I am a missionary in the Korea Seoul Mission. One of the things I did to prepare for my mission was to study the New Testament in seminary. That book is the best thing to study if you want to learn about the Savior. It contains so many of His teachings and the apostles' testimonies of Him. While studying the New Testament in seminary, I did the following to learn about the Savior and strengthen my testimony of Him:

- Studied the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) as a group.- Chose one of Christ's teachings each week or month and tried to follow it. By following the teachings of Christ we strengthen our testimonies of Him because He did everything He taught us to do.

- Studied Acts and the Epistles of Paul to see how the apostles and disciples of Christ applied His teachings. Through their examples I learned to apply Christ's teachings in my own life.

- Studied His teachings to the Nephites in the Book of Mormon while studying the New Testament and Christ's teachings.

"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." (John 7:17.) - Elder Justin Reed Shewell, Korea Seoul Mission

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How we did it:

Study parables

I'm a convert to the Church, and one of my first callings was a Primary teacher. I was teaching the CTR A class, and the material dealt a lot with the New Testament and the Savior's parables. I learned so much from teaching about those parables. I grew to love the parables, and because of what I was teaching, I wanted to learn the New Testament. Studying the New Testament and the parables taught me much about the Savior. It strengthened my testimony and solidified it.

I suggest to others to study the parables of the Savior and to apply them in their lives. The scriptures contain the essence of His teachings - to be kind, to love one another and to watch out for one another. - Virginia Rose, Bellevue, Neb.

Achieving happiness

Through studying the New Testament - in particular the Beatitudes - my testimony is strengthened. Daily, I seek answers to life's complex problems and the means for achieving happiness. Yet the answers are as clear and concise today as they were on the day that Christ delivered them during the Sermon on the Mount. No prerequisites are required to follow His counsel. No special degrees are needed and no socio/economic status must be achieved. His counsel was not for any particular age or gender. His counsel is for all.

Jesus said simply: Be humble, be kind and gentle, seek after righteousness, show mercy, be loyal to the gospel. All these teachings are forthright and simple. We tend to make our lives harder than they need to be. When we try to follow His counsel, the way becomes clear and almost easy. But when we try to take matters into our own hands, we can find the pain and worry unbearable. Jesus Christ is my Savior and my Master Teacher. When I exercise faith in His love for me, I am truly blessed. - Patricia Weegar, Chesterfield, Va.

Taught about Christ

As a boy, I was taught about Christ. I learned of His miraculous birth. I learned how Joseph in a dream was told by an angel to leave Bethlehem and flee to Egypt so that King Herod could not harm the young child. I learned of John the Baptist and how he baptized Jesus. I learned of Jesus' ministry, of the miracles He performed, of the lessons He taught. Most important, I learned that He went to Gethsemane, that He took upon Himself all of mankind's suffering, pain and sin, that He was betrayed and then crucified. I learned that He conquered death. I was taught these lessons of the New Testament. Thus, when missionaries knocked on my door, I was able to embrace the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ.

I would suggest teaching your children these stories from the New Testament so they too will know of Christ and of His love for us. Also, combine your study of the New Testament with the Book of Mormon to enhance your understanding of the Atonement. - Tommie Farrell, Hobbs, N.M.

Research Christ's life

If you truly want to "enhance your testimony of the Savior," do not just study the New Testament but study or research the scriptures. This is the only way to study or research the life of the Savior. Ask questions: Who was He really? Why did He come here? Where is He now?

The scriptures will tell you all of the answers. Study the Savior; research the Savior. Learn of Him, and then after you have found for yourself who Jesus Christ really was, write it down so you won't forget and that your children may know. This is the way to "enhance your testimony of the Savior" and to know who Jesus Christ our Savior really was, is and will forever be. - Pat Mayfield, Oronogo, Mo.

What Savior is saying

I pray before studying, and I try to think about what the Savior is trying to say to me, and how what the scriptures teach in the particular section I'm studying can help me to improve myself and become more like Christ.

Studying the other standard works as you study the New Testament can also increase your understanding of the New Testament itself and help you see how each volume of scripture testifies of Christ in its own way, and how they all work together to bear testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. - Janice Leilani Smith, Kingsville, Texas

Simple statement

I think that we should remember that Christianity did not come from the New Testament, but the New Testament from Christianity. Many lives were changed by the Savior's teachings and from His simple statement of "Come follow me" and "I am the way." Many people followed His ways.

To me, one of the great testimonies I get from studying the New Testament is based on three points, although I'm sure there are more. The three that stand out to me are His birth, His life and His death. His birth - being chosen to be the Savior and Redeemer of mankind and fulfilling the prophecies of earlier prophets. His life - as He taught His message to the world regarding the salvation of their souls and showing by example how to live our lives. His death and resurrection - suffering all the pain and indignities of man, being crucified, laid in the tomb until His resurrection as the living Savior of the world.

The Savior did all of this to make it possible for us to return to our Father in Heaven. Through studying the New Testament and the Book of Mormon (Another Witness of Jesus Christ), we can have a stronger testimony of Christ's mission earth. - Robert T. Pawlowski, Pasadena, Calif.

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How to checklist:

1 Study the four gospels; -research Christ's life.

2 Apply His teachings, example in your life; live gospel.

3 Pray before studying scriptures; ponder what you read.

4 Combine New Testament and Book of Mormon study.

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WRITE TO US:

Jan. 21 "How to cooperate as parents in the discipline of your children."

Jan. 28 "How to cope and be patient while waiting to adopt children."

Feb. 4 "How to enhance relationships between brothers and sisters."

Feb. 11 "How to smoothly adjust to marriage."

Feb. 18 "How to overcome roadblocks to personal progress."

Feb. 25 "How to utilize Church publications for personal study and lesson preparation."

March 4 "How to cope when a loved one dies or is incapacitated as a result of alcohol or drug abuse."

Had any good experiences or practical success in any of the above subjects? Share them with our readers in about 100-150 words. Write the "How-to" editor, Church News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110, or send fax to (801) 237-2121. Please include a name and phone number. Contributions may be edited or excerpted and will not be returned. Due to limited space, some contributions may not be used; those used should not be regarded as official Church doctrine or policy. Material must be received at least 12 days before publication date.