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In a day when many scholars have reduced Christ to a historical or purely figurative being, this seven-part documentary series stands to affirm His divinity by reconciling the historical Christ with the Christ of religious tradition. Filmed in part on location in the Holy Land and in conjunction with the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, Messiah: Behold the Lamb of God is the first documentary that covers all phases of the Savior's life - spanning His premortal existence to the resurrection and restoration of the gospel - all told from a Latter-day Saint perspective. http://byutv.org/messiah/

Words of Jesus: On the Cross     By Elder Alain A. PetionArea Authority SeventyAlain A. Petion, "Words of Jesus: On the Cross", Ensign, June 2003, 32  As we ponder the lessons contained in Jesus’ final words, we exclaim with the centurion, “Truly this man is the Son of God” (see Mark 15:39).    While driving alone for long distances, I enjoy listening to Handel’s Messiah and other sacred music that uses the scriptures as the text. This music has always brought deep emotions for the Savior to my heart.Many years ago, a friend presented me with a recording of Franz Joseph Haydn’s oratorio...

Give Thanks in All Things     Elder Dallin H. OaksOf the Quorum of the Twelve ApostlesDallin H. Oaks, "Give Thanks in All Things", Ensign, May 2003, 95–98  When we give thanks in all things, we see hardships and adversities in the context of the purpose of life.   In one of the times of spiritual and temporal adversity recorded in the Book of Mormon, when the people of God were “suffering all manner of afflictions,” the Lord commanded them to “give thanks in all things” (Mosiah 26:38–39). I wish to apply that teaching to our time. I. The children of God have always...

Follow the Instructions     Elder D. Rex GerrattOf the SeventyD. Rex Gerratt, "Follow the Instructions", Ensign, May 2003, 90–91   As you open your mind and heart to feel the Spirit, the Lord in His own time and in His own way will give you the instructions which will bless your life.   Some years ago while I was serving as a ward clerk, the ward supplies for the new year arrived on my doorstep. Among the numerous boxes, one box addressed to the ward clerk caught my attention. Taped to the box was a tag with bold type: “If all else fails—Please! Follow...

The Unspeakable Gift     Elder Joseph B. WirthlinOf the Quorum of the Twelve ApostlesJoseph B. Wirthlin, "The Unspeakable Gift", Ensign, May 2003, 26–29  If [we] would open [our] hearts to the refining influence of this unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, a glorious new spiritual dimension would come to light.  It is a privilege to be with you today. I love hearing the word of the Lord spoken by our leaders as they are guided by the divine gift of the Holy Ghost. Today I would like to say a few words regarding this wonderful gift.Have you ever thought about the amount...

Overcoming the Stench of Sin     Elder Spencer V. JonesOf the SeventySpencer V. Jones, "Overcoming the Stench of Sin", Ensign, May 2003, 88–89  Our loving Heavenly Father, … knowing that you and I would all sin and become unclean, provided a cleansing process from sin that … actually does work.   Every decision we make, good or bad, carries an accompanying consequence.I grew up in what some of you might call a boring farming community: Virden, New Mexico, population 135. One summer night when I was a boy, my cousins, some friends, and I were looking for ways to create some excitement. Someone...

Holy Place, Sacred Space    Elder Dennis B. NeuenschwanderOf the Presidency of the SeventyDennis B. Neuenschwander, "Holy Place, Sacred Space", Ensign, May 2003, 71–72  Our ability to seek, recognize, and reverence the holy above the profane, and the sacred above the secular, defines our spirituality.   In answer to Pilate’s question “Art thou the King of the Jews?” the Savior answered, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:33, 36). With these few words, Jesus declares His kingdom independent and distinct from this world. The Savior’s teachings, doctrine, and personal example lift all who truly believe in Him to a divine standard...

War and Peace     President Gordon B. HinckleyGordon B. Hinckley, "War and Peace", Ensign, May 2003, 78–81  I hope that the Lord’s people may be at peace one with another during times of trouble, regardless of what loyalties they may have to different governments or parties.   My brethren and sisters, last Sunday as I sat in my study thinking of what I might say on this occasion, I received a phone call telling me that Staff Sergeant James W. Cawley of the U.S. Marines had been killed somewhere in Iraq. He was 41 years of age, leaving behind a wife and two...

Seek, and Ye Shall Find     Elder Craig C. ChristensenOf the SeventyCraig C. Christensen, "Seek, and Ye Shall Find", Ensign, May 2003, 33–34   As we engage our faith and commit our energy to draw closer to Jesus Christ, we begin to understand more fully who He really is.   My dear brothers and sisters, I pray that I may be guided by the Spirit of the Lord as I share with you my personal feelings and testimony.One of the most compelling invitations and profound promises given by the Savior is found in the simple phrase “seek, and ye shall find.” 1 Although the...

Blessed by Living Water     Kathleen H. HughesFirst Counselor in the Relief Society General PresidencyKathleen H. Hughes, "Blessed by Living Water", Ensign, May 2003, 13–15  Living water heals. It nourishes and sustains. It brings peace and joy.  Early in Christ’s ministry, He traveled from Jerusalem to His boyhood home of Nazareth, in Galilee. He passed through Samaria and, weary from His journey, stopped to rest at Jacob’s ancient well. As Jesus waited and His disciples sought food in a nearby town, a Samaritan woman approached the well. You know the story. When Jesus asked for a drink, she was surprised that a...

