the LIVING CHRIST memorized

In the year 2000 on January 1st, the First Presidency and the 12 apostles of  the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints published a document called  "The Living Christ"   It is a beautiful declaration of their testimonies of Jesus Christ.   Many have found comfort and power by memorizing the words of this document.  For anyone who would like to memorize "the Living Christ", you are welcome to us the cheat sheets below:

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice.  None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.  (1st  paragraph of “The Living Christ”, the testimony of the apostles, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1-1-00)

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 anything made that was made” (John 1:3).  Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness.  He “went about doing 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. (2nd  paragraph of “The Living Christ”, the testimony of the apostles, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1-1-00)

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.  (3rd  paragraph of “The Living Christ”, the testimony of the apostles, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1-1-00)

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary.  He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.  (4th  paragraph of “The Living Christ”, the testimony of the apostles, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1-1-00)

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20).  As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life.  He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America.  In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10)  (5th  paragraph of “The Living Christ”, the testimony of the apostles, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1-1-00)

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And Now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him:  That he lives!”  (7th  paragraph of “The Living Christ”, the testimony of the apostles, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1-1-00)

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-”  (8th  paragraph of “The Living Christ”, the testimony of the apostles, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1-1-00)

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God”. (D&C 76:22-24)  (9th  paragraph of “The Living Christ”, the testimony of the apostles, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1-1-00)

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His church have been restored upon the earth- “built upon the foundation of… apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20)  (10th  paragraph of “The Living Christ”, the testimony of the apostles, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1-1-00)

We testify that He will someday return to earth.  “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5).  He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him.  Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.  (11th  paragraph of “The Living Christ”, the testimony of the apostles, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1-1-00)

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles- that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God.  He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His 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.  (12th  paragraph of “The Living Christ”, the testimony of the apostles, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1-1-00)