Our Savior - What the Savior did for Us

No manifestations of love stand supreme as these:

• Heavenly Father’s willingness to send his Beloved Son, Jesus Christ the Savior, into the world to save us



• the Savior's willingness to condescend from his high station to come into the world and sacrifice his life to rescue us.

Jesus was chosen by Heavenly Father to become our Savior. He volunteered to put into effect all the conditions of the Father’s Plan of Salvation. As the future Savior, Jesus became known as the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” 1

The Savior redeemed us from the Fall

The Fall of Adam and Eve was essential to our Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation. Without the Fall, we—the physical children of Adam and Eve and the spirit children of God--could not have fully experienced “opposition in all things” and the freedom to choose “eternal life” or “eternal death.” 2 Therefore, our present fallen state in this brief life is one of unimaginable eternal importance.

Programmed into this mortal life are several realities and a single way of deliverance:

1. Inherited fallen condition—As children of Adam and Eve, we inherit their fallen condition, which includes physical death and spiritual death. Also, our fallen condition makes us susceptible to life’s difficulties and Satan’s temptations, both of which provide an environment of intense testing of character. By means of this testing, we prove our loyalty to God and our determination to make and keep eternal covenants with him.



2. Conflict of wills—We feel an acute, internal conflict of wills. First, as spirit children of God, we have a “divine nature” 3 that causes us to yearn to become like him. Second, we are prone to be “natural” men and women, which pulls us sharply toward the world. Unchecked, the “natural man” is an enemy to God until “he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord….” 4



3. Temporarily blind—In our fallen state we are blind to our former glory and must “walk by faith rather than by sight;” 5 “for now we see through a glass, darkly.” 6 Why must we grope our way through this life? First, because our desperate seeking to find the Light in this world of darkness ensures that we will never let it go one we have found it; second, because no choice is more powerful than the one made when we are alone and faced with fierce and constant opposition. Therefore, in our present fallen state we are left to choose for ourselves “to see if [we] will do all things whatsoever the Lord [our] God shall command [us],” with the certain promise that our righteous and consistent choices will result in “glory added upon [our] heads for ever and ever.” (Abraham 3:25-26) 7



4. Our only hope—The Savior is our only hope of deliverance from the Fall of Adam. Because no human being except the Savior, Jesus Christ, has lived a sinless life, and because no human being can liberate himself from the effects of the Fall, we need a Savior to help us. Only the Savior, Jesus Christ, can redeem us from physical death by means of the universal resurrection; only the Savior can rescue us from life’s problems and our personal weaknesses; only the Savior can save us from the effects of sin that result in spiritual death; and only the Savior can show us the way and lead us back to Heavenly Father through the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

The Savior reveals the Father

Central to the mission of the Savior is his revealing the Father to the world. God, our Heavenly Father, has placed his power and name upon Jesus Christ.

“To know the Son is to know the Father…the Son was in the express image and likeness of the Father…he was one with the Father in all things, insomuch that he did and said what the Father would do and say in like circumstances."

Furthermore,

“unless men accept the Son, they cannot receive the Father. ‘No man cometh unto the Father, but by me,’ Jesus said.” 8 Other scriptures confirm that the Savior will reveal the Father to the faithful: “Neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” 9

The Savior performed miracles and taught the saving truths of the Gospel

Good works--President Gordon B. Hinckley said,

He "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill…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. 10

Grace--One of the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s love is his grace.

“a divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ. It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, made possible by his atoning sacrifice, that mankind will be raised in immortality.... It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works….”11

Moreover,

“Our sins make us unclean and unfit to dwell in God’s presence, and we need His [the Savior’s] grace to purify and perfect us ‘after all we can do.’” 12

In other words, we come unto Christ and ask for his help then we do all we can do and turn the rest over to the Savior with the assurance that he will make up the difference.

Doing all we can do include:

1. "having faith in Jesus Christ
2. repenting of our sins
3. being baptized by immersion for the remission of sins by one having aurthoity
4. receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands
5. enduring to the end.

These include the first principles and ordinances of the gospel,” 13 and if we live them, we receive the promise:

“…then is his [the Savior's] grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ….” 14

In summary,

“this grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts…It is truly the grace of Jesus Christ that makes salvation possible." 15

Miracles--As a sign that Jesus was truly the Son of God and had come to earth to reveal to us our Heavenly Father, the Savior wrought many mighty miracles by the power of God.

“Miracles are those occurrences wrought by the power of God which are wholly beyond the power of man to perform…they are marvels, wonders, and signs which cannot be duplicated by man's present powers or by any powers which he can obtain by scientific advancements.” 16

A prominent ruler of the Jews admitted to Jesus, “Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” 17

The Savior’s miracles of healing were outgrowths of his compassion; they were pure, voluntary offerings of love, indisputable evidences of his and Heavenly Father’s love for us. Each of the Savior’s miracles uniquely reflects something of his character, including his power, his awareness and his love. His greatest miracles were:

1. victory over death through the universal resurrection



2. victory over sin through his infinite suffering.

