"In the mouths of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (2 Corinthians 13:1.)

Thus wrote Paul to the saints at Corinth to validate His teachings to them. Throughout the scriptures there are frequent references to the law of witnesses.

The law of witnesses, whether in religious or legal matters, requires that the testimony of two or three witnesses be given to validate any matter.

"A witness gives personal verification of, or attests to the reality of, an event. To 'witness' in the scriptural sense is much the same as in the legal sense: to give personal testimony based on first hand evidence or experience. To bear false witness is a very serious offense.

"In legal affairs, the testimony is usually related to what a person knows by the physical senses. In spiritual matters there is additional knowledge or information received through the Holy Spirit." (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, p. 1569.)

Based on this premise the testimony of 15 witnesses cannot be ignored.

On Jan. 1, 2000, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve in a signed testimony bore witness of the Living Christ. Theirs is a powerful witness as to the Divinity of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ.

"As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth," the testimony begins.

The 15 men who signed their names to this testimony are all ordained Apostles, a calling that makes them " . . . special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world. . . . " (D&C 107:23.) This latest printed document issued to all the world affirms their extraordinary calling.

Copies of this special declaration are to be given to all families in the Church through their home teachers. Each family needs to read it in a setting such as family home evening.

"We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world," affirm these witnesses.

Consider these powerful words:

"We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth — 'built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.' (Ephesians 2:20.)

"We testify that He will someday return to earth, 'And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.' (Isaiah 40:5.) He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

"We bear testimony as His duly ordained Apostles — that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come."

These powerful words should sink deeply into our souls as the truth borne by valid witnesses for the Latter-day Saints as well as for all the world.

Latter-day Saints are truly Christians, as this testimony of the Apostles validates. As such let us live by His words and keep His commandments so that we might live eternally with Him in those celestial realms on high.

This profound testimony concludes with these words:

"God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son."

And let it be added here: God be thanked for living Apostles who have borne their solemn witness of the Living Christ, and who by their examples as well as by their words entreat us all to come unto Christ.

" . . . Blessed are they who shall believe in [their] words, . . ." (3 Nephi 12:2.)