We’ve been doing a series of articles on what the Book of Mormon says about Jesus Christ. Even I have been surprised by just how many important mentions there are. I’d never really taken a census of the mentions before, even though I’ve read it many times. I’ve skipped a huge number and combined others, and I’m still pretty early in the book.

What kinds of answers will God give me?

Today’s exploration continues the sermon of one of my favorite Book of Mormon people, King Benjamin. This is his farewell address, given when he announced his retirement. In chapter 5, verses 12 and 13, he tells his people:

I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you. For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart? (Mosiah 5:12-13 in the Book of Mormon).

These verses refer to the Lord. Mormons teach that we are all able to access the Lord’s voice through the Holy Spirit. This does not technically mean hearing a voice, although people do from time to time. It refers to the ability to receive guidance directly from God for our personal lives. In the Bible, we see that God sent official doctrine only to the prophet, but everyone is permitted to ask God for help in areas that are their own responsibility. For instance, as a teacher of preschoolers at church, I can learn how to improve their reverence, teach a difficult lesson, or organize our class schedule. I can’t, however, receive revelation about how the entire children’s program works, because I’m not in charge of that.

Russell M. Ballard, a Mormon apostle, said:

When my ministry is all over, it will not be any talk that I gave that will be very important in the sight of the Lord; but what will be important to him will be my hearing his voice and responding to his promptings” (“Respond to the Prompting of the Spirit” [an evening with Elder M. Russell Ballard, Jan. 8, 1988], 4, www.ldsces.org).

How do I know it’s really God answering my prayer?

With so many voices, ideas, and thoughts crowding our minds, how do we know if it’s really the Lord speaking to us? Every now and then someone will tell people not to follow the advice of the Mormons, which is to pray to know if something is true. They will explain that there is no way to know who is answering the prayer.

Mormons find that to be a bit unusual if it comes from Christians. After all, the Bible repeatedly tells us to pray and promises that God will answer. (See James 1:5 in the New Testament.) Mormons completely trust God. He says He will answer and so we can presume He will also teach us to recognize His answers as coming from Him.

Verse thirteen really gives us the answer to the question. It says that to recognize the voice of the Lord we need to serve Him and to keep our hearts and our thoughts close to Him. James, in the Bible, said we have to ask in faith with nothing wavering. These verses warn us that just asking isn’t enough. We have to actually do something to get our answers. We have to develop faith, serve God, and keep Him in our hearts.

The more time we spend talking to God and waiting quietly for answers, the easier it becomes to know who is speaking to us. How will the answers come?

Most often they come as feelings or impressions. We study the issue, make a decision, and then ask God if we chose correctly. If we feel a warm, comforting feeling of correctness, we know we have chosen correctly. This may take repeated prayers and patience to demonstrate we are serious about wanting the answer or to allow us additional time to study and prepare.

Sometimes a direct thought comes into my mind. I was trying to choose a writing topic one day. I wanted something very challenging that would help me grow as a writer and as a Christian, and a thought came into my mind. It was a completely unexpected thought and nothing I would have thought of on my own, but because I’ve received these types of thoughts often, I recognized it as being different from when I’m just intellectually making writing decisions and so I acted on it. These are called impressions, and they can be about spiritual truths or practical matters.

Rarely does an actual voice comes to us. This occurred to me when I was in immediate danger from a semi-vehicle about to swing out of control into my car unless I pulled off the road. There wasn’t time for me to think, “Was that an impression or a random thought?” Interestingly, my husband was driving somewhere nearby and had a sudden impression to turn down the street we were on. He saw me parked on the side of the road, shaken by what could have happened, and was able to help me calm down enough to continue the drive.

To read more articles by Terrie Bittner, please click here.

As we receive answers or possible answers, we can record them, and how they came to us in a prayer journal. Then we can watch to see the final results. In time, we will learn how to tell which feelings and thoughts are of God and which are our own.

Like anything else worth doing, prayer is worth the time it takes to get it right.

Read Mosiah 5 in the Book of Mormon free online.