The Savior has the incomparable ability to save us from the consequences of sin, to forgive and remit sin, and to cause in us “a mighty change of heart.” 18

Higher Law of the Gospel--During his earthly ministry, the Savior taught men the higher law that fulfills the lesser law or the Law of Moses. “Behold, I say unto you that the law is fulfilled that was given unto Moses.” 19

The Sermon on the Mount is an essential statement on the Savior’s higher law. The teachings contained in the Sermon on the Mount are so important that the Savior repeated them to the Book of Mormon people when he appeared to them after his resurrection 20.

Another important part of the Savior’s higher law was a new law of sacrifice. Whereas the former law had required animal sacrifices, the higher law required a person’s broken heart and contrite spirit. 21

Charity: The pure love of Christ--The gospel that the Savior taught was one of love and unity. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” 22

Love, then, not outward rites, is the driving force of the Savior’s higher gospel law. The first two great commandments of the gospel of Jesus Christ are:

1. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him.”



2. “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” 23

All other commandments are appendages to these: “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” 24 We are also instructed that we must love the Savior “with all our heart, with all our might, mind, and strength,” and the ultimate expression of our love for him is “keeping his commandments.” 25

Pure love, Christlike love, is called charity. Charity has more to do with what you do than what you feel. Charity is saving love; charity lifts and rescues and forgives from enormous distances. As we experience the giving and receiving of charity, we eventually discover that we cannot escape its loving embrace, for “charity endureth forever.” 26

• Charity suffers long (endures a hardship or endures with someone during his/her hardship)
• Charity is kind
• Charity does not envy
• Charity is not vaunted up (does not boast)
• Charity is not puffed up (is not proud)
• Charity does not behave unseemly (does not act rudely)
• Charity seeks not her own (is not selfish)
• Charity is not easily provoked (bridles temper)
• Charity thinks no evil (tries to focus on the good)
• Charity does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth (is not glad that others finally get their due, but rejoices at the smallest positive movement forward)
• Charity bears all things (bears up under the weight of problems)
• Charity believes all things (recognizes and follows the truth)
• Charity hopes all things (knows that ultimately God is in charge)
• Charity endures all things (willing to keep covenants while enduring trials with the faith that Christ will sustain and reward you). 27

Charity is like a triangle with trust, sacrifice and loyalty as its sides. The Savior is perfect in the attribute of charity. He is completely trustworthy; he has sacrificed everything for us; and he is totally loyal to our relationship with him.

• Trust. We love many people whom we do not trust. Therefore, to trust is greater than to love; trust is the highest manifestation of love.



• Sacrifice. You can only love to the level of your sacrifice—how much you give is how much you love. Furthermore, you are loved to the level of the sacrifice made in your behalf—how much someone sacrifices for you is how much you are loved.



• Loyalty. This means: “I will never leave you; I will always be there for you; I will stand beside you and uphold you no matter what and for as long as it takes.

Charity waits—The pure love of Christ is marked by patience. Patience means:

“I will wait with you.”

“I will wait for you.”

“I will wait upon you.”

Regardless of your situation, I will wait.

Patience is a divine virtue that we all count on; we expect God to wait with us, to wait for us, and to wait upon [serve] us. It has been said, “There could be nothing as frightening as an impatient God.”

Wherever and whenever the Savior’s glorious gospel has been taught, it has reshaped the thinking of the world. Truly, the Gospel contains 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. 28

The Savior is our example

The Savior entreated all to follow His example. 29

The Savior is our great Exemplar. By emulating his life and living by his teachings, and by accepting his invitation to follow him, we will experience “peace and joy in this life, and assure us of an eternal and abundant life with him in his everlasting kingdom.” 30

• Emulating the Savior's life and living by his teachings.The Savior, Jesus Christ, asked this important question: “What manner of men ought ye to be?” then answering, he said, “Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” 31



• Accepting the Savior's invitation to follow him. We are taught this truth:

  “He gave his life that we might truly live, not just exist. He established the pattern, declaring: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life....’ (John 14:6.) Because the Savior is 'the way,' he beckons all to ‘come... follow me.’" (Matt. 19:21.)

Emulating the Savior's life and living by his teachings are expressions of love. To his seemingly indifferent children, the Savior pleads, ‘If ye love me, keep my commandments’ (John 14:15). To love God and your neighbor are the two great commandments (Matthew 22: 37-40). Christlike love is charity, which is built upon trust, sacrifice and loyalty. Therefore, the Savior says that if we are to preserve life, we must be prepared to give it away [as he did]…to the blessings and comfort and edification of others….” 32

An Apostle, Jeffery R. Holland, made the following appeal to follow the Savior’s example:

“My desire is for all of us—not just those who are "poor in spirit," but all of us—to have more straightforward personal experience with the Savior's example. Sometimes we seek heaven too obliquely, focusing on programs or history or the experience of others. Those are important but not as important as personal experience, true discipleship, and the strength that comes from experiencing firsthand the majesty of His touch.” 33

The Savior pointed the way to eternal life by being baptized

Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. 34

The Savior set the proper example by seeking baptism at the hand of John the Baptist. Because a purpose of baptism is to remit sins, and knowing that Jesus was sinless, John the Baptist at first protested. But the Savior persisted because baptism is also the entrance into the kingdom of God. Jesus wanted to “fulfil all righteousness.” 35

Through the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, including receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, we are born again into a new life. The Savior said to Nicodemus, “Except a man be born of water [baptism] and of the Spirit [Holy Ghost], he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” 36

Just as an infant enters a new existence at his birth, so we enter a new life when we make the baptismal covenant. This covenant includes:

1. taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ
2. always remembering him
3. keeping his commandments. 37

The Book of Mormon describes the baptismal covenant this way:

“…as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life--Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?”38

Therefore, remission of sins and entrance into the kingdom of God is only possible by following the Savior’s example: being baptism by immersion from one having legitimate priesthood authority.

