Strengthening our Testimony of Jesus Christ

Oquirrh Mountain Ranch Ward

Sacrament Meeting 3.13.22

Strengthening our Testimony of Jesus Christ

Note: This was originally given as a talk in Sacrament Meeting. 

My dear sisters and Brothers

During the 88 years of my live, by now nearly 89 years, I have resided in 35 different Wards or Branches, 7 Missions and 11 Stakes. In all of them my testimony of our Savior has been strengthened by opportunities to serve, and mostly by the love of very dear friends. Not only has the Oquirrh Mountain Ranch Ward not been an exception to the loving experiences encountered, but on the contrary, she stands as a shining example of the love and closeness which will build Zion throughout the world.

Permit me to consider with you three phases of the Love of our Heavenly Father for all of us as expressed by John (John 3:16) “for God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting Life.”

In the first phase of this discussion, I would have you remember that our Father taught this principle to Adan and Eve in the Garden when he promised them that while Satan would have power to bruise his heel, his seed (Christ) would have power to crush his head. Later after they had been cast out of the Garden and had built an alter to pray to the Father and to offer a sacrifice, they were taught that they should offer a sacrifice because that was a symbol of the last and infinite Sacrifice of the Savior’s Atonement.

I would like to give two more examples, this time of a prophet, whose message Christ describes as: “Great are the words of Isaiah”. As I do this, I would like to invite you to a spiritual feast which will come as an answer to your search of the scriptures for additional prophesies of the coming of the Messiah.

Isaiah 53:4 Surely, He hath borne our grief, and carried our sorrows

Isaiah 61:1 – 2 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; 

        Or in Numbers 24:17 Behold a Star from Jacob shining, and a scepter from Israel rising Mendelssohn Christus

And of course, there is the promise to Abraham, given also to Isaac, and then to Jacob:  In Thee and Thy seed shall all the families of the Earth be blessed. 

There really are only three truly universal blessings: One is life itself, then there is death. Without death there would be no resurrection and no possibility for Eternal Life. And that possibility is given through the atoning sacrifice of Christ. So, this promise to Abraham is two-fold. (Gen 12:3) On the one hand Abraham is promised that He who would make the resurrection and Eternal Life possible would be borne as his seed. Jesus Christ would come through the lineage of Abraham. Mary would be a distant daughter of Israel. Furthermore, the numerous descendants of Abraham, as many as the grains of sand in the sea, will have the opportunity and responsibility to take the message of the Gospel, the Good News, the joy of forgiveness through the atonement of Christ, to the world. We of the house of Israel have that calling.

In the second phase of contemplating the mission of our Savior we come to the fulfilment of the earlier prophesies. We find Christ in the synagogue of Nazareth. By now he has already done some teaching, and word of his impact has already reached his home, so, the minister hands him the scroll of scriptures and he reads from Isaiah (Luke 4:15 – 21, Isaiah 61:1 – 2). He reads, hands back the scroll and then sits down, which at that time meant he had something to say. All eyes are upon him. They recognize the scripture as a Messianic prophesy, they eagerly await the day of his coming.  “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”  They reject him. In contrast, another fulfilment of the prophesies. (John 4:6 – 26) Christ travels through Samaria, and somewhat fatigued he sends the apostles to get food and he sits down by Jacob’s well, A Samaritan woman comes and he asks her to draw some water for him. She is amazed, that he, a Jew, would talk to a Samaritan. His response: if you knew who I am you would ask me for water, and I would give you living water. After a lengthy conversation he says: “I, that speak unto thee am he”. Let me give you a third example: (John 8:31-58)

So, as the descendants of Israel, how do we respond? How do we meet our opportunity in the third phase of the great Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Let me use three Hymns by way of a suggestion.

I love all three of these hymns, I can’t ever sing any one of them without tears filling my eyes. The first is a very sweet Christmas carol: Away in a manger. In the second verse we sing: ” I love Thee, Lord Jesus”.  I hope we do! The second is the Battle Hymn of the Republic. In the second verse we sing: “Be swift my soul to answer Him, be jubilant my feet.”

 The third is a Hymn of the Restoration: “Rise up. O, Men of God, have done with lesser things. Give heart and soul and mind and strength to serve the King of Kings.

In Conclusion, may I suggest you follow the Savior’s council to “search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”  (John 5:39) Search the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon before 3rd Nephi, for the Prophesies of the coming of the Messiah, then search the New Testament for the teachings by Christ. As you do so I promise you a level of joy beyond what you expected as you permit Christ to permeate your life. You will find the peace He promised (John 16:33) 

The Love and the Friendship which I experienced in your midst at the side of a wonderful woman during the past four years will always be with me. I express my gratitude and love to you and to my Heavenly Father,

Recognizing the love which is responsible

For sending His Son

Who makes it possible for us to experience the Joy of Forgiveness,

As we approach Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

In the Name of Jesus Christ

Amen