Brothers and sisters, fellow students, it's so nice to be with you in this devotional worship. I call you fellow students because we are all disciples, and the key to discipleship is learning and studying. I salute you for taking the bold step to improve yourselves, to increase your capacity, and to make yourselves more fit for the kingdom by acquiring knowledge.
Before I begin my devotional address this morning, I'd love to invite my wife to come share her testimony. This, you will realize, is the best way to start and the best way to keep me on my toes. She will definitely help me stay alert as she shares her testimony with you.
Sister Egbo Remarks
Beloved brothers and sisters, I'm so happy to be here, to have the privilege of being in this devotional with all of you. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior, and He loves me, and I know how important my soul is, and yours.
Heavenly Father knew this all the way when he talked to Moses the prophet. In Moses 1, we mostly talk about verse 39, but in verse 41, He helps us to understand that in the latter day, there will be the Book of Mormon and that He will raise up the Prophet Joseph Smith. He knew that many “plain and precious” [1] truths would be taken away from the Bible, and, because of the worth of our souls, He said that He wouldn't want us to be lost. There is a book where truth will be found in its fullest, and that is the Book of Mormon. He said that, in this day, He would bring forth the Book of Mormon so that we would not falter
That's why Nephi was so excited and said, “We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophecy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” [2] That applies to us, and that is why today I rejoice. We have this in front of us, and we know where we can look for happiness and peace in this life, and even greater happiness in the world to come.
I’m so happy to be here. I know that this is the Lord's Church. I know that we have a living prophet, even President Nelson. I'm also grateful to President Meredith and his wife, who preside over this campus. I know that as we listen to Elder Egbo as he gives his talk today, we'll be enriched and our happiness will even become better because we know that the Savior lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
In Matthew 16, we read from verses 13–19 of an experience that Jesus had with His disciples and His apostles. I want you to capture or picture in your mind’s eye the Savior in this region of Cesaria Philippi, seated onshore by the coastline.
He and His disciples probably had had a rough sea experience, or perhaps they had walked in from the hinterland just to stay by the coast so they would be isolated and have a quiet quality spiritual time with each other. And as they sat, probably having some snacks or what we'll call snacks today, Jesus, in His typical way of teaching, posed a question to these 12 men.
This soul-searching question that was asked by the Master simply and succinctly went this way: “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”
I'm sure his disciples must have said, "There you go again, Master." But then they began to respond. Some said, " Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.”
Then Jesus, turning to them again, said, "But whom say ye that I am?"
Then, Peter—that disciple that loved the Lord and was willing to do everything for Him; the one who cut off the ears of the guards; the one who was first to jump into the water in John 21 and run to Jesus Christ when he realized that it was the Master standing on the shore—said, or replied, or responded to the Master, "Thou art the Christ the son of the living God."
To this response Jesus answered unto him, “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”
Jesus proceeded to pronounce special blessings on Peter. He said, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” [3]
The testimony of Peter had provided the excellent teaching that Jesus wanted His disciples to acquire.
In “The Living Christ: A Proclamation by the Apostles,” the second paragraph begins with this profound statement concerning Jesus Christ:
“He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. ‘All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made’ (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He ‘went about doing good’ (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.” [4]
This testimony of the living Apostles stands tall like that of Peter. In considering the foregoing testimony of the Apostles, we can understand the following about Jesus Christ: First, His mission, and second, His ministry.
President Russell M. Nelson, in his teachings, emphasizes that Jesus Christ's mission was focused on the Atonement, which made resurrection a reality for all and eternal life possible for those who repent and keep covenants. His ministry, on the other hand, encompasses His teachings, example, and acts of service, which provide a pattern for all to follow. [5]
The importance of Jesus Christ’s Atonement and His teachings are central to the eternal destiny of all men and women, all of God’s children, hence the Holy Ghost inspired many prophets to teach about Jesus Christ and the work He would do for the salvation of God’s children hundreds of years before His birth.
Consider the prophecies of Isaiah concerning the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ in Isaiah 53:
Isaiah said, “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
“Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.” [6]
From Isaiah’s prophecy, we learn the following:
First, His Atonement:
- The Atonement was the work of Jesus Christ's central mission, enabled by His divinity as the only begotten Son of God.
- He willingly took upon Himself the sins and suffering of every son and daughter of God, overcame death, giving a way for all God’s children to return to Him on conditions of repentance and covenant making and keeping.
- This mission was essential for fulfilling God's work and glory of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of all God’s children.