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

Walk the path that thou hast shown

I had always wondered what it would have been like to have walked side by side as a disciple of the Lord. When he stretched out his arms to the men in the boats and said, “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men,” I thought how brave those men had to have been. They gave up their familiar way of life to witness miracles beyond anything they could imagine. But it came with a price. They witnessed the crucifixion of their Lord and Savior as well.

Finding strength beyond my own

Undoubtedly during the final week of Christ’s mortal life, many people witnessed his divinity. It must have been a week of heightened spirituality for all of those who loved him. Miracles took place in the streets. Throngs of people flocked to meet Christ and to be healed by him. Thousands gathered to hear his sermons and learn of a better way. On the night before his crucifixion, the sacrament was first given as a remembrance of the Savior’s pending sacrifice. This was probably the time he was most loved and most followed during his mortality. I’m sure those closest to him were strengthened beyond compare.

Who am I to judge another?

Others hated and feared him, even sought to destroy him. The lawmen of the time feared he would seek political power and overthrow them. Others feared he would never be able to handle the growing throngs of people who sought him out for healings and blessings. Those who doubted his divinity could not comprehend his spiritual power, his role as Heavenly Father’s only begotten son. Christ’s power was beyond their understanding. Rather than being drawn to it, they were repulsed by it. Their fear and hatred led to Christ’s crucifixion.

I would be my brother’s keeper

Still others were probably so involved in their own lives; the miracles of the Savior passed them by. They may not have understood. They may not have seen. They may not have even cared. If they had a friend bring them to one of Christ’s sermons, their eyes may have been opened. For whatever reason, the coming and going of the Savior did not affect them.

Lord I would follow thee

In retrospect it is easy to claim I’d be a disciple of Christ had I lived back then. I have the scriptures and my own personal testimony of his divine role. But had I lived during the time of Christ’s ministry would I have had the faith to be a follower? Would I have feared him? Or might I have been indifferent? Some people were witnesses and did not follow Him. I wonder what made them choose to turn away while others believed.  My answer is pure and simple: a testimony of the Savior comes after the trial of your faith.

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ makes us a disciple

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said,

“When we hear the transcendent truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, hope and faith begin to blossom inside of us. The more we fill our hearts and minds with the message of the risen Christ, the greater our desire is to follow Him and live His teachings. This, in turn, causes our faith to grow and allows the light of Christ to illuminate our hearts. As it does, we recognize the imperfections in our lives, and we desire to be cleansed of the depressing burdens of sin. We yearn for freedom from guilt, and this inspires us to repent.” (The Way of the Disciple, Ensign Nov 2009)

The apostles who followed the Savior had to leave their fishing nets, their homes, their families, indeed, their way of life in order to follow Him. They stepped into the unknown without as much as a testimony. They had faith in the man who claimed to be the Son of God. Each day with Him proved to be an experience with rich blessings beyond measure. Their hearts were filled by the miracles they witnessed. Even after his mortal life ended, they did not give up their faith. It took root spiritually inside their hearts. As they continued to follow his teachings, the seed of faith grew. Not only did they nurture it, they were able to pass the good fruits of this seed down throughout the generations.

Savior may I learn to love thee

Today, throngs of people still celebrate this week as a sacred week—truly a “Holy Week.” It stirs up in them a remembrance of spiritual truths deeply rooted since their upbringing. Some of these people are devote Christians all year long. Others are awakened by the festivities for the week, celebrate with the masses, then go back to their ways, forgetting about the Savior as they do for the remainder of the year. But for me “Holy Week” has taken a new meaning.

When I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was at first surprised that there were no special services set up during “Holy Week”. But it soon became clear to me why. Each Sunday, I would look around and see the number of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) in attendance for our worship service. The chapel was full. People were warm and friendly in a humble way, giving me the feeling that Sunday itself was a more sacred, more reverent day than the other days of the week. I felt the distinct presence of the Holy Spirit in attendance with us as we partook of the sacrament, renewing our covenants. Then, the sermons, given by members of the congregation, were always Christ-centered and uplifting.  I soon received a calling where I was asked to serve others in spiritual activities, teaching my fellow sisters, and helping the poor in spirit. By the time “Holy Week” came around on the Christian calendar, I had an answer as to why we didn’t hold additional services. Holy Week happens every Sunday for the Latter-day Saint—even every day when a Latter-day Saint is serving her fellow man.

