It is wonderful to be with you this afternoon on the BYU-Idaho campus. I am honored to be invited to speak to you. For seven years I served as a member of the Church Board of Education, which includes the Board of Trustees for all of the Church Educational System institutions, including BYU-Idaho. In all of our frequent meetings, which included the First Presidency and several members of the Quorum of the Twelve, the key concern was that you, the student, would secure a good education, and that you would be happy and achieve what you desire from this university.
I know that every selection of faculty will result in a person of faith who can guide and teach you, by example, both academically and spiritually. I was in attendance when your highly esteemed president, Kim B. Clark, was inaugurated as president of BYU-Idaho in 2005. I know that the Board of Trustees supports his leadership. I was on the Board when the discussions occurred that resulted in the construction of this BYU Idaho Center. It is an honor for me to finally be in this beautiful building.
In preparation for my remarks today, I have studied other presentations given at this university. Most speak of the traits and accomplishments you, the student, should acquire during your education and as you graduate. They encourage acquiring skills and training, scholarship in professional fields, wisdom, and understanding people, events, and worldly matters. They also speak of the spiritual qualities you should obtain as you attend this university, which is sponsored by living prophets. All of these subjects and themes are important and valuable to you, the student.
My dear students, what I suggest you obtain as a result of your education at BYU-Idaho is a strong, bold testimony of Jesus Christ. To this end I have entitled my talk "But Whom Say Ye That I Am" as recorded in the 16th chapter of Matthew in the New Testament.
As you recall from your studies of the scriptures, Christ asked the disciples this question: "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?"[1]
The disciples responded and said, "Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets."[2]
Jesus responded again with the question, "But whom say ye that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."[3]
I desire that you can boldly declare, with conviction, as did Peter, that Christ is the Son of the living God. I have three suggestions on how you may obtain this testimony.
First: know who Jesus Christ is. In 1 Nephi, chapter 11 of the Book of Mormon, Nephi sought and was given the privilege to see in vision what his father, Lehi, had previously seen of the tree of life. The fruit (which was very delicious) of the tree represented the fulness of the gospel. The tree, although surrounded by the wickedness of the world, as noted by a large and spacious building full of people, was accessible to those who followed a strait and narrow path and who held onto a rod of iron.
In the vision, Nephi beheld a virgin most beautiful and fair above all other virgins. He then saw the birth, life, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The angel, who explained the vision to Nephi, twice asked Nephi this question: "Knowest thou the condescension of God?"[4]
That, my dear fellow students, is the question I ask you. "Knowest thou the condescension of God?" For you to know who Jesus Christ is, you must know of His condescension.
The dictionary defines condescension as a "voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in relations with an inferior."[5] A well-known LDS scholar said it this way:
The condescension of God the Son thus consists in the fact that the Eternal One would 'descend from his throne divine,' be born in the most humble of circumstances, become among the most helpless of all creation--a human infant--and submit to the refining influences of mortal life.[6]
Abinadi, in the Book of Mormon, said that "God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people."[7]
It should help you to know, as you desire to know Jesus Christ, that He knows what you are experiencing on this earth. He knows your challenges and anxieties. He knows the temptations you face, and He knows how you can meet all of these challenges.
Try to envision that it was the Father's plan that Jesus Christ come to earth for a short period of time. In John we read: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son."[8] Just imagine that Christ, the Creator of the world and this earth, where we now live, came here to live.
A former General Authority has beautifully described Christ's condescension in these words:
He descended to be born of a mortal woman. He descended to be baptized of man, even though He was perfect and sinless. He descended to minister to the humblest of the humble. He descended to subject Himself to the will of the Father, suffering Himself to be tempted, mocked, scourged, cast out and disowned, even though he was all powerful. He descended to be judged of the world, even though He was the judge of the world. He descended to be lifted up on the cross and slain for the sins of the world, even though no man could take away His life.[9]
The third prophet in this dispensation, President John Taylor, speaking of Christ's condescension, said:
It was further necessary that He should descend below all things, in order that He might raise others above all things; for if He could not raise Himself and be exalted through those principles brought about by the atonement, He could not raise others; He could not do for others what He could not do for Himself, and hence it was necessary for Him to descend below all things that He might be raised above all things, that by and through the same power that He obtained His exaltation, they also, through His atonement, expiation and intercession, might be raised to the same power with Him.[10]
Please remember that Jesus Christ comprehends all that you are attempting to comprehend. He knows and understands you. He loves you and desires that you return to His presence. He wants you to know Him. He confirmed all of this in a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith: "He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth."[11]
May your understanding of the condescension of Jesus Christ help you to know who He is and increase your knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ.
Second: Jesus Christ was known to many prophets who lived on the earth before the Savior was born in the meridian of time. Today, you are attempting to obtain a testimony of Jesus Christ by reading and studying His life and teachings. Imagine obtaining a testimony before He was born.
