is my mother. She was a strong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She gained her testimony that the church is true while young in her life, and she always remained true and faithful to this testimony. She never veered to the right or left, and nothing or nobody could shake her knowledge of the truthfulness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She lived a humble and saintly life and was dearly beloved. Here is a copy of her personal testimony.
This is mother. Mother diligently read the scriptures practically every day. This brought her closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. She loved prayerfully reading the word of God. She did most of her reading at night just before going to sleep, and she continued this practice unto her last few breaths.
William Martin Brinkley was my great-grandfather from Mount Airy, North Carolina. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ to his family. Once he gained a testimony that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was the true church, he never denied.
Here is a copy of his one sentence testimony:
“I lay no claim as to living the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the fulness, but I have approached it near enough to know it is true.” (William Martin Brinkley)