“Ours is not a secondhand religion. We cannot receive the blessings of the gospel merely by observing the good that others do. We need to get off the sidelines and practice what we preach.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, The Way of the Disciple, Ensign Nov 2009)

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said:

“Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us—even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will. “We [might] see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. …“The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of transformation. It takes us as men and women of the earth and refines us into men and women for the eternities.” (The Great Commandment Ensign, Nov. 2007)

President Uchtdorf also said:

“Let us remember on this Palm Sunday, during this Easter season, and always that the restored gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has the power to fill any emptiness, heal any wound, and bridge any vale of sorrow. It is the way of hope, faith, and trust in the Lord. The gospel of Jesus Christ is taught in its fullness in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This Church is led by a living prophet, authorized by the Lord Jesus Christ to provide direction and guidance to help us face the challenges of our day, as serious as they may be. .” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, The Way of the Disciple, Ensign Nov 2009)

Lord I would follow Thee

I admire the original twelve apostles—their choices, their faith, their endurance. Theirs was not a second-hand faith. So during this “Holy Week” I reconnect. Not only with my Savior—I reconnect with my covenants. I promise to make my actions reflect my religious conviction as if I stood beside the Savior as the first apostles did then, and as our modern-day apostles do now.

Nanette ONeal

Nanette O’Neal loves the gospel and is very happy to share her testimony on LDS Blogs. She is a convert to the church and still feels the spirit burn strong within her heart. She graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts with a degree in music education and has taught children and adults in the private and public sphere for over twenty years. Nanette continues to study the gospel and the art of writing. She writes weekly inspirational articles on her blog and is currently working on an LDS fantasy novel series, A Doorway Back to Forever. You can find her at NanetteONeal.blogspot.com. Nanette has a wonderful husband, talented son, and three beautiful dogs.

But a week ago I saw a sign of hope—robins, harbingers of spring. Four plump red-breasted birds sat on our garage roof. It happened on one of the milder days sandwiched between two storms that had each dropped ten inches of snow. Even though Mother Nature was not about to give up on winter, the robins had other plans. They came.  And with their arrival came other signs of renewal—a steady rise in temperature, melting snow, and sunshine that made it warm enough outside to wear my baseball jacket for my daily dog walks.

Spring has indeed come—was there really any doubt? It comes every year. We’ve all witnessed it. Never in the history of modern civilization, below the Arctic Circle, has a steady twelve-month cycle of bitter cold been responsible for wiping out spring, summer, and autumn altogether. But when we are living through a cruel winter, one that seems void of any warmth and sunshine, there is a sense of hopelessness that makes us wonder if spring will ever come. And yet it does, without fail. At the first sign of revival, we forget the harshness we lived through for those short months. We welcome it with open arms. We forget we ever doubted its return. The seasons are our teachers. They teach us patience and faith. They show us that hope is part of the pattern of God’s plan for us.

The seasons reflect God’s perfect plan.

We know our Savior helped to create the world. We learn this in the Holy Bible when we read in John how God and Jesus were together in the beginning and how “all things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” (The Holy Bible, John 1:1-3). This includes the seasons of winter, spring, summer, and autumn. We cycle through them year after year. They give the earth new life. And as long as we act as good stewards over the earth, keeping nature in balance and harmony, we learn to maintain our earthly home. Can we learn from the pattern of the seasons how to maintain our spiritual homes as well?

Doubt not, fear not.

There are times when we live through spiritual winters that seem to never end. This can look like poverty to some, while others may be plagued with health challenges. The disappointment of withheld blessings, the agonizing sufferings of abuse, the snares of addiction and the consequences that follow—all appear as spiritual winters to those who are in the midst of these trials. So why would a loving God pattern nature to have a healthy revival, only to leave us to suffer in the loneliness and cold? A loving father would not turn his back on his children. Likewise, our Father in Heaven as not turned his back on us.

We can talk to God.

