Jesus the Christ:Our Master and More
By Elder Russell M. Nelson
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Nelson speaks of what Mormon doctrine teaches us about the role and mission of Jesus Christ – what truths have been restored to us in Mormon belief.
My lifelong interest in the human heart took an unexpected turn in April 1984, when I was called to leave the operating room of the hospital and enter the upper room of the temple. There I became an ordained Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. I did not seek such a call but have humbly tried to be worthy of that trust and privilege of being His representative, now hoping to mend hearts spiritually as I previously did surgically.
As one who has been called, sustained, and ordained—one of 15 special witnesses of our Lord and Master—I follow this vital theme from the Book of Mormon: “We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, [and] we prophesy of Christ” (2 Ne. 25:26).
We honor Him as the most important individual ever to live on planet Earth. He is Jesus the Christ, our Master and more. He has numerous names, titles, and responsibilities, all of eternal significance. The Topical Guide under the heading “Jesus Christ” has 19 pages (240–58) filled with references listed under 57 subheadings. In the space allotted here we could not fully consider or comprehend all of these important facets of His life. But for now I would like to review, even briefly, 10 of those mighty responsibilities, not wanting to imply any order of priority because all He accomplished was equally supernal in scope.
Creator
Under the direction of the Father, Jesus bore the responsibility of Creator. His title was “the Word,” spelled with a capital W (see JST, John 1:16, Bible appendix). In the Greek language of the New Testament, that Word was Logos, or “expression.” It was another name for the Master. That terminology may seem strange, but it is appropriate. We use words to convey our expression to others. So Jesus was the Word, or expression, of His Father to the world.
The Gospel of John proclaims that Christ is the Creator of all things: “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3; see also D&C 93:21).
In modern revelation, Jesus’ responsibility as Creator of many worlds is affirmed:
“Therefore, in the beginning the Word was, for he was the Word, even the messenger of salvation—
“The light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth, who came into the world, because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men.
“The worlds were made by him; men were made by him; all things were made by him, and through him” (D&C 93:8–10; see also 1 Cor. 8:6; Heb. 1:2; 2 Ne. 9:5; 3 Ne. 9:15; D&C 76:23–24; D&C 88:42–48; D&C 101:32–34).
The book of Helaman records similar testimony, declaring that “Jesus Christ [is] … the Creator of all things from the beginning” (Hel. 14:12). Another clarifying quotation came from “the Lord God [who] said unto Moses: For mine own purpose have I made these things. …
“And by the word of my power, have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth.
“And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten” (Moses 1:31–33).
This hallowed Creator provided that each of us may have a physical body, uniquely individual yet in many respects comparable to every other human body. Just as a well-educated musician can recognize the composer of a symphony by its style and structure, so a well-educated surgeon can recognize the Creator of human beings by the similarity of style and structure of our anatomy. Individual variations notwithstanding, this similarity provides additional evidence and deep spiritual confirmation of our divine creation by our same Creator. It enhances the understanding of our relationship to Him:
“The Gods went down to organize man in their own image, in the image of the Gods to form they him, male and female to form they them.
“And the Gods said: We will bless them” (Abr. 4:27–28).
Indeed, they have blessed each of us. Our bodies can repair and defend themselves. They regenerate new cells to replace old ones. Our bodies carry seeds that allow reproduction of our own kind with our unique individual characteristics. Little wonder our Creator is also known as the great Physician (see Matt. 9:12), able to heal the sick (see 3 Ne. 9:13; D&C 35:9; D&C 42:48–51), restore sight to the blind (see John 9:1–11), unstop the ears of the deaf (see Isa. 35:5; 3 Ne. 26:15), and raise the dead (see Matt. 9:23–26; John 11:5–45). And in these latter days, He has revealed a code of health known as the Word of Wisdom that has blessed the lives of all who have obeyed it in faith. So we honor Jesus as our Creator, divinely directed by His Father.
Jehovah
Jesus was Jehovah. This sacred title is recorded only four times in the King James version of the Holy Bible (see Ex. 6:3; Ps. 83:18; Isa. 12:2; Isa. 26:4). The use of this holy name is also confirmed in modern scripture (see Moro. 10:34; D&C 109:68; D&C 110:3; D&C 128:9). Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word hayah, which means “to be” or “to exist.” A form of the word hayah in the Hebrew text of the Old Testament was translated into English as I AM (Ex. 3:14).