The Savior instituted the sacrament

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. 39

Sacrament and sacrifice are interconnected. Sacrifice has always been part of true religion.

“To sacrifice is to give up something we value for the sake of something of greater worth…if we were not required to make sacrifices, we would never be able to develop the faith necessary for eternal life.” 40

Until the Savior’s death, the priesthood ordinance of sacrifice was typically made at a temple and always on an alter. Usually, a lamb was sacrificed, which was to typify the future sacrifice of the Lamb of God. On the eve of his great atoning sacrifice, the Savior, Jesus Christ, instituted the new ordinance of sacrifice--the sacrament--which, after his death and resurrection, would point the people’s “attention back to the great atoning sacrifice which he had wrought.” 41

“On the night before his Crucifixion, Jesus Christ met with his apostles and instituted the sacrament. ‘And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup [is] the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you’ (Luke 22:19-20). Today, we partake of bread and water [the sacrament] in remembrance of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice.” 42

When we partake of the emblems of the sacrament, we remember the Savior's sacrifice and the immense physical and spiritual agony that the Savior suffered for our sins, weaknesses and adversities. The broken bread represents the Savior’s body; the water represents the Savior’s blood. Because he suffered and overcame every obstacle standing between us and eternal life, the Savior can extend to us his mercy and saving grace.

By worthily partaking of the sacrament, we renew the covenants we made at our baptism. God also renews his promise to remit our sins. Once we are cleansed from sin, we are promised that we “may always have his Spirit to be with you,” 43 which companionship will guide us in the path of righteousness and lead us to eternal life.

The Savior established his church and priesthood

The higher law of the gospel required higher priesthood to administer it. The higher gospel law also required a higher Church organization in which the gospel would function. During his mortal ministry, the Savior taught his higher gospel and created a Church to house and protect it. The Savior's church was called by his name: The Church of Jesus Christ. The Church was built upon the sure “foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.” 44

Jesus Christ, the Savior, ordained his apostles to the higher priesthood to be the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ then he sent them forth to teach people the gospel truths. He told them: “… I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit.” 45 Without the foundation of Apostles and prophets and authorized priesthood authority, the Church of Jesus Christ would crumble.

The Savior atoned for us

We solemnly testify that His life…is central to all human history…. 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. 46

The word atonement means: “amends or reparation made for an injury or wrong,” 47 or in other words “to reconcile or to restore to harmony.” 48 Often the word atonement is defined by its phonetic parts: at-one-ment, suggesting the Savior’s immeasurable ability to make us at one with God.

The Savior’s atonement is central to Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become reconciled and restored to harmony with our Heavenly Father. Despite our most hideous wrongdoings, we can be “made perfect through Jesus.” 49

Before the world was created, Heavenly Father called his children together in a great council and presented to them his Plan of Salvation, which provided that his “spirit children might advance and progress and become like him.” 50 Jesus Christ volunteered to carry out Heavenly Father’s plan. Because Jesus' atonement is central to the Plan of Salvation that plan became known as the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Plan of Salvation consisted of these essential elements:

1. Free moral agency—freedom of choice, meaning “the privilege to be given to every soul to choose for himself ‘liberty and eternal life’ through obedience to the laws of God, or ‘captivity and death’ as to spiritual things because of disobedience.” 51



2. A Savior—to “make intercession for all the children of men… [that] they that believe in him shall be saved.” 52



Here are some of the ways that the scriptures describe the Savior’s ability to save:

• The Savior saves us from physical death through his resurrection;
• The Savior saves us from sin because he suffered and paid the penalty for our sins;
• The Savior saves us by providing an authorized way that we can be born again (baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost), which leads to a mighty change of heart and knowing the truth.
• The Savior saves us in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom where God dwells.
3. The guarantee that obedience brings blessings—Heavenly Father decrees that obeyed laws must result in blessings. 53 We can claim all blessings from God, including salvation and eternal life “by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.” 54

The Plan of Salvation also required two necessary but seemingly opposing plans:

1. The Plan of Justice



2. The Plan of Mercy

Only the Savior could implement the Plan of Salvation and balance the conditions of both justice and mercy.

The Plan of Justice

Justice means that laws must exist. Order, progression, and civilization depend on just laws that are enforced by a higher authority. Obeying laws demands blessings; breaking laws demands consequences. Any higher authority would fall from his position and chaos would result if that authority were to show favoritism or if he were to interrupt the blessings or consequences of laws.

