Through the ages, prophets, apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ have endeavored to teach of Him — He Who is the Savior of the world, the Messiah, the Son of God.

In the pages of the Old Testament, we read of the prophet Isaiah who foretold His birth centuries before the Christ Child was born in Bethlehem of Judea: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

Isaiah seems to be quoted more often at this time of year than any other, and for good reason: This is the season when Christendom commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. The irony is that while celebrating Christmas many people put much of their focus on the trappings and wrappings of the season rather than upon the Savior. We ought to think of Him year round, and put Him in the forefront of our thoughts, especially during these "holy days" that have become "holidays."

During His mortal ministry, Jesus asked His disciples, "Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?" (Matthew 16:13). He asked the Pharisees, "What think ye of Christ?" (Matthew 22:42).

We, as Latter-day Saints, should have no trouble answering should those questions be asked of us.

"His birth was foretold by the prophets of old; His entry upon the stage of life was announced by an angel. His life and His ministry have transformed the world," wrote President Thomas S. Monson in a First Presidency Message in the August 2006 issue of the Ensign magazine.

"With the birth of the babe in Bethlehem, there emerged a great endowment, a power stronger than weapons, a wealth more lasting than the coins of Caesar. This child was to be the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Promised Messiah, even Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God. During His earthly ministry, He taught men the higher law. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world. He blessed the sick. He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life.

"One sentence from the book of Acts speaks volumes: Jesus 'went about doing good, … for God was with him' (Acts 10:38).

"He taught us to pray: 'Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven' (Matthew 6:9-10).

"In the garden known as Gethsemane, where His suffering was so great that blood came from His pores, He pleaded as He prayed, 'Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done' (Luke 22:42).

"He taught us to serve: 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me' (Matthew 25:40).

"He taught us to forgive: 'I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men' (Doctrine and Covenants 64:10).

"He taught us to love: 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.'

"'This is the first and great commandment.

"'And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself' (Matthew 22:37-39). …

"He invited, 'Come, follow me'" (Luke 18:22).

Further, President Monson wrote of the Savior's atoning sacrifice: "Our Mediator, our Redeemer, our Brother, our Advocate with the Father died for our sins and the sins of all mankind. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the foreordained but voluntary act of the Only Begotten Son of God. He offered His life as a redeeming ransom for us all."

As we proceed into the Christmas season — and in the seasons to come — let us have ready answers to the question, "What think ye of Christ?" Let us not only profess that He is the Son of God who came to earth to dwell among mankind; let us also follow His teachings and recognize the divine and eternal purpose of His life.