Next, His ministry, examples, and sacrifice
- Christ lived a mortal life of example; His focus was to invite all men to believe in His Father and receive exaltation. His ministry consisted of living by fixed principles referred to as Christlike attributes. Through these principles, He showed all men the example of how to live a righteous life, showing how to love, be compassionate, be obedient, and serve.
- As part of his ministry, Christ’s teachings included acts of service, healing, and performing miracles—examples for His followers.
- He taught His followers the importance of prayer, forgiveness, enduring to the end, and caring for others.
- His ministry was not limited to a select few but was intended as an example for all to follow.
Now, the key aspects of Christ's mission and ministry include:
- His Atonement: Christ's suffering and sacrifice to redeem humanity from sin and death.
- His Resurrection: Christ's triumph over physical death, offering immortality to all.
- His Eternal Life: The possibility of living with God eternally, contingent on faith and obedience.
- His Example: Christ's life and teachings as a model for how to live a righteous and fulfilling life.
- His Service: Christ's selfless acts of love and compassion, demonstrating the importance of serving others.
Understanding the majesty of Jesus Christ and His Atonement and His ministry, John the Baptist, looking upon Jesus as He walked past, said unto two of his disciples, “Behold the lamb of God!” [7]
Those two disciples (Andrew and John) were impressed by the Baptist’s testimony of Jesus Christ. So impressed they were, that they at once followed Jesus, and He (Jesus), turning toward them, asked, “What seek ye?” [8]
My beloved brothers and sisters, how would each of us respond to Jesus’ question, “What seek ye?”
For Andrew and John, their reply was by another inquiry, “Rabbi, … where dwellest thou?” To which Jesus gave a welcoming response, “Come and see.” [9] Jesus asks the same question and gives the same response to you and me today.
Ether, that faithful Jaredite prophet in the Book of Mormon, provides added clarity to the question and invitation given by Jesus Christ to Andrew and John in this way: “And now, I would commend you to 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 you forever. Amen.” [10]
The invitation to “come and see” by seeking Jesus through the testimony of prophets and apostles involves studying His words and the words of His chosen witnesses to understand His nature and teachings.
This invitation is a call to action, urging you and me to be valiant in the pursuit of the knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ. It also means being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a way of life—a practical religion.
The benefits of this pursuit are joy and happiness, salvation, and a personal relationship with God and Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost will play a vital role in aiding you in this effort.
President Russell M. Nelson, in a recent conference talk, shared the following: “My dear brothers and sisters, in a coming day, Jesus Christ will return to the earth as the millennial Messiah. So today I call upon you to rededicate your lives to Jesus Christ. I call upon you to help gather scattered Israel and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord. I call upon you to talk of Christ, testify of Christ, have faith in Christ, and rejoice in Christ! Come unto Christ and ‘offer your whole [soul]’ to Him. This is the secret to a life of joy.” [11]
Jesus’ invitation to “come and see” by seeking Jesus Christ as the prophets and apostles have written is a lifelong journey of learning, faith, and obedience that leads to a deeper understanding of and relationship with Him.
I testify that Jesus Christ is the living Son of our living Father in Heaven. He invites each of us to learn of Him and cast upon Him our burden. I testify that He is mighty to save. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] 1 Nephi 13:28.
[2] 2 Nephi 25:26.
[3] Matthew 16:13–19.
[4] “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles,” Gospel Library.
[5] Russell M. Nelson, “Gratitude for the Mission and Ministry of Jesus Christ,” BYU Speeches, August 18, 1998.
[6] Isaiah 53:1–12.
[7] John 1:35–37.
[8] John 1:38.
[9] John 1:38–39.
[10] Ether 12:41.
[11] Russell M. Nelson, “The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again,” Liahona, Nov. 2024.
About Elder I. Raymond Egbo
Elder I. Raymond Egbo was sustained as a General Authority Seventy at the April 2024 general conference. At the time of his call, he had been serving as a member of the Third Quorum of the Seventy in the Africa West Area.
Elder Egbo has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Nigeria Lagos Mission, counselor in a stake presidency, high councilor, and president of the Nigeria Calabar Mission from 2009 to 2012.
Elder Egbo received an associate degree in education from Cross River College of Education in 1998, a bachelor of arts degree in geography and regional planning from the University of Calabar in 2002, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Cumbria in 2022. He began working for the Church in 2002 as an institute director. Since then, he has worked in various positions for Seminaries and Institutes of Religion, including coordinator, country director, and area director.
Idyo Raymond Egbo was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, on June 25, 1974. He married Comfort Ikip Ese in 2003. They are the parents of three children.