“If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not. And it shall be given him.” (The Holy Bible, James 1:5). I used to believe that only the higher-ups in theology had access to God. This is what many people are taught. But when I began to see God as my Heavenly Father, I began to feel differently about our relationship. He is our Eternal Father—the Father of our spirits. We lived with Him before we were born. We had a relationship with Him then. And we can maintain that relationship now. The way to do that is through prayer—personal prayer directly to Him. He listens because he is the kindest, most loving father there is. And he blesses us with comfort and peace through the still small voice of the Holy Spirit.

Before I knew I was a child of God, I felt alone. Now that I know my Father in Heaven loves me, listens to me, and answers me, I am awakened to the knowledge that I matter to someone great—someone who cares, someone who has the power to heal me. If I pray with a sincere heart, with real intent, and if I listen for that still small voice of peace, I feel connected to something far greater than what I see around me. And if my trial is particularly difficult, I know my Heavenly Father has faith in me to overcome it. Through prayer, I take comfort in renewing my relationship with a father who knows me more than I know myself.

Our Savior Jesus Christ has been through your trials.

Part of the reason why I love my Savior so much is because I know He felt everything I have felt and will feel in life. We know His Atonement (his suffering in Gethsemane, crucifixion and resurrection) cleansed us from sin and death, but it did more. “And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.” (The Book of Mormon, Alma 7:11). This means when I feel like I am alone, when I feel that no one could possibly understand, that nobody has been through what I’m going through, I can stop and remember the truth—someone has. And that someone is Jesus Christ. And even though Jesus has been there, He’s willing to walk through the trial again, with me. He won’t let me do it alone. There is an unmistakable comfort that comes when I remember I am not alone. As if a weight is lifted from my shoulders. Or, more appropriately, as if a sign of spring has perched itself outside my window.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is God’s Promise of Spring

Morning Devotional
To read more of Nanette’s devotionals, click the picture.

“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.” (The Holy Bible, John 3:16). There is a reason this scripture is most often quoted in all of Christianity. It is profoundly true and it is overflowing with love. And just as spring comes every year without fail, Christ our Savior will heal us from our spiritual pains and afflictions through the Atonement. When we remember this, we cannot fail, because He cannot fail. Some trials may last longer than others, just as some winters may be more heartless and cold. But spring always comes. And the Savior always saves. He saves everyone. No one can escape spring. No one is left out of our Heavenly Father’s and Jesus Christ’s eternal love. The seasons have taught us the pattern of eternity. Spring is a gift of renewal both of life on earth and life eternal.

Nanette ONeal

Nanette O’Neal loves the gospel and is very happy to share her testimony on LDS Blogs. She is a convert to the church and still feels the spirit burn strong within her heart. She graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts with a degree in music education and has taught children and adults in the private and public sphere for over twenty years. Nanette continues to study the gospel and the art of writing. She writes weekly inspirational articles on her blog and is currently working on an LDS fantasy novel series, A Doorway Back to Forever. You can find her at NanetteONeal.blogspot.com. Nanette has a wonderful husband, talented son, and three beautiful dogs.

The past several articles revealed that some people who lived in ancient America knew of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon teaches that several groups of people came from the Holy Lands to the Americas. They did not come to an empty continent, but they did form their own nations. Most of them were killed in the final battles recorded at the end of the book, around 400 A.D.

We have seen that these people knew that Jesus had been born through signs predicted by their prophets, and they also knew of His death through terrible storms and a deep darkness that came. Then they heard Jesus speak from Heaven, and finally God Himself testifying of His Son.

Today’s final entry covers, very briefly, the appearance of the Savior Himself to these other sheep (mentioned in the Bible). They initially mistook Him for an angel, but He was the resurrected Jesus Christ. When He introduced Himself, the people fell to the ground and worshipped Him. He invited them to approach and to see and to feel the nail prints in his hands and feet to prove He was really the Savior.

Jesus Christ Came to the Americas as Recorded in the Book of Mormon

After they had worshipped Him, He called Nephi, who had been their prophet and spiritual leader, and gave him the power to baptize. He also gave this power to others and taught them how to do it correctly. The method taught—immersion—and the words used are the ones still used by Mormons today.

Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen (3 Nephi 11:25).