Remarkably, I AM was used by Jehovah as a name for Himself (see D&C 29:1; D&C 38:1; D&C 39:1). Read the following intriguing dialogue from the Old Testament. Moses had just received a divine appointment he did not seek, a commission to lead the children of Israel out of bondage. The scene takes place atop Mount Sinai:
“Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
No doubt Moses felt inadequate for his calling, even as you and I may when given a challenging assignment.
“And Moses said [again] unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
“And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever” (Ex. 3:11, 13–15).
Jehovah had thus revealed to Moses this very name that He had meekly and modestly chosen for His own premortal identification: “I AM.”
Later in His mortal ministry, Jesus occasionally repeated this name. Do you remember His terse response to tormenting questioners? Note the double meaning in His reply to Caiaphas, the chief high priest:
“The high priest asked him, … Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
“And Jesus said, I am” (Mark 14:61–62).
He was declaring both His lineage and His name. Another instance occurred when Jesus was taunted about His acquaintanceship with Abraham:
“Then said the Jews unto him, … hast thou seen Abraham?
“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:57–58).
Jehovah—the great I AM, the God of the Old Testament—clearly identified Himself when he personally appeared in His glory as a resurrected being to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple on 3 April 1836. I quote from their written testimony:
“We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.
“His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain” (D&C 110:2–4; emphasis added; see also D&C 76:23).
Jesus fulfilled His responsibility as Jehovah, “the Great I AM,” with eternal consequence.
Advocate with the Father
Jesus is our Advocate with the Father (see 1 Jn. 2:1; D&C 29:5; D&C 32:3; D&C 45:3; D&C 110:4). The word advocate comes from Latin roots meaning a “voice for” or “one who pleads for another.” Other related terms are used in scripture, such as mediator (see 1 Tim. 2:5, 2 Ne. 2:28; D&C 76:69). From the Book of Mormon we learn that this responsibility to mediate, or make intercession, was foreseen before His birth: Jesus “shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved” (2 Ne. 2:9).
This mission was clearly evident in the compassionate intercessory prayer of Jesus. In your mind, picture Him kneeling in fervent supplication. Listen to the beautiful language of His prayer. Sense His feeling for His weighty responsibility as mediator:
“I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
“Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
“For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
“I pray for them” (John 17:6–9).He is also known as the Mediator of the new testament, or new covenant (see Heb. 9:15; Heb. 12:24). Comprehending Him as our Advocate, Intercessor, and Mediator with the Father gives us assurance of His unequaled understanding, justice, and mercy (see Alma 7:12).
Immanuel
Jesus was foreordained to be the promised Immanuel. Remember Isaiah’s remarkable prophecy: “The Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14). Fulfillment of that prophecy was not just unlikely, it was humanly impossible. Incredible! Everyone knew a virgin could not bear a child. And then for that child to be given such a pretentious name was doubly daring. The Hebrew name—the title of which Isaiah prophesied, Immanuel—literally means “with us is God”! (See Isa. 7:14, footnote e.) That holy name was subsequently given to Jesus in the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants (see Matt. 1:23; 2 Ne. 17:14; D&C 128:22).
Immanuel could be such only at the will of His Father.
Son of God
Jesus alone bore His responsibility as the Son of God, the Only Begotten Son of the Father (see John 1:14, 18; John 3:16). Jesus was literally “the Son of the Highest” (Luke 1:32; see also Luke 1:35). In more than a dozen verses of scripture, the solemn word of God the Father bears testimony that Jesus is truly His Beloved Son. That solemn testimony is often coupled with God’s pleading for mankind to hear and obey the voice of His revered Son (see Matt. 3:17; Matt. 17:5; Mark 1:11; Mark 9:7; Luke 3:22; Luke 9:35; 2 Pet. 1:17; 2 Ne. 31:11; 3 Ne. 11:7; 3 Ne. 21:20; D&C 93:15; Moses 4:2; JS—H 1:17). Through the condescension of God, that most unlikely prophecy of Isaiah (see Isa. 7:14) became a reality.
The unique parentage of Jesus was also announced to Nephi, who was thus instructed by an angel:
“Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh. …
“… Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!” (1 Ne. 11:18, 21).
From His Heavenly Father, Jesus inherited His potential for immortality and eternal life. From His mother, Jesus inherited death (see Gen. 3:15; Mark 6:3). Prior to His Crucifixion, He spoke these words of clarification:
“I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
“No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This … have I received of my Father” (John 10:17–18).
Though separate from His Heavenly Father in both body and spirit, Jesus is one with His Father in power and purpose. Their ultimate objective is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).
