My Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ

Kevin & I were privileged to share our feelings about Christ today in our church congregation. I wanted to post here some of the words I shared today:

I know Christ lives. He’s my Savior, Brother, and Friend. As I’ve pondered about what to share on this beautiful Easter Sunday, I’ve felt strongly that I should focus on our personal, individual relationships with Christ. I’ve learned of his life, teachings, death, and resurrection and I’ve been moved by these accounts of Him in the scriptures. But I’ve also come to know him on an individual level, and my life experiences with Him have moved me even more.

I hope today I can convey how important it is to learn about Christ and then, in turn, learn from Christ as we open our hearts to Him and truly develop a personal relationship with Him. I pray for the Spirit to be here and that I can accurately convey the beautiful things Christ has taught me on a personal, individual level.

Elder Nelson gave a fabulous talk just two weeks ago titled “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives.” Elder Nelson explained that we can all have access to godly power to help us deal with our burdens, obstacles, and temptations. But he also mentioned that we begin by learning about Christ. Elder Nelson States:

“It is impossible for [us] to be saved in ignorance.” The more we know about the Savior’s ministry and mission—the more we understand His doctrine and what He did for us—the more we know that He can provide the power that we need for our lives.”

I think scripture study and general conference talks are a great way to start. Elder Nelson also recommends studying “The Living Christ.”
One of my earliest experiences learning about Jesus was when I was just a little girl. My mom purchased illustrated, children’s versions of the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants. These simple, kid-friendly books helped me learn and memorize the stories in the scriptures. I still have those simple little illustrations engrained in my mind--I have specific pictures of Jesus healing the blind, teaching people on the steps of the temple, raising Lazarus and Jairus’ daughter from the dead, and I can even remember the depiction of an angry Jesus casting out the animal sellers from the temple. I’m grateful that my mom took such care to help me learn the stories of Jesus from the time I was little. As the years progressed I started my own personal scripture study, and now--in addition to the stories--I am uplifted by the doctrine of Christ and the specific things he taught. We have to study Christ in order to really know Him.

In addition to learning about Christ, it is so, so important to learn from Him. I believe that learning about Christ primes us and enables us to be ready to learn FROM Him. I want to share something else Elder Nelson wisely taught. As I read, pay attention to what you’ve heard or understood about the atonement in the past, and perhaps the difference from that to how Elder Nelson defines it:

“It is doctrinally incomplete to speak of the Lord’s atoning sacrifice by shortcut phrases, such as “the Atonement” or “the enabling power of the Atonement” or “applying the Atonement” or “being strengthened by the Atonement.” These expressions present a real risk of misdirecting faith by treating the event as if it had living existence and capabilities independent of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Under the Father’s great eternal plan, it is the Savior who suffered. It is the Savior who broke the bands of death. It is the Savior who paid the price for our sins and transgressions and blots them out on condition of our repentance. It is the Savior who delivers us from physical and spiritual death.

There is no amorphous entity called “the Atonement” upon which we may call for succor, healing, forgiveness, or power. Jesus Christ is the source.”

Isn’t that amazing? Consider it again--what is the difference between what you have understood the atonement to be, as compared with how Elder Nelson describes it? Maybe you were on par and had a perfect understanding, but as for me, I have spent too much time in my life thinking “how can I have access to the atonement?” when really I should be asking, “How can I have a relationship with Christ so that he can help me?” Christ performed the atonement so that he can be our Savior. We look to HIM for help.

Alrighty, now I’d like to share some of the things that Christ has taught me personally. As members of the church, we have a vast knowledge of Christ’s teachings. But I think there’s another type of “knowing” that comes when these teachings directly coincide with our lives and testing our faith. That’s what I want to focus on for the remainder of my talk. These are just a few of the special things I’ve learned from my Savior.

#1: Christ has taught me that Service makes us one with Him.

Mosiah 2:17 states “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” About a year ago we had a R.S. service activity that Shay Ruesch in the ward headed up. As sisters we filled gallon sized ziploc bags with hygiene items, card games, pictures of Jesus, food, and more. We each kept 2 or 3 of those bags in the back of our cars to distribute to homeless people as we saw them on the sides of the street. First of all, it was a stellar activity. But second of all, it opened my eyes to the number of people that need help, even here in Provo. One person in particular caught my attention. The first homeless man I gave a kit to was sitting on a patch of grass by the local Smith’s grocery. I parked my car, walked over to him and handed him the kit. We shook hands and he introduced himself as Bruce. He said with the most sincere smile, “God Bless You!” A few weeks passed and I had given the other kits away, but I met Bruce again at the Center Street and University Stoplight. All I had to give him were two unopened water bottles. I said, “Hi Bruce!” which startled him that I remembered his name, but after taking the bottles he smiled that genuine smile again and said, with the same vigor, “God Bless You!” The light turned green and I had to drive away. On my way home, the spirit flooded my heart while tears flooded my eyes. I felt a sincere, warm feeling of appreciation from God. If I could put what I felt from him to words, it was something like this, “Thank you for keeping your baptismal covenants, and for treating Bruce like I would.” I felt so close to Jesus that day! Now I’m hooked. Feeling close to Christ is a great feeling! I try to always keep something in the back of my pickup, whether it be a pack of gum or a can of peaches. It’s not a big thing--it’s something uber simple and doable for me.