In addition to authorizing people to baptize, He also gave them the power to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost. Jesus spent His time with the people helping them to organize His church correctly and with proper authority. Jesus called twelve apostles in the Americas to lead the Church when He left. He taught correct doctrines and increased their understanding of the gospel and delivered the Sermon on the Mount (in similar words as recorded in the Bible) to them. He also taught them the Lord’s Prayer to help them understand the proper way to pray and instituted the Sacrament (Communion).

At the end of the first day, He told them their minds were overwhelmed with all they’d learned. He told them to go home and ponder these things, and He would return to teach them the following day.  However, He saw the tears in their eyes, because they didn’t want Him to leave them,  and so He stayed. He invited them to bring their sick and disabled to Him, and He healed them.

Jesus and Children

This was followed by one of the most touching events in the Book of Mormon. Jesus asked the people to bring the children to Him. He gathered the children around Him and instructed the people to kneel. Then, in the presence of these little children, He began a prayer so powerful that most of it could not be recorded. The people were overcome with joy.

Jesus took each of the children, one at a time, and blessed them. He prayed specifically for each child. After all the children had received their personal blessing and prayer from their Savior, the adults watching saw yet another miracle occur:

And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones. And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them. (3 Nephi 17:23-24)

The Savior’s visit had a powerful impact on the people who had the privilege of seeing Him. All of them converted, and for several generations they lived a life that reflected the miracle many of them had personally experienced. They took care of their poor, they worked to live their lives as the Savior had taught them, and they loved one another.

Eventually, of course, a future generation that had not seen the Savior did what so many today do. Because they hadn’t seen it for themselves and there was no “proof” they decided it had all been made up. Because of the righteousness of the civilization, they had become financially comfortable and this made the generation that reintroduced a faithless life to become proud. Instead of thanking God for their blessings, they believed it was their own brilliance that had made them prosperous.

Why Does it Matter that Jesus Came to the Americas?

Even though the full impact of the Savior’s visit didn’t last forever among the Book of Mormon peoples, those extraordinary few days in history continues to change the lives of people of faith today. Mormons are thrilled with every bit of information we have on the Savior’s life, before, during, and after His mortality and they ask people to pray to know it’s true. God promises to answer all prayers of the faithful and those who want to know the truth.

Think about it. If Jesus really did come back—if He really did bring a message that the gospel was for all the world and not just the few who knew Him in the Holy Lands—wouldn’t you want to know that?

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

Then a voice was heard in the darkness, calling on the people to repent. Imagine how they felt to have a voice coming out of such intense darkness. The people had already realized that if they had repented earlier, the lives of all those that had been lost in the storms might have been saved, and now a heavenly voice confirmed that this was the case. The voice said:

Jesus Christ Speaks to the People of the Book of Mormon

O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they [those who were killed in the destruction], will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.

Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name (3 Nephi 9:13-15).

Jesus explained to the people that since He had completed the Atonement, they would no longer be required to perform animal sacrifices. Animal sacrifices had been symbolic and looking towards Christ’s infinite sacrifice. Once His Atonement was complete, He required sacrifices of broken hearts and contrite spirits. They were to repent of their sins and allow Jesus Christ to heal them. This would lead them towards eternal life.

The people were so astonished—despite the prophecies which had foretold of this very event—that they stopped moaning and groaning about their problems. There was complete silence as they pondered what had just happened. Several hours later, Jesus Christ spoke to them again. After He had spoken, the people began crying again for those who had died. Finally, the three days of darkness ended and morning arrived—a morning of beautiful, welcome, and appreciated light. The last remnants of the storm ended and parts of the earth that had been torn apart came back together.

The people stopped wailing and started praising God, thanking Him for returning the world back to normal. They began gathering at the temple to talk about what had happened. As they were at the temple site, they heard a voice in the heavens again. Somehow, though, they were not able to understand what the voice was saying to them. It was not loud or harsh, but it pierced their souls. They began looking around, trying to see where it was coming from. The voice repeated the words, and again they didn’t understand. The third time, however, they realized what was happening and looked heavenward. The voice said, “Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him” (3 Nephi 11:7).