Some may wonder why the Son is occasionally referred to as “the Father.” The designation used for any man can vary. Every man is a son but may also be called father, brother, uncle, or grandfather, depending on his circumstance. So we must not allow ourselves to become confused regarding divine identity, purpose, or doctrine. Because Jesus was our Creator, He is known in scripture as “the Father of all things” (Mosiah 7:27; see also Mosiah 15:3; Mosiah 16:15; Hel. 14:12; Ether 3:14). But please remember, as the First Presidency under President Joseph F. Smith taught: “Jesus Christ is not the Father of the spirits who have taken or yet shall take bodies upon this earth, for He is one of them. He is The Son, as they are sons or daughters of Elohim” (in James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols. [1965–75], 5:34).
We comprehend that distinction well when we pray to our Heavenly Father in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. And as we do so regularly, we honor our heavenly and earthly parentage, just as Jesus honored His—as the Son of God.
Anointed One
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power” (Acts 10:38). Jesus was the Anointed One. Because of this fact, He was accorded two specific titles. One was the Messiah, which in Hebrew means “the anointed.” The other was the Christ, which comes from the Greek word that also means “the anointed.” Thus, “Jesus is spoken of as the Christ and the Messiah, which means he is the one anointed of the Father to be his personal representative in all things pertaining to the salvation of mankind” (Bible Dictionary, “Anointed One,” 609). Scriptures declare that Christ is the only name under heaven whereby salvation comes (see 2 Ne. 25:20). So one may add either of these titles to signify adoration for Jesus: the Christ or the Messiah, both signifying an anointing by God for that supernal responsibility.
Savior and Redeemer
Jesus was born to be Savior and Redeemer of all mankind (see Isa. 49:26; 1 Ne. 10:5). He was the Lamb of God (see 1 Ne. 10:10) who offered Himself without spot or blemish (see 1 Pet. 1:19) as a sacrifice for the sins of the world (see John 1:29). Later, as the resurrected Lord, He related that sacred responsibility to the meaning of the gospel, which He described in one powerful passage:
“Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.
“And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross” (3 Ne. 27:13–14; see also 3 Ne. 27:15–21).
Thus, Jesus personally defined gospel. This term comes from the Old English godspell, which means “good news.” The LDS Bible Dictionary notes the following: “The good news is that Jesus Christ has made a perfect atonement for mankind that will redeem all mankind from the grave and reward each individual according to his/her works and sincerest desires. This atonement was begun by his appointment in the premortal world but was worked out by Jesus during his mortal sojourn” (Bible Dictionary, “Gospels,” 682).
Jesus’ Atonement had been foretold long before He was born in Bethlehem. Prophets had so prophesied His advent for many generations. Let us sample from the record of Helaman, written some 30 years before the Savior’s birth: “Remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world” (Hel. 5:9).
His Atonement blesses each of us in a very personal way. Read carefully this explanation from Jesus:
“For behold, I, God, 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, 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” (D&C 19:16–19).
Jesus fulfilled His glorious promise made in preearthly councils by atoning for the fall of Adam and Eve unconditionally and for our own sins upon the condition of our repentance. His responsibility as Savior and Redeemer was indelibly intertwined with His responsibility as Creator.
To shed additional insight on this relationship, I would like to share a remarkable quotation I found in a rare book in London one day while searching through the library of the British Museum. It was published as a 20th-century English translation of an ancient Egyptian text. It was written by Timothy, Archbishop of Alexandria, who died in A.D. 385. This record refers to the creation of Adam; premortal Jesus is speaking of His Father:
“He … made Adam according to Our image and likeness, and He left him lying for forty days and forty nights without putting breath into him. And He heaved sighs over him daily, saying, ‘If I put breath into this [man], he must suffer many pains.’ And I said unto My father, ‘Put breath into him; I will be an advocate for him.’ And My Father said unto Me, ‘If I put breath into him, My beloved Son, Thou wilt be obliged to go down into the world, and to suffer many pains for him before Thou shalt have redeemed him, and made him to come back to his primal state.’ And I said unto My Father, ‘Put breath into him; I will be his advocate, and I will go down into the world, and will fulfil Thy command’ ” (“Discourse on Abbaton,” in E. A. Wallis Budge, ed. and trans., Coptic Martyrdoms etc. in the Dialect of Upper Egypt [1977], brackets appear in printed text; see Moses 3:7; Moses 6:8–9, 51–52, 59).