God’s laws are not man’s laws. Because God is a perfect and eternal being, his words and laws are also perfect and eternal. Therefore, his obeyed laws demand eternal blessings, and his disobeyed laws demand eternal consequences. The Law of Justice has two immutable realities:

1. Physical death—we will all die. Our spirits will separate from our bodies.



2. Spiritual death—we will all sin. We distance ourselves from God every time we disobey one of his laws.

Without divine intervention, these two deaths would be of eternal duration, otherwise, according to law, “God would cease to be God.” 55

The Plan of Mercy

Mercy means “compassionate treatment, especially of those under one's power; clemency. Mercy means to be kind and forgiving.” 56 Although Heavenly Father must create laws and enforce their blessings and consequences, he wants to show mercy or clemency. Being compassionate, kind, forgiving and merciful are his desires.

But mercy must not rob justice. 57 Therefore, to implement the Plan of Salvation, a Savior was needed—a sinless mediator who could stand between us and God. Having satisfied the demands of justice by carrying the full weight of our sins, the Savior could sanctify us and raise us up perfect and immortal so that we could live with God forever.

That being the purpose of the atonement, the Savior, Jesus Christ, volunteered to atone “for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God [Heavenly Father] might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.” 58 Through the Savior’s atonement justice and mercy come into complete balance.

Balancing Justice and Mercy

Accepting Jesus as the Savior and obeying the laws and ordinances of the gospel bring about

“mercy which overpowereth justice…thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice and encircles them [us] in arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice….” 59

Every law of God has a blessing and a punishment. The first laws and ordinances of the gospel are:

• first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
• second, repentance
• third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins
• fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 60

The blessing for obeying these first laws and ordinances of the gospel are complete remission of sins--“…though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” 61--and, as explained above, safety from the demands of justice.

On the other hand, the consequence for not obeying these first laws and ordinances of the gospel are suffering the full price of our sins without the help of the Savior:

“Therefore I command you to repent…lest…your sufferings be sore--how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God [Jesus Christ], have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God [Jesus Christ], the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit--and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink--Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.” 62

Only Jesus has the power to balance the demands of justice with mercy. Thus, neither justice nor mercy is robbed, and we, the beneficiaries of his love, are set free.

The Savior is our only hope

“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.” 63

Only the Savior qualified to save us from death, sin, discouragement, despair, and every affliction and disease that man can suffer. The Savior offered to endure all our pains and sorrows whether or not they were the result of our bad choices or imposed upon us.

Elder Gerald N. Lund said,

“[The Savior] “stood before the justice of God and paid as though he were guilty of every sin and every transgression ever committed. We cannot begin to quantify or comprehend the vastness of the requirements of that suffering.” 64

As the words to a favorite hymn state: “There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin. He only (only He) could unlock the gate of heaven and let us in.” 65 In a real way, the Savior overpaid the debt of our transgressions so the demands of justice could never lay claim to us. The Savior took our place and paid our price. The Savior was the only one who qualified to do it. The Savior was and is our only hope.

Safety, peace and healing through the Savior

The scriptures often describe our relationship with the Savior in terms of family or in comparison to marriage. This comparison suggests that our relationship to him is one of profound tenderness, caring, loyalty, devotion, attention and love. When we are baptized, we become part of the Savior’s family. He “encircles [us] in arms of safety.” 66 When everything in our lives can seem to be falling apart, we can go to the Savior and find safety and peace.

The Savior said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you…Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” 67

The Savior paid the ultimate price for our peace and safety. He said,

“…fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail…Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.” 68

The Savior’s giving us safety and peace is an outgrowth of his compassion. During his mortal ministry, he was often moved with compassion and invited the people to bring him their sick and afflicted and he would heal them. The Savior invited them [and us] to “return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you.” 69

No matter how serious or long-term the affliction, he can heal anyone of anything. He made this invitation:

“Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.” 70

The Savior turned no one away; the Savior will not turn us away. The Savior was and is the great Healer. The Savior heals our sicknesses and afflictions; the Savior heals our broken hearts; the Savior heals our wounded spirits.

The Savior ministers to all the children of God

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 fullness of times." (Ephesians 1:10) 71

The Book of Mormon states “...JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations.” 72 What a wonderful revelation! The Savior is savior of all the world and has manifested himself and ministered and does manifest himself and minister to his children everywhere. No wonder we should have evidence of the Savior’s appearing and ministering in the Bible and other sacred scriptural records.

The Bible contains multiple testimonies of Jesus’ actual resurrection and his continued ministry. After his resurrection, the Savior appeared to his disciples in Jerusalem on many occasions.

• The Savior appeared to Mary Magdalene, near the sepulcher; 73
• The Savior appeared to other women, somewhere between the sepulcher and Jerusalem; 74
• The Savior appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus; 75
• The Savior appeared to Peter, in or near Jerusalem; 76
• The Savior appeared to ten of the apostles and others at Jerusalem; 77
• The Savior appeared to the eleven apostles at Jerusalem; 78
• The Savior appeared to theeleven apostles at the Sea of Tiberias, Galilee; 79
• The Savior appeared to the eleven apostles on a mountain in Galilee; 80
• The Savior appeared to five hundred brethren at once; 81
• The Savior appeared to James then the apostles; 82
• The Savior appeared to the eleven apostles at the time of the ascension, Mount of Olives, near Bethany. 83

Before the Savior was crucified, he prophesied that he would visit his “other sheep” in these words:

“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, [and] one shepherd.” 84

After his resurrection, the Savior appeared to the Book of Mormon people in the Americas. He taught them his gospel and established his Church in the same way he done in the land of Jerusalem. Identifying these Book of Mormon people as his “other sheep,” he said,

“And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” 85

But he still had more sheep in other parts of the world. The Savior told the Book of Mormon people,

“AND verily, verily, I say unto you that I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any parts of that land round about whither I have been to minister.” 86

Clearly, the Savior appeared and ministered to multiple groups of righteous people who had waited and prayed for him.

