Last Sunday's RS Lesson

Erin taught a wonderful lesson about the Savior last week in Relief Society. We've posted it here for everyone to enjoy.
(There was also a fabulous powerpoint slideshow but I haven't been able to include it. If you'd like to see it please email or call Patty and we'll email it to you.)

2 Nephi 25:26 reads, "We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ..."

Who is this Christ of whom we revere with such fervor and gratitude? Hints can be found in the numerous titles by which he is known. Jesus asked his disciples, "Whom say ye that I am?" Throughout the life of Jesus Christ, he was constantly defining, expanding, and fulfilling his role as the Son of God. By studying his titles, his names, and responsibilities, we can come to understand our Savior: his role in our lives, and in the Plan of our Heavenly Father. Some of these titles include:

Jesus - his name, given in mortality, but chosen for him by his Father, and revealed to Mary. Literally means, "God is Help"
Christ/ Messiah - means "the annointed one". Jesus was literally annointed by the Father to be his representative in all things pertaining to the salvation of mankind
Jehovah/ I AM - means "to be", or "to exist". When refering to himself as Jehovah or The Great I AM, Jesus was literally proclaiming his reality and existence
Savior/ Redeemer - this role was foretold and anticipated long before his birth into mortality, and ultimately fulfilled via the atonement
Son of God - literally. From his Father, Christ inhereted the potential for eternal life. In the scriptures, God proclaims Jesus's divinity repeatedly, often with a plea to "hear him"
Lamb of God - Jesus offered himself, as a lamb, unspotted and unblemished, as the ultimate sacrifice
Immanuel - means "God is with us". When we use this title we proclaim the good news that God (Christ) was born into mortality!
Creator - translated, it means, "the word" or "the expression". Thus, in creating the world, Christ was serving ast the expression of his Father to the world
Advocate/ Mediator - it is only through Him, as He pleads our case, that we may return to our Heavenly Father

Certainly there are more names for Christ, and from each we can gain enlightenment into our Savior and the relationship we strive to build with him. We must do this! Christmas is a blessed time to review not only his birth, but also his life and purpose.

President Gordon B. Hinckley stated, "And so it is at this Christmas season, we sing His praises and speak our words of faith and gratitude and love. It is His influence in our lives that stirs within us more kindness, more respect, more love, more concern. It is because of Him and his teachings that we reach out to those in trouble, distress, and need wherever they may be...He has done for us what we could not do for ourselves. He has brought meaning to our mortal existence. He has given us the gift of eternal life. He was and is the Son of God who was 'made flesh, and dwelt among us...full of grace and truth'" (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, December 2002, "A Testimony of the Son of God").

How does His influence stir more kindness, respect, love, and concern within you? Do you reach out to others in trouble, distress, or need, because you know that is what He wants you to do? How has he brought meaning to your existence? This Christmas season, I invite each of us to ponder these questions. Who do you say is Jesus Christ? And how are you better, kinder, and more giving, by knowing Him? It is in answering these questions that the real meaning of Christmas will fill our hearts. It is more than a story about a baby. It is a story about your life, and my life, and the potential for immortality.

I know that Christ lived. I know he lives! It is through Him that we can become better - not just for a moment, but really change for the better. He loves us, and I love Him. He is all the titles we have discussed, and He is more. He is my friend.