Jesus Christ Appears to the People in the Book of Mormon

A man descended from heaven after the voice spoke. He was dressed in a white robe and the people thought He was an angel. They were silent, too nervous to speak.

And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying: Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning” (3 Nephi 11:9-11).

In the next article, we will learn what Jesus did during this time with them and then we’ll talk about why it is so important!

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

Which Ancient Americans Knew of Jesus’ Death?

Here we will focus on one of the most powerful parts of the Book of Mormon. One group discussed in this book came to the Americas when a patriarch and prophet from Jerusalem, named Lehi, fled because people wanted to kill him for the prophecies he taught. God led Lehi’s family to the American continent. Of Lehi’s four original sons, two were valiant and two were wicked. In time, the men divided into two groups with their followers.

Prophets continued to prophesy to both groups over centuries. One of the things the prophets taught is that Jesus Christ would come to earth. The people were given the signs of His birth and of His death.

The signs of the Savior’s birth were pleasant. There would be a day and a night and a day without any darkness. There would be a new star in the sky.

Signs of Jesus’ Crucifixion in the Americas

The signs of Christ’s crucifixion were not so nice. In fact, they were pretty scary. The people who knew the signs began paying attention 33 years after the birth of the Savior and watching for the prophesied signs of His death. The fulfillment began with a terrible storm, worse than any they had seen before. The thunder was so loud people were afraid the entire earth would split.

Lightning caused the city of Zarahemla to catch fire. Another city sank into the ocean, drowning the people who lived there. A city suddenly rose up so the people found themselves living on a mountain. A great deal of the landscape began to change, and the destruction was powerful.

All of this destruction occurred in just three hours, although many insisted it had to have been longer. However, it was merely three fiercely terrifying hours. Then it became quiet and darkness fell. It was a darkness like no other, though. No one could bring light into it. Candles, fires, nothing could pierce the darkness. The moon and stars were not visible. Even more frightening was the fact that morning did not seem to come. Three days passed without any light. People were crying and wishing they had repented already, for they feared it was too late. They understood that the deaths of many of the people were the result of the increasing wickedness that had begun to occur among the people. The darkness symbolized the death of Jesus Christ–the light of the world being taken out of the world at His death..

In the darkness something extraordinary happened—and that is the subject of the next article. Can’t wait to find out? Read the story for yourself:

Christ in America

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

He explained that he had come in answer to the prayers of Alma’s father to command Alma the Younger to turn his life around. Alma was so frightened he could neither speak nor move. His friends carried him back to his father, who rejoiced after learning about the angel’s visit. Priests gathered to pray over Alma the Younger and after two days of prayer, the young man recovered.

Born Again and the Book of Mormon

He spoke to the assembled crowd and announced that he had renounced his sins.

For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit. And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God (Mosiah 27:24-26).

Mormons believe that Jesus Christ atoned for our sins and that without His extraordinary gift to us, we could never return to live with God. He did this for every single person and all of us who ever live on earth will have access to this gift. Everyone, even those who reject Jesus Christ, will rise from the dead and live forever. Everyone has the opportunity to repent and to come to Christ and be born again.

Unfortunately, some people choose to reject the full measure of the atonement. They have no choice but to receive resurrection, but the opportunity to be born again is a choice. We must decide to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, repent, forsake our sins, and live as Jesus taught us to live.

When we do this, we are born again, a concept Jesus Christ taught is necessary in order for us to live with God again someday. It is not a one-time event, but a lifetime process of gradually bringing our own short-sighted goals and desires in line with those of God’s. Since no one but Jesus Christ has ever been perfect, we are continually working on this in our lifetime.

Born Again: Becoming Worthy of God’s Presence

Our first birth gave us our bodies and the opportunity to live on Earth. Our second birth—the process of being born again—prepares us for the final stage of life, which is after we die. In the meantime, it also helps us to live this life. We can be baptized and forgiven for our sins. Then we can receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, which provides us with guidance, comfort, and safety throughout our lives. This makes it so much easier to continue the process of becoming worthy of God’s presence.

