Witnesses

I have been reminded lately of the importance of witnesses, particularly witnesses of Christ.  I recently saw "Savior of the World" with my family.  It is wonderful!  Everyone needs to see it or read it or listen to the music or study the scriptures referenced (or all of the above)!  It is a sweet testimony of the Savior and His mission.  I've always loved the shepherds role in the story of Christ's life, but I was particularly touched at the end of Act 1 when the shepherds tenderly come to visit and witness the Savior's birth and then obediently, diligently, immediately and enthusiastically proclaim His birth to all they can find:  "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."

Then at the end of Act 2 Jesus teaches His disciples to feed His sheep.  It occurred to me while watching that the very best way we can feed His sheep is to testify of Him and bring others to Him - the Good Shepherd, the Great Redeemer.

I have also been reading a wonderful book by Elder Oaks, With Full Purpose of Heart.  My favorite part of this book happens to be the chapter about being a witness of Christ.  I appreciated Elder Oaks' very clear call to each of us to be a witness of Jesus Christ - to teach and testify of Him and live our lives according to His teachings.

"'The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it (Joseph Smith, p. 21).'"

"How do members become witnesses beyond the mere fact of their membership? The original apostles were eyewitnesses to the ministry and resurrection of the Savior (Acts 10:39-41). He told them, 'Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth' (Acts 1:8; Acts 10:42-43). However, He cautioned them that their witnessing would occur after they had received the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8; Luke 24:49). An eyewitness was not enough. Even the witness and testimony of the original apostles had to be rooted in the testimony of the Holy Ghost (p. 21)."

"The mission of the Holy Ghost is to witness of the Father and the Son (2 Nephi 31:18; 3 Nephi 28:11; D&C 20:27). Consequently, everyone who has received the witness of the Holy Ghost has a duty to share that testimony with others (p. 22)."

"Those that have the gift to know must give their witness so that those who have the gift to 'believe on their words' can enjoy the benefit of that gift (p. 23)."

"As I see the deterioration in religious faith that has happened in my own lifetime, I am convinced that we who are members of His Church need to be increasingly valiant in our testimony of Christ (p. 25)."

One final witness of Christ - the December 2015 Ensign includes a powerful article by President Boyd K. Packer - A Witness of the Savior Jesus Christ.  These are very tender insights from one of His chosen leaders.  And now each of us must "seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in [us] forever" (Ether 12:41) and then we must go share our witness with the world!!  :)