How long had I been passing by people on the streets that needed just a little help. That awesome church activity helped me open my eyes and feel the reality of  yet another scripture in Mosiah, chapter 4 vs. 19:  For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?

I know that we depend on Heavenly Father for every blessing we have, and he simply asks us to share what he’s already generously given. It’s a joy to do what he asks and to include our brothers and sisters in sharing those blessings.

#2. Jesus has taught me that he died and was resurrected so that the people I love are not truly gone, but will live again.

Death isn’t something easy for anybody, but some people seem to handle it better than others. I’ll be honest, death terrifies me. Faith and hope in the Plan of Salvation is something that I’ve had a really difficult time gaining. But Jesus loves me and he’s patient with me. In this regard, I’m a really slow learner, but I’m getting there.

Mortality hit me like a train when I was 16 years old. Within the short space of a year, three of my classmates and friends were killed in car accidents and hiking accidents. Additionally, my aunt Rose--who was like a grandmother to me--passed away of a stroke. Lindsey, Jared, Alexis and Rose were each happy, spunky, service-oriented people. Each death and each funeral was a difficult experience, but I specifically remember feeling particularly broken after attending Jared’s closed-casket viewing. Jared was the fourth of these  good people to pass on that year. Jared had been in my Sunday School class while I lived with my grandparents, had been in my science class, had a strong testimony and stood up for what was right. But he was barely 17 and he was already dead--I didn’t know how to cope with it. Why did he have to die? I sobbed uncontrollably in my room after his viewing and did my best to choke out a prayer. Amidst my tears I read the scripture his family had printed on a bookmark they passed out at the viewing. It’s from Mosiah again:

“But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death swallowed up in Christ”
A scripture from Alma followed it:

“And then… the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all care, and sorrow.”

A warm feeling washed over me and confirmed to my heart that these scriptures were true! Christ overcame death for Jared, and for Rosie, and for Alexis, and for Lindsay. Death and Resurrection had a whole new meaning for me. My heart filled with peace and gratitude.

While I still struggle to cope with death, and while I’ve attended more than my fair share of funerals, I know and feel of Christ’s love and resurrection for MY loved ones lost.

#3 Jesus has taught me that he has a perfect, enduring, pure love for every single person. Christ will fill my heart with His love if I just ask him to.

... One morning I felt impressed to read in Moroni Chapter 7, specifically to read about Charity. Moroni 7, vs. 47--48 reads… “But charity is the pure love of Christ… Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he that bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ …”

So, I did exactly as the scripture instructed. I got down on my knees and prayed with every sincere part of my soul to please, please be filled with Christ’s love for this person in my life who was causing me so much grief. Honestly, truthfully, The most amazing change came about in my heart! My whole perspective changed. My friend's attitude nor hostilities towards me changed. But I was changed by Christ, and that made all the difference. My feelings of resentment towards her were washed away and were filled instead with understanding and compassion. Christ knew her perfectly, and his love was sufficient, and I felt it! I began to realize that her hateful remarks were reflections on her own insecurities.

Our relationship was not perfect, but it improved drastically. Even more importantly, my relationship with Christ and my Heavenly Father improved drastically! I felt in a very real way the love Christ had towards me, too. My confidence came from my Savior’s opinion of me.

From this moment forward I have continued to feel the real power that comes from asking God in fervent prayer to fill us with Christ’s love. Whether praying for charity for my students, my friends, my family, etc. Christ always fills my heart with his love if I just ask Him.

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#4 Jesus has taught me that the Family is Ordained of God

Just briefly, I wanted to express my gratitude for the Marriage Covenant that I am blessed to have with my husband, Kevin. Kevin’s christlike love and service towards me has enabled me to better feel of God and Christ’s love. As the Family Proclamation states, “Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.” I know that to be true! Christ has established His gospel, and as Kevin and I follow its principles, I feel a heavenly happiness.

In closing, I know that Christ lives. I am grateful that he teaches me personally all the time, and that through studying his life and being open to the spirit, I am able to learn from Him and therein develop a relationship with Him. He is my Savior, Brother, and friend.