About eighteen hundred years later, Heavenly Father and the Savior appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith to usher in the “dispensation of the fullness of times.” 87 Once again the heavens were opened; the Savior and his Father had appeared once more. The purpose of the Father and the Son's appearing to the Prophet Joseph Smith was to restore the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that had been lost centuries earlier. The Restoration would include restoring the priesthood, the true Church of Jesus Christ, and the saving ordinances and teachings of the gospel for all the children of God.

The Savior restored his church

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 corner stone.” 88

The original Church of Jesus Christ was lost due to apostasy. Apostasy is to abandon God, his word and his servants, the prophets. Apostasy is to disregard, disobey or distort any gospel principle or ordinance. After the Savior’s death and resurrection, the people rejected his apostles and killed them. Because the apostles were the custodians of priesthood authority and because priesthood authority is necessary for preaching the gospel and administering the ordinances of the gospel, the apostles’ deaths resulted in severing of gospel truths and power from earth.

In this state of apostasy, people were left to wander aimlessly. They developed abominable creeds, corrupted true doctrine, drew near to God with their lips while their hearts were far from him, taught commandments of men, and had a form of godliness, but denied the power thereof. 89 Leaders perverted the truth about the nature of God, which left the people with the concept of an impersonal, indefinable God, who was without body, parts or passions, who was quick to dispense justice and offered little mercy and then only selectively and for a price. Clearly, the world had fallen into the Dark Ages.

But Heavenly Father is patient, loving and merciful. Just as parents will persistently attempt to call back their wayward children, so God mercifully calls his children. How does he do this? By calling a new prophet to begin a new gospel dispensation. Suddenly, with a prophet of God on the earth, the heavens are opened, and divine revelation and power are poured out upon a thirsty world.

To end the long night of the Great Apostasy and the resulting Dark Ages, Heavenly Father showed his love for us by calling a new prophet to open a new gospel dispensation to dispense gospel truths and powers. That prophet was Joseph Smith, and that gospel dispensation is The Dispensation of the Fullness of Times—the gospel dispensation in which we now live.

The gospel Dispensation of the Fullness of Times was anticipated and prophesied by prophets throughout history. The Dispensation of the Fullness of Times is considered the greatest of all gospel dispensations because its purpose is to prepare the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. To fulfill the prophecies concerning the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times, ancient prophets—now angels of God—restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith their priesthood keys, knowledge, truths, principles and powers of their former ministries and gospel dispensations.

Now the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ is upon the earth along with the kingdom of God, called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Today we have a living prophet who guides and directs the Church of Jesus Christ and provides us with continuing revelation from God.

The Savior will return to Earth

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. 90

After the Savior’s death and resurrection, he ascended into heaven. As the apostles watched, two angels appeared unto them, saying,

“This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” 91

Contrasting the Savior’s first coming, which was marked by his humble birth in a stable, the Savior’s second coming will be one of power and great glory, viewable, in a manner that only a God could achieve--by all the people of the earth. The Savior’s second coming was prophesied to be preceded by:

• The universal apostasy from Christ’s original church. 92



• The latter-day restoration of the gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ. 93



• The latter-day restoration of priesthood keys. 94



• The coming forth of the Book of Mormon. 95



• The preaching of the gospel throughout the world. 96



• Unprecedented wickedness and war and turmoil. 97



• Unmistakable warning signs. 98

The Savior’s second coming will also be preceded by calamities that will destroy many of the wicked. The scriptures list some of these calamities as:

“...plagues, pestilence, famine, and disease such as the world has never before seen; scourges, tribulation, calamities, and disasters without parallel; strife, wars, rumors of wars, blood, carnage, and desolation which overshadow anything of past ages; the elements being in commotion with resultant floods, storms, fires, whirlwinds, earthquakes - all of a proportion and intensity unknown to men of former days; evil, iniquity, wickedness, turmoil, rapine, murder, crime, and commotion among men almost beyond comprehension.” 99

The resulting casualties from “the wars and desolations of our day will make the hostilities of the past seem like feeble skirmishes among childish combatants.” 100

As the calamities escalate, the remaining military powers in all the earth, representing good and evil, will gather at Jerusalem in the valley of Armageddon. A final battle of extermination will ensue, the “greatest war, slaughter, carnage, bloodshed and desolation of all the ages.” 101 When all will appear to be lost, the Savior will appear and save his people. Then the earth will experience a global burning by which the rest of the wicked and all that is filthy and corruptible will be consumed and melt with fervent heat. 102 As purified gold emerges from the refiner’s fire, so the earth will emerge refined, sanctified and polished to be raised to its original paradisiacal glory. 103

The righteous saints will be resurrected and caught up to meet the Savior, 104 who will thereafter descend and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords for 1,000 years--his Millennial reign. 105

At the end of the Millennium, the final resurrection will occur in which all the wicked will be resurrected. 106 Then the Savior will stand as the great judge to whom every son and daughter of God, from Adam to the last child born on earth, must appear and give an accounting of their lives. 107 Then, reverently or reluctantly, “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ.” 108

Questions about 'Our Savior - What the Savior did for Us'

• Jesus is our only hope. How did he redeem us from the Fall of Adam?