Sweet Power of Prayer      Elder Russell M. NelsonOf the Quorum of the Twelve ApostlesRussell M. Nelson, "Sweet Power of Prayer", Ensign, May 2003, 7–9  We should pray in accord with the will of our Heavenly Father. He wants to test us, to strengthen us, and to help us achieve our full potential.   In this day of computers, phones, and pagers, people communicate with one another better than ever before. Even so, good communication is often lacking. Recently while visiting a nursing care facility, I spoke with a woman about her family. She told me that she had three sons, two of...

Parables of Jesus: The Great Supper      By Elder F. Melvin HammondOf the SeventyF. Melvin Hammond, "Parables of Jesus: The Great Supper", Ensign, Apr. 2003, 51  Four modern applications teach us how to be better guests and servants at the Lord’s feast.   While I served as a mission president in Bolivia years ago, Sister Hammond and I gathered all of the new native-born Bolivian missionaries to our home for dinner. From the scattered villages of their native land they came, humble and dedicated.Following a brief meeting, each was ushered into the dining room, where a feast awaited. The table had been carefully...

Words of Jesus: Death and Resurrection     By Elder Walter F. GonzálezOf the SeventyWalter F. González, "Words of Jesus: Death and Resurrection", Ensign, Apr. 2003, 22   “I am the resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25).  About 2,000 years ago in a small village outside Jerusalem, two sisters saw their brother become ill and die. Mary and Martha dearly loved their brother Lazarus, so their anguish was great. Their friends and neighbors tried to comfort them but failed. Their sorrow was so great that upon seeing them Jesus was filled with compassion and wept (see John 11:30–35). We can perhaps imagine how Martha...

Words of Jesus: Humility     By Elder Athos M. AmorimOf the SeventyAthos M. Amorim, "Words of Jesus: Humility", Ensign, Mar. 2003, 48–51  “Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29).   Many times, the Savior used only a few words or a simple act to emphasize a wondrous eternal principle. For example, after feeding the 5,000, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost” (John 6:12), teaching them and us to avoid wastefulness. And when the Apostles returned from their missions, Jesus took them by ship and “departed … into a...

 Salvation: By Grace or by Works?     By Gerald N. LundGerald N. Lund, "Salvation: By Grace or by Works?", Ensign, Apr. 1981, 17   When the Apostle Paul was imprisoned at Philippi, he was asked by a distressed jailer, “What must I do to be saved?”Without reference to obedience or repentance or good works that he himself so often spoke of, Paul simply answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:30–31.)But in a church that also has many ancient and modern scriptural passages stressing works of righteousness and the importance of obedience to the laws and...

Parables of Jesus: The Parable of the Empty House     By Elder Victor D. CaveArea Authority SeventyVictor D. Cave, "Parables of Jesus: The Parable of the Empty House", Ensign, Mar. 2003, 45–47  True repentance is not merely eliminating the negative but replacing it with positive attitudes and actions.   As Jesus traveled through the cities and villages of Galilee performing miracles, a man who was possessed with a devil was brought to Him; the man was also blind and unable to speak. Jesus healed him, causing many to be amazed and wonder if He was the promised Messiah (see Matt. 12:22–23). When certain...

Words of Jesus: Riches      By Elder William R. BradfordOf the SeventyWilliam R. Bradford, "Words of Jesus: Riches", Ensign, Feb. 2003, 52  “For a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).   Generation after generation, mortal men have developed cultures and traditions for their time. A common practice that occurs in nearly all cultures is the ranking of people and placing them into social levels or castes. Invariably the highest positions in these social systems are given to those who have the greatest wealth.To understand what the Savior taught about riches as He walked...

Words of Jesus: Forgiveness     By Elder Cecil O. Samuelson Jr.Of the Presidency of the SeventyCecil O. Samuelson Jr., "Words of Jesus: Forgiveness", Ensign, Feb. 2003, 48  “Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).  It is the Savior’s desire that we each feel His peace. He said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). In these troubled times, a familiar hymn assures us: Sweet is the peace the gospel brings To seeking minds and true. With light refulgent on its wings It clears...

Divine Love     By Elder Russell M. NelsonOf the Quorum of the Twelve ApostlesRussell M. Nelson, "Divine Love", Ensign, Feb. 2003, 20  While divine love can be called perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal, it cannot correctly be characterized as unconditional.   In today’s world trembling with terror and hatred, our knowledge of divine love is of utmost importance. We bear responsibility to understand and testify that Heavenly Father and Jesus the Christ are glorified, living, and loving personages. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”...

Our Thorns in the Flesh    By Elder Ray H. WoodOf the SeventyRay H. Wood, "Our Thorns in the Flesh", Ensign, Feb. 2003, 31    Each time I read of the Apostle Paul’s “thorn in the flesh,” I learn something new. Paul’s testimony of the blessing and power of adversity in his life reminds us that if we endure it well in our own lives, “God shall exalt [us] on high” (D&C 121:8).Paul relates his lesson in four verses in 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 [2 Cor. 12:7–10]:“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given...