The words of Jesus Christ and the testimony of His witnesses should be studied and mastered by true Christians and those who are striving to become such - by the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Church curriculum for adults has just concluded a year's study of the Old Testament and its host of witnesses concerning the Messiah and His teachings. This year's adult curriculum study provides the opportunity for a renewed emphasis on the New Testament and its witness of the life and teachings of the mortal Messiah - Jesus Christ.Containing the most extensive record known to exist of Jesus and of the apostles closely associated with Him, the New Testament is one of the world's greatest written treasures.

The New Testament does not reveal the day to day or year to year account of the life of Jesus. Rather it provides a record of testimonies of who Jesus was, what He taught, and what He accomplished. It is a sacred book that bears record of his Divine Sonship - that He was the Way - and demonstrated by example how to live to qualify for the blessings of eternal life and exaltation.

The supreme work He wrought was the Atonement - the great fulfillment of the exercise of mercy, justice and love. He crowned his Godly labor with His resurrection from the dead, which extends eternal possibilities to all the children of men. His sermons and interviews provide the master teaching of principles and doctrine, of covenants and ordinances. In righteousness and truth He showed all the way.

How many of us recognize the treasure we hold in our hands, this book that we call the New Testament? And how many realize what a privilege it is to be able to devote time, energy and serious thought to this marvelous record while sharing ideas, information, inspiration and testimony with fellow saints?

This year, through the chapters and verses of the New Testament, we will read accounts of some of the most important events that have taken place on Earth: the birth of Jesus; His ministry that brought the bread of life and the font of living waters to all who hunger and thirst; the atoning sacrifice on the cross and the glorious resurrection.

As we study the New Testament, we can walk vicariously with Him on His journeys and listen as He answers the questions of His disciples. We can place ourselves among the multitudes He fed - both with fishes and loaves and with the wisest of all teachings.

We can learn something of the ministry and teachings of His authorized servants, the apostles and prophets. They received His personal call and tutelage, and then with a special endowment of power carried out their special labor as living witnesses of His divinity and of His bodily resurrection from the dead. (Acts 1:22.)

They presided over the Church established by Christ with Peter as the chief apostle and president. They were the official teachers and interpreters of the commandments and gospel principles. They directed the work of proclaiming the good news - the gospel of Jesus Christ - to as many of the people of the world as they were able. This scriptural record provides the divine pattern for God's watchcare and governance of His children through such authorized agents.

These same principles, system, order, and officers have been restored in the last days through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The apostolic ministry continues - Ezra Taft Benson is the chief apostle and president of the Church of Jesus Christ today.

These are valuable truths brought to light and given perspective through the pages of the New Testament.

Added to the testimony and witness of Jesus Christ in the Old and New Testament is the testimony and witness of the Savior in the Book of Mormon. In October 1982 a new subtitle was announced for the Book of Mormon - "Another Testament of Jesus Christ."

This year in our adult curriculum as we study the New Testament, we can grow in faith and testimony of the Master and increase in gospel scholarship. This sacred book provides a rich foundation for gospel understanding - of special significance is its teaching and demonstration of gospel living.

Let diligence and determination govern our study of this important scriptural compilation so that its pages of eternal treasure might be opened as a blessing upon all who partake of its truths.