• Central to the Savior's mission is his revealing Whom to the world?



• What 'good works' did the Savior perform?



• What is the Savior's 'grace' and how does it work in your life?



• Why did the Savior perform miracles, and what were his greatest miracles?



• What important sermon is an essential statement on the Savior’s higher law that he came to reveal?



• What is charity? What are its attributes? If charity were a triangle, what attributes would be its three sides?



• What are some ways to emulate the Savior?



• The Savior set the example of being baptized because baptism is the only entrance into which kingdom?



• What are the three covenants of baptism?



• What do the emblems of the sacrament represent, and what is the sacramental promise?



• What special group of men hold the keys to the higher priesthood and form the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ?



• How can we be forgiven and reconciled to God through the atonement of Jesus Christ?



• While preserving our freedom to choose, how does the Savior save us?



• How does the Savior implement Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation and balance the conditions of justice and mercy?



• Is there any condition that the Savior cannot overcome and heal?



• Are there evidences of the Savior's resurrection among his own people and other people throughout the world?



• How did the Great Apostasy end and the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ begin?



• What important truths and powers were restored?



• Will the Savior come again? What are some signs that will preceed his coming?

References for 'Our Savior - What the Savior did for Us'

1. Revelation 13:8
2. 2 Nephi 2:11, 16, 28-29 – For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility...Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other...And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit; nd not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom.
3. 2 Peter 1:4 – Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
4. Mosiah 3:19
5. 2 Corinthians 5:7
6. 1 Corinthians 13:12
7. Abraham 3:25-26
8. John 14:6; D&C 132:12; Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p.68, 498 – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). "I am the Lord thy God; and I give unto you this commandment—that no man shall come unto the Father but by me or by my word, which is my law, saith the Lord" (D&C 132:12). (see Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p.68, 498).
9. Matthew 11:27
10. "The Living Christ"
11. LDS Bible Dictionary, "Grace," p. 697
12. True to the Faith, p. 77, 2 Nephi 25:23 – (See True to the Faith, p.77) "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do" (2 Nephi 25:23).
13. Articles of Faith 4; 3 Nephi 27:19-22 – We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Articles of Faith 4). "And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end. Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day. Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do; Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day" (3 Nephi 27:19-22).
14. Moroni 10:32
15. LDS Bible Dictionary, "Grace," p. 697
16. Mormon Doctrine, p. 506
17. John 3:2
18. Mosiah 5:2, Alma 5:13 – And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2). "And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved" (Alma 5:13).
19. 3 Nephi 15:4
20. Matthew 5-7; 3 Nephi 12-14
21. 3 Nephi 9:20 – And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.
22. John 13:34
23. D&C 59:6
24. Matthew 22:40
25. John 14:23-24; 2 John 6 – Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me" (John 14:23-24). (See 2 John 6)
26. Moroni 7:47
27. Moroni 7:45; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
28. "The Living Christ"
29. "The Living Christ"
30. President Joseph Fielding Smith, Conference Report, October 1970, Afternoon Meeting, p.154; D&C 59:23 – (see President Joseph Fielding Smith, Conference Report, October 1970, Afternoon Meeting, p.154); "But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come" (D&C 59:23).
31. 3 Nephi 27:27
32. Bishop Robert L. Simpson, Conference Report, April 1966, p.55
33. Jeffery R. Holland, Ensign, May 2006, 69
34. "The Living Christ"
35. Matthew 3:15
36. John 3:5
37. D&C 20:77 – O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
38. Mosiah 8:8-10
39. "The Living Christ"
40. True to the Faith, p. 149
41. Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., p.660
42. True to the Faith, p. 147
43. D&C 20:77
44. Ephesians 2:19-20 – Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];
45. John 15:16
46. "The Living Christ"
47. American Heritage Dictionary, "Atonement"
48. True to the Faith, p 14
49. D&C 76:69
50. Bruce R. McConkie, Conference Report, October 1970, p.126
51. 2 Nephi 2:27 – Therefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
52. 2 Nephi 2:9
53. D&C 130:20 – There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
54. Articles of Faith 3
55. Alma 42:13
56. American Heritage Dictionary, "Mercy"
57. Alma 42:13-15 – Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God. And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence. And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.
58. Alma 42:15
59. Alma 34:14-16 – And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal. And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance. And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.
60. Articles of Faith 4
61. Isaiah 1:18
62. D&C 19:15-19
63. "The Living Christ"
64. Gerald N. Lund, "Selected Writings of Gerald N. Lund: Gospel Scholars Series," p.164
65. Hymns, #194
66. Alma 34:16
67. John 14:27
68. D&C 6:34-37
69. 3 Nephi 9:13
70. 3 Nephi 17:7
71. "The Living Christ"
72. Book of Mormon title page
73. Mark 16:9-10; John 20:14 – Now when [Jesus] was risen early the first [day] of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. [And] she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept" (Mark 16:9-10). "And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus" (John 20:14).
74. Matthew 28:9 – And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
75. Mark 16:12; Luke 24:13 – After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country" (Mark 16:12) "And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem [about] threescore furlongs" (Luke 24:13).
76. Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5 – Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon [Peter]" (Luke 24:34) "And that he was seen of Cephas [Peter], then of the twelve:" (1 Corinthians 15:5).
77. Luke 24:36; John 20:19 – And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you" (Luke 24:36). " Then the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you" (John 20:19).
78. Mark 16:14; John 20:26 – Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen" (Mark 16:14). "And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: [then] came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you" (John 20:26).
79. John 21:1 – AFTER these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he [himself].
80. Matthew 28:16 – Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
81. 1 Corinthians 15:6 – After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