Jesus’ responsibility as Advocate, Savior, and Redeemer was foredetermined in premortal realms and fulfilled by His Atonement (see Job 19:25–26; Matt. 1:21; Abr. 3:24–27). Our responsibility is to remember, to repent, and to be righteous.
Judge
Closely allied to the Lord’s status as Savior and Redeemer is His responsibility as Judge. Jesus revealed this interrelationship after He had declared His definition of the gospel, which we cited earlier:
“As I have been lifted up [upon the cross] by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—
“… Therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works” (3 Ne. 27:14–15).
The Book of Mormon sheds further light on how that judgment will occur. So does the temple endowment. When we approach that threshold of the eternal court of justice, we know who will personally preside:
“The keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.
“And whoso knocketh, to him will he open” (2 Ne. 9:41–42).
Scriptures indicate that the Lord will receive apostolic assistance when exercising judgment upon the house of Israel (see 1 Ne. 12:9; D&C 29:12). Our personal encounter at judgment will be aided by our own “bright recollection” (Alma 11:43) and “perfect remembrance” (Alma 5:18) of our deeds, as well as by the desires of our hearts (see D&C 137:9).
Exemplar
Another overarching responsibility of the Lord is that of Exemplar. To people of the Holy Land, He said, “I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15; see also John 14:6; 1 Pet. 2:21). To people of ancient America, He again emphasized His mission as Exemplar: “I am the light; I have set an example for you” (3 Ne. 18:16; see also 3 Ne. 27:27; 2 Ne. 31:9, 16). In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenged His followers with His admonition: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48).
Sinless and flawless as Jesus was in mortality, we should remember that He viewed His own state of physical perfection as being yet in the future (see Luke 13:32). Even He had to endure to the end. Can you and I be expected to do less?
When the crucified and resurrected Lord appeared to the people in ancient America, He again stressed the importance of His example. But now He included Himself as a perfected personage: “I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect” (3 Ne. 12:48).
Are you vexed by your own imperfections? For example, have you ever locked your keys inside the car? Or have you ever moved from one room to another, to accomplish a task, only to find you had forgotten what you wanted to do? (Incidentally, troubles of that nature don’t disappear as you grow older.) Please do not be discouraged by the Lord’s expression of hope for your perfection. You should have faith to know that He would not require development beyond your capacity. Of course you should strive to correct habits or thoughts which are improper. Conquering of weakness brings great joy. You can attain a certain degree of perfection in some things in this life. And you can become perfect in keeping various commandments. But the Lord was not necessarily asking for your errorless and perfect behavior in all things. He was pleading for more than that. His hopes are for your full potential to be realized: to become as He is! That includes the perfection of your physical body, when it will be changed to an immortal state that cannot deteriorate or die.
So while you earnestly strive for continuing improvement in your life here, remember that your resurrection, exaltation, completion, and perfection await you in the life to come. That precious promise of perfection could not have been possible without the Lord’s Atonement and example.
Millennial Messiah
One of the Lord’s ultimate responsibilities lies yet in the future. That will be His masterful status as the Millennial Messiah. When that day comes, the physical face of the earth will have been changed: “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain” (Isa. 40:4). Then Jesus will return to the earth. His Second Coming will be no secret. It will be broadly known: “The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isa. 40:5).
Then, “the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). He will govern from two world capitals, one in old Jerusalem (see Jer. 3:17; Zech. 14:4–7; D&C 45:48–66; D&C 133:19–21) and the other in the New Jerusalem, “built upon the American continent” (A of F 1:10; see also Ether 13:3–10; D&C 84:2–4). From these centers He will direct the affairs of His Church and kingdom. Then He “shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15; see also Ex. 15:18; Ps. 146:10; Mosiah 3:5; D&C 76:108).
In that day He will bear new titles and be surrounded by special Saints. He will be known as “Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that [will be] with him [will be those who] are called, and chosen, and faithful” to their trust here in mortality (Rev. 17:14; see also Rev. 19:16).
He is Jesus the Christ, our Master and more. We have discussed but 10 of His many responsibilities: Creator, Jehovah, Advocate with the Father, Immanuel, Son of God, Anointed One, Savior and Redeemer, Judge, Exemplar, and Millennial Messiah.
As His disciples, you and I bear mighty responsibilities too. Wherever I walk, it is my divine calling and sacred privilege to bear fervent testimony of Jesus the Christ. He lives! I love Him. Eagerly I follow Him, and willingly I offer my life in His service. As His special witness, I solemnly teach of Him. I testify of Him. And each of you also has the responsibility to know