And that is really what we’re striving for. We don’t want to enter God’s kingdom having been comfortable and happy with a life of sin. While no one is perfect, the person worthy of God’s presence has a deep love for God and Jesus Christ and is willing to honor the request the Savior made. He told us in the Bible that if we love Him, we must keep His commandments. Being born again is an act of love for Jesus Christ.

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

Jesus Appeared in the Americas
Why does it matter? It tells us that Jesus Christ is not just the Savior of a small group of people in the Holy Lands. He is the Savior of the entire world. It provides the second witness which the Bible and Jewish law both require in order for something to be deemed true. It is a powerful testimony of the Savior’s love for mankind. It is interesting to me that some people don’t want this to be true. If they think it isn’t possible, they seem to be suggesting Jesus could not come to another group of people if He chose to do so. We know, of course, that Jesus can do anything. Could it be that He didn’t want to? That would suggest Jesus Christ was a respecter of persons, who only cared about a very small portion of the world. No, the truth is that He could do any righteous thing He wanted to do. Mormons celebrate every opportunity to hear more of Jesus’ teachings. Who can say they wouldn’t wish for more?

The Book of Mormon begins with the record of a prophet named Lehi who lived in the Holy Lands just prior to the fall of Jerusalem in 600 B.C. His life was in danger, as were the lives of other prophets. God instructed Lehi to take his family and a few others into the wilderness. They were led to the ocean, where Jesus taught Lehi’s son Nephi how to build a ship that carried the family across the ocean. Jesus knows how to do anything!

Book of Mormon History

Lehi had six sons. Two of them, the oldest, were rebellious and turned away from God. They were angry when an angel revealed that their younger brother Nephi had been chosen to rule over them when their father was dead because Nephi was more righteous than they were. In those days, the oldest son had seniority, but the oldest son was not righteous. After Lehi and his wife died, Nephi and those who followed him were in grave danger from the two oldest boys and their followers, who wanted to kill them. They moved away, but over the generations to come, the two sides were often at war. The Lamanites, who followed the wicked older brothers, continued to want to kill the Nephites, who followed Nephi. The Nephites continually tried to convert the Lamanites. Sometimes they were successful. Sometimes Nephites left the church and joined the Lamanites.

The Nephites knew of Christ’s birth despite being on another continent without modern communication tools. The prophets had offered signs of his birth to the people and a prophet named Samuel, who was a Lamanite during the time when the Lamanites were valiant, had stood on a city wall to announce the coming of Christ to the Nephites, who were wicked at that time. He told them that in about five years, there would come a night when there was no darkness. For a day, a night, and the next day, it would look as though it were one day, with no darkness in between. They would see the sun rise and set, but in their area, this would not impact the light. A new star would also appear in the sky. He explained the importance of believing his message: “And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall believe on the Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life” (Helaman 14:3).

However, the wicked people, ignoring the lack of a specific date, announced that if the events did not occur on the exact date they chose, those who had believed Samuel would be killed. They were understandably anxious, not because they didn’t think those signs would occur, but because God had not given them a specific date—the Lamanites had merely chosen it at random. Their prophet went off to pray to God and was assured that the promised sign would come that very night; the night the Lamanites had set as the last day they would wait before destroying the believers.

The signs did occur and the believers were saved. Many people were converted as well, accepting the Savior as the Son of God and believing the other prophecies about Him as well, including that He would come to visit them.

Read about Samuel the Lamanite in the Book of Mormon.

The next article will explore the signs that were given to tell them Jesus had died.

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.

And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives (Mosiah 5: 7-8).

He promised them the name of Christ, if they wrote it in their hearts, would never be blotted out unless they became unworthy of it through sin. Certainly, taking on the name of Christ is a serious matter. It would be entirely disrespectful to do so and then to regularly abuse his name. People will judge Christ by the behavior of His followers. He Himself said that if we love Him, we must keep His commandments. This means that if we are unwilling to make sacrifices of some worldly pleasures in order to honor His name, we are suggesting we do not love Him, in which case we should not be wearing His name. No one is perfect, but we’re expected to be working towards perfection, repenting when we fall short.

Dallin H. Oaks, a Mormon apostle, explained what it means to take the name of the Savior on us:

We see that we take upon us the name of Christ when we are baptized in his name, when we belong to his Church and profess our belief in him, and when we do the work of his kingdom…..