82. 1 Corinthians 15:7 – After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
83. Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-51 – So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God" (Mark 16:19). "nd he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven" (Luke 24:50-51).
84. John 10:16
85. 3 Nephi 15:21
86. 3 Nephi 16:1
87. Ephesians 1:10 – That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him:
88. Ephesians 2:20; "The Living Christ")
89. Joseph Smith History 1:19 – 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.
90. "The Living Christ"
91. Acts 1:11
92. Matthew 24:9-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 – Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:9-12). "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3).
93. Acts 3:19-21; Revelation 14:6-7; D&C 45:28; D&C 133:36 – Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;nd he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began" (Acts 3:19-21). "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters" (Revelation 14:6-7). "And when the times of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fulness of my gospel" (D&C 45:28). "And now, verily saith the Lord, that these things might be known among you, O inhabitants of the earth, I have sent forth mine angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel, who hath appeared unto some and hath committed it unto man, who shall appear unto many that dwell on the earth" (D&C 133:36).
94. Malachi 4:5-6; D&C 110:11-16 – Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse" (Malachi 4:5-6). "After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north. After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed. fter this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said: ehold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—herefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors" (D&C 110:11-16).
95. Isaiah 29:4, 10-14,18; 3 Nephi 21:1-11 – And thou shalt be brought down, [and] shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust...For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which [men] deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it [is] sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, [even] a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise [men] shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent [men] shall be hid...And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness" (Isaiah 29:4, 10-14,18). "And verily I say unto you, I give unto you a sign, that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place—that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion; And behold, this is the thing which I will give unto you for a sign—for verily I say unto you that when these things which I declare unto you, and which I shall declare unto you hereafter of myself, and by the power of the Holy Ghost which shall be given unto you of the Father, shall be made known unto the Gentiles that they may know concerning this people who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, and concerning this my people who shall be scattered by them; Verily, verily, I say unto you, when these things shall be made known unto them of the Father, and shall come forth of the Father, from them unto you; For it is wisdom in the Father that they should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth from them unto a remnant of your seed, that the covenant of the Father may be fulfilled which he hath covenanted with his people, O house of Israel; herefore, when these works and the works which shall be wrought among you hereafter shall come forth from the Gentiles, unto your seed which shall dwindle in unbelief because of iniquity; For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles, for this cause that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel; And when these things come to pass that thy seed shall begin to know these things—it shall be a sign unto them, that they may know that the work of the Father hath already commenced unto the fulfilling of the covenant which he hath made unto the people who are of the house of Israel. And when that day shall come, it shall come to pass that kings shall shut their mouths; for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them. ut behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil. herefore it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ, which the Father shall cause him to bring forth unto the Gentiles, and shall give unto him power that he shall bring them forth unto the Gentiles, (it shall be done even as Moses said) they shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant" (3 Nephi 21:1-11).
96. Matthew 24:14; D&C 133:36-40 – And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matthew 24:14). "And now, verily saith the Lord, that these things might be known among you, O inhabitants of the earth, I have sent forth mine angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel, who hath appeared unto some and hath committed it unto man, who shall appear unto many that dwell on the earth. And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. And the servants of God shall go forth, saying with a loud voice: Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come; And worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters—Calling upon the name of the Lord day and night, saying: O that thou wouldst rend the heavens, that thou wouldst come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence" (D&C 133:36-40).
97. Matthew 24:6-7; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; D&C 29:17; D&C 45:26-33; D&C 88:91 – And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places" (Matthew 24:6-7). "THIS know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. or men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:1-7). "And it shall come to pass, because of the wickedness of the world, that I will take vengeance upon the wicked, for they will not repent; for the cup of mine indignation is full; for behold, my blood shall not cleanse them if they hear me not" (D&C 29:17). "And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men's hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth. And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound. And when the times of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fulness of my gospel; But they receive it not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men. And in that generation shall the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be men standing in that generation, that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land. But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices and curse God and die. And there shall be earthquakes also in divers places, and many desolations; yet men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword, one against another, and they will kill one another" (D&C 45:26-33). "And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men's hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people" (D&C 88:91).
