He knew Abraham in the councils of heaven. He created the world, the sun, moon and stars. He walked and talked with Adam and Eve, was present at their creation and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. He confronted Cain, after Abel was killed. He spoke with prophets, guided them in instructing people about the purpose of life. He wrote the law.

He spoke with Moses on the mount, called him to the work, to free his people from Egyptian bondage, then for 40 years led them through the wilderness, feeding them, instructing them, honing the Children of Israel into a covenant people. He knew rejection, disappointment.He came to earth, born of a virgin and of God the Eternal Father. The angels sang His praises. Shepherds and wise men worshipped Him. He "grew in favor with God and man." In a weakened state after 40 days of fasting, He was tested by Satan and He overcame. He sought out John the Baptist who baptized Him and who sent his followers to the man from Galilee.

He devoted his three-year ministry among His people to serving others, to healing their illnesses, to teaching them love, to calling a nation to repentance, one soul at a time. He did marvelous works among His people. He called, ordained twelve to help Him and gave them the keys of the kingdom. He instituted the sacrament as a remembrance of His sacrifice for us.

He suffered all things, endured all things, wept and atoned for the sins of the world. He was betrayed, arrested, wrongfully tried and convicted.

He was scourged, beaten and finally crucified. His last thoughts were about His friends and His mother. He voluntarily gave His life so that all may live again.

On the third day He arose, ascended to His Father, visited His companions, His "other sheep" on the American continent and elsewhere. For 40 days He instructed His disciples near Jerusalem then ascended into heaven to welcoming angels and heavenly hosts. He will come again the same way.

His life, death and resurrection are celebrated in simple Primary songs and in majestic works of the world's great composers.

He was present when an inquiring New York farm boy sought the answer to a prayer: "Which church should I join?"

He asked His disciples, "Whom do men say that I am." And Peter answered with words of conviction and power, nothing wavering: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

We, too, can know in our hearts that Jesus is the Christ. That He died for us and lives for us. He is our Advocate with the Father. He is the reason we celebrate Christmas and Easter. His work is what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is about. His kingdom is nigh. He is Jehovah, our elder brother in the premortal world. His name is Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. His name stirs our souls. His work stirs our consciousness. He stands with a perfect love for us, and all He asks in return is our obedience, our devotion, our time and our love. When He shows us how to love - both ourselves and our fellow beings - we glimpse, however briefly, how life with Him - eternal life with Him - will be.

We Latter-day Saints echo the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith: "This is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That He lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father - That by him and through him and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." (D&C 76:22-24.)

We also testify to the words of our present-day prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, concerning the Savior: "He is King of kings and Lord of lords. . . . How much truer, how much deeper are our lives and appreciation and respect one for another because of Him. How infinite is our opportunity for exaltation made possible through His redeeming love." (First Presidency Christmas Devotional, Dec. 3, 1995.)

One day, in the not too-distant future, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world.

"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.

"Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God." (D&C 45:39, 52.)