Witness

Its that great time of the year again when the NBA Playoffs roll into town. Out of all the teams, out of all the players and coaches, perhaps there is no greater hype than that surrounding Lebron James. Will this be the year he gets the title? Or will Derrick Rose and the Bulls cool down the Heat from Miami? I can remember a few years ago an interesting logo that caught my eye. On many shirts was written a single word, "WITNESS." Many witness the great players that are in the NBA now, but today I would like to speak of another witness. One of far greater significance with an eternal effect for all. It is the witness of Jesus Christ as our savior. As his humble servant, I know that he lives and loves all of his children. Though at times we may feel darkness surrounds us, storms that never cease, through Christ we have life and hope. The darkest of days can be transformed into the purest of white as we reflect and remember Jesus sacrifice for us. If there is anyone who is lost or feeling saddened, confused upon where to turn, come unto him, "for Jesus saith I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the father but by me."(John 14:6) There has not been a prophet, a book of scripture, or leader of his church since the world began that did not testify of him and his mission.

CHRIST SAVES US FROM SPIRITUAL DEATH

There is no other way than through Christ that we can repent.

 23For all have ^asinned, and come short of the glory of God; We need a savior to help make us clean again.

 18Come now, and let us ^areason together, saith the Lord: though your ^bsins be as scarlet, they shall be as ^cwhite as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Just as the white letters "witness" on a black shirt, I testify that when we turn our lives to him and repent, he can make us pure as snow, new beings. For he stood in our place in the Garden and "offereth himself as a sacrifice for sin unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit". (2 Nephi 2:7) Some of the most beautiful prayers I have had in my entire lifetime are the ones where I have humbly prayed for help in conquering sin and evil Speak to him, for he listens. Trust in him, he will give you the power to overcome all things. For "he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world."(1 Nephi 11:33)

CHRIST DIED TO SAVE US FROM DEATH

Many times on my mission I have told all that I know that Christ lives today.  20But now is ^aChrist ^brisen from the dead, and become the ^cfirstfruits of them that slept.

 21For since by man came ^adeath, by man came also the ^bresurrection of the dead.

 22For as in ^aAdam all ^bdie, even so in ^cChrist shall all be made ^dalive. I know through him all of us will be resurrected again, or receive our body and spirit reunited after we die. He died to take away the sting of death. One afternoon in a little church building I sat with a young kid named Brian. As we spoke, I asked him what mattered most to him? He replied promptly and without hesitation, "my father!!" I turned to his mother, who quietly whispered that his father had passed away. I testified of Christ, that "he is the resurrecion and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead yet shall he live." (John 11:25) The spirit bore witness to my heart that this was true. We will all live again because of him. Another experience I had while in Hardin touched my heart deeply. We received a phone call late one night to visit a family and there mother who was visiting from Arizona. They spoke of a family member who was deathly ill, but who was getting better. They wanted us to pray for them. I felt impressed to share my thoughts on the resurrection. We watched a video as the prophet testified that all will rise again. We added our own witness to this truth. Later on in the week the family member passed away, but the mother and family were not said. They knew they would see him again. I want the world to know that I know Christ lives. He is the way back to our father and heaven again. He is the reason to hope, to obtain mercy, and he loves us all, of this I bear my witness this day and forever.