“Willingness to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ can therefore be understood as willingness to take upon us the authority of Jesus Christ.… Our willingness to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ affirms our commitment to do all that we can to be counted among those whom he will choose to stand at his right hand and be called by his name at the last day. In this sacred sense, our witness that we are willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ constitutes our declaration of candidacy for exaltation in the celestial kingdom. Exaltation is eternal life, ‘the greatest of all the gifts of God’ (D&C 14:7)” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1985, 102–3, 105; or Ensign, May 1985, 80–81, 83).

This, then, is not an honorary title. It means that salvation is more than merely saying a few words and then going about our lives just as we did before. We don’t earn Heaven, but we do demonstrate our love for Jesus Christ, as He taught, by keeping the commandments and showing that He means so much to us we are willing to do anything He asks of us. When done in a spirit of love, obedience to the commandments is an essential part of salvation because it signifies we have truly had a change of heart—our whole lives have changed.

If our lives haven’t changed, what is the point of becoming a Christian? Christianity, taking on the name of the Savior, accepting the atonement of Jesus Christ—these things are all meant to change our lives, both now and for eternity.

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.

Mosiah 4 in the Book of Mormon details King Benjamin’s teachings about the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. He offers some insights into how the atonement of Jesus Christ impacts not just our eternal lives, but our behavior in this mortal life. If we completely understand it, the atonement will make us behave differently. This was addressed somewhat in a previous article in Enos, who, after receiving forgiveness for his sins, discovered he wanted everyone to have the same joy—even his enemies.

As King Benjamin spoke, the people began to understand their need for the atonement of Jesus Christ and prayed for mercy and forgiveness. He assured them that repenting of their sins and accepting the role of the future atonement of Jesus Christ would bring them peace of consciousness, which would then allow them have peace and joy, even in difficult times.

Mormons believe that salvation comes only through the atonement of Jesus Christ, not, as some have falsely said of Mormons, that it comes only from good works. Benjamin explained this to his people:

“I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world. And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you” (verses 7-8).

A modern Mormon apostle, the late James Faust, said:

“My reason for wanting to learn all I can about the Atonement is partly selfish: Our salvation depends on believing in and accepting the Atonement [see Mosiah 4:6–7]. Such acceptance requires a continual effort to understand it more fully. The Atonement advances our mortal course of learning by making it possible for our natures to become perfect [see Moroni 10:32]. All of us have sinned and need to repent to fully pay our part of the debt. When we sincerely repent, the Savior’s magnificent Atonement pays the rest of that debt [see 2 Nephi 25:23]” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2001, 19; or Ensign, Nov. 2001, 18).

In verse 11, King Benjamin reminds his audience that they cannot save themselves. He tells them they are nothing of themselves. He then goes on to explain how a true Christian will begin to behave once he has accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.

In verse 12, King Benjamin promises that if his people honor the atonement and love God, their entire lives will change. They will no longer have any desire to hurt other people. They will want to live peaceably and give to each person that which is his due.

Completely understanding and internalizing the atonement would help them become better parents. They would not allow their children to suffer or to fight and they would teach them to keep God’s commandments and to love one another.

Of course, to do this, they must also live this way, but with the atonement fully in their hearts, they will want to. King Benjamin says that by understanding the atonement, they will want to take care of those in need. They will never turn away a beggar, not even one who appears to have brought his troubles on himself. Why not?

For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for
gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?

And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.

And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another (Verses 19-21).

Benjamin explains that we are completely indebted to God for everything we have and thus, we are beggars, and unworthy ones at that, since we all do things that make our lives harder than necessary. Since we plead to God to help us out of those trials, we must do the same for the other people we come into contact with. He adds a note, however, that if we have nothing to give, God does not expect us to give—but He does expect us to wish we had something to give.

If the world were to follow the teachings of this chapter and fully internalize the atonement, applying it to every aspect of our lives, we could solve the majority of the world’s problems. Throughout the Book of Mormon, you will see what happens when people do this and what happens when they do not.

Terrie Lynn Bittner

The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.