98. Joel 2:30-31; Matthew 24:29-30; D&C 29:14-16; D&C 45:39-42; D&C 49:23; D&C 88:87-90 – And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come" (Joel 2:30-31). "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:29-30). "But, behold, I say unto you that before this great day shall come the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall be turned into blood, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and there shall be greater signs in heaven above and in the earth beneath; And there shall be weeping and wailing among the hosts of men; And there shall be a great hailstorm sent forth to destroy the crops of the earth" (D&C 29:14-16). "And it shall come to pass that he that feareth me shall be looking forth for the great day of the Lord to come, even for the signs of the coming of the Son of Man. And they shall see signs and wonders, for they shall be shown forth in the heavens above, and in the earth beneath. And they shall behold blood, and fire, and vapors of smoke. And before the day of the Lord shall come, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood, and the stars fall from heaven" (D&C 45:39-42). "Wherefore, be not deceived, but continue in steadfastness, looking forth for the heavens to be shaken, and the earth to tremble and to reel to and fro as a drunken man, and for the valleys to be exalted, and for the mountains to be made low, and for the rough places to become smooth—and all this when the angel shall sound his trumpet" (D&C 49:23). "For not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a drunken man; and the sun shall hide his face, and shall refuse to give light; and the moon shall be bathed in blood; and the stars shall become exceedingly angry, and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falleth from off a fig-tree. And after your testimony cometh wrath and indignation upon the people. For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand. And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds" (D&C 88:87-90).
99. Mormon Doctrine, p. 691
100. Mortal Messiah, p. 3:440-41
101. Mormon Doctrine, p. 695; Revelation 16:14-21; NOTE: Also the final days of the Book of Mormon Nephites and Jaredites are models. – (See Mormon Doctrine, p. 695; "For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, [and] so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, [every stone] about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great" (Revelation 16:14-21). NOTE: Also the final days of the Book of Mormon Nephites and Jaredites are models.
102. D&C 133:41-51; Malachi 3:2-4; D&C 64:23-25; D&C 101:23-31 – And it shall be answered upon their heads; for the presence of the Lord shall be as the melting fire that burneth, and as the fire which causeth the waters to boil. O Lord, thou shalt come down to make thy name known to thine adversaries, and all nations shall tremble at thy presence—When thou doest terrible things, things they look not for; Yea, when thou comest down, and the mountains flow down at thy presence, thou shalt meet him who rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, who remembereth thee in thy ways. For since the beginning of the world have not men heard nor perceived by the ear, neither hath any eye seen, O God, besides thee, how great things thou hast prepared for him that waiteth for thee. And it shall be said: Who is this that cometh down from God in heaven with dyed garments; yea, from the regions which are not known, clothed in his glorious apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? And he shall say: I am he who spake in righteousness, mighty to save. And the Lord shall be red in his apparel, and his garments like him that treadeth in the wine-vat. And so great shall be the glory of his presence that the sun shall hide his face in shame, and the moon shall withhold its light, and the stars shall be hurled from their places. nd his voice shall be heard: I have trodden the wine-press alone, and have brought judgment upon all people; and none were with me; And I have trampled them in my fury, and I did tread upon them in mine anger, and their blood have I sprinkled upon my garments, and stained all my raiment; for this was the day of vengeance which was in my heart" (D&C 133:41-51). "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years" (Malachi 3:2-4). "Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming. For after today cometh the burning—this is speaking after the manner of the Lord—for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon. Wherefore, if ye believe me, ye will labor while it is called today" (D&C 64:23-25). "And prepare for the revelation which is to come, when the veil of the covering of my temple, in my tabernacle, which hideth the earth, shall be taken off, and all flesh shall see me together. And every corruptible thing, both of man, or of the beasts of the field, or of the fowls of the heavens, or of the fish of the sea, that dwells upon all the face of the earth, shall be consumed; And also that of element shall melt with fervent heat; and all things shall become new, that my knowledge and glory may dwell upon all the earth. And in that day the enmity of man, and the enmity of beasts, yea, the enmity of all flesh, shall cease from before my face. And in that day whatsoever any man shall ask, it shall be given unto him. And in that day Satan shall not have power to tempt any man. And there shall be no sorrow because there is no death. In that day an infant shall not die until he is old; and his life shall be as the age of a tree; And when he dies he shall not sleep, that is to say in the earth, but shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and shall be caught up, and his rest shall be glorious" (D&C 101:23-31).
103. Articles of Faith: 10 – We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
104. D&C 88:96-98 – And the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened and be caught up to meet him. And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for their graves shall be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven—They are Christ's, the first fruits, they who shall descend with him first, and they who are on the earth and in their graves, who are first caught up to meet him; and all this by the voice of the sounding of the trump of the angel of God.
105. Revelation 19:16 – And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, And LORD OF LORDS.
106. D&C 88:100-101 – And again, another trump shall sound, which is the third trump; and then come the spirits of men who are to be judged, and are found under condemnation; And these are the rest of the dead; and they live not again until the thousand years are ended, neither again, until the end of the earth.
107. Revelation 20:11-15; 2 Nephi 9:15-16 – And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. nd whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (revelation 20:11-15). "And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God. And assuredly, as the Lord liveth, for the Lord God hath spoken it, and it is his eternal word, which cannot pass away, that they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still; wherefore, they who are filthy are the devil and his angels; and they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end" (2 Nephi 9:15-16).
108. D&C 88:104