The key sources where prophets have borne testimony of Jesus Christ before He was born are the Book of Mormon and the Old Testament. These writings and testimonies are referred to as Messianic prophecies.
The Book of Mormon abounds with Messianic prophecies. All of the prophets who lived before Jesus Christ was born knew of His coming birth, life, death, and Resurrection.
For example, Jacob, 600 years before the birth of Christ, saw the Redeemer as he exclaimed:
My soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish. For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time.[12]
Nephi testified: "We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy 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."[13]
You are familiar with these scriptures through your studies in seminary, institute, and here on campus. However, there is another group of prophets who lived before Jesus Christ came to earth and who testified with remarkable clarity of His birth, life, death, and Resurrection. These prophets are found in the Old Testament, and you are probably less familiar with their testimony than the prophets in the Book of Mormon.
One of these prophets was Isaiah, who lived approximately 800 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. He saw, testified, and recorded as scripture with amazing clarity of the life of Jesus Christ. His account is so accurate; it is as if he were alive when the Savior was on the earth. I would like to read several verses of Isaiah, chapter 53. Listen carefully. Perhaps you might even briefly close your eyes (but don't fall asleep) to listen and meditate on the words of Isaiah. Let the Spirit teach you about Jesus Christ as recorded by Isaiah 800 years before Christ was born.
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.
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.[14]
Think and ponder how these verses might affect you and help you to obtain a testimony of Jesus Christ. For example, you more completely understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ when you ponder Isaiah's statements:
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.
You may ponder the Crucifixion of Christ as you read: "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."
The reality of his condescension is clearer as you read: "He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken."
His death on the cross between two thieves and His burial in the sepulcher of Joseph of Arimathæa, a rich man, is foretold in the verse: "He made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death."
Each time I read these beautiful Messianic verses, I know that Jesus is the Christ. There is no other explanation. I feel the spirit of the words of Isaiah, and I prayed before I came here today that you would feel the same spirit.
Third: As you prepare yourself to boldly answer the question, "But whom say ye that I am?" you must look at yourself. How badly do you desire to have a strong and convincing testimony that Jesus is the Christ? Are you willing to pay the price in personal habits and daily experiences to earn the right to have such a testimony?
President Thomas S. Monson, our beloved prophet, challenges you to obtain a testimony in the following statement:
In order for us to be examples of the believers, we ourselves must believe. Our testimonies are no doubt of varying degrees. It is up to each of us to develop the faith necessary to survive spiritually and to project a light for others to see. Amidst the confusion of our age, the conflicts of conscience and the turmoil of daily living, an abiding faith becomes an anchor to our lives. Among the most effective ways to gain and keep the faith we need would be to read and study the scriptures and to pray frequently and consistently.[15]
Brothers and sisters, have you read the Book of Mormon? Have you put to the test the promise found in Moroni chapter 10, verse 4, asking your Heavenly Father with a sincere heart, with real intent and having faith in Christ whether or not that which is found in that book is truth?
To gain a testimony, he suggests that you develop and increase your faith, read and study the scriptures, pray frequently and consistently, and read the Book of Mormon and put to the test the promise of Moroni.
Are you doing these things? I know that as a student you are very busy with your studies, homework, and examinations. We want you to excel academically. Some of you have part-time employment to provide for your education. Others of you are married with family responsibilities. I know that you are busy. But do not be so busy in these matters that you neglect to obtain, nourish, and strengthen your testimony.
Faithful church attendance and service is essential. Attend your block meetings. Partake of the sacrament each week. Serve in a church calling when called. With the nearness of the new and beautiful Rexburg Idaho Temple, participate in temple ordinances regularly and consistently.
As you study spiritual matters, especially the scriptures, and participate in temple ordinances, learn how to "ponder" and "meditate" upon that which you are studying and participating.
In section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants, we read where Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were studying and translating parts of the book of John in the New Testament. As they were doing this very intense study, the 76th section describes the process with the following phrases:
We, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, being in the Spirit on the sixteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two--
By the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened and our understandings were enlightened, so as to see and understand the things of God--
And while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, and the glory of the Lord shone round about.
And we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of his fullness.[16]
You see the pattern Joseph and Sidney followed; they were in the spirit and their eyes were open to understand the things of God. They meditated over the truths of the gospel. Another word like "meditate" is to "ponder" and think seriously about the things you are studying.
Through this process, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon received one of the most beautiful testimonies of Jesus Christ ever recorded in scripture. We further read in section 76:
And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father --
That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.[17]
Now, I am not suggesting that you will have an experience similar to that had by Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon. As President Monson earlier said, "Our testimonies are no doubt of varying degrees."
In conclusion, I have challenged you to obtain a strong and enduring testimony of Jesus Christ while you are a student at this university. I have offered three suggestions to help you.
First, know that through the condescension of Jesus Christ, He came to this earth as an infant and fulfilled the mission of the Father. He knows all that you experience. He loves you.
Second, He was known by the prophets in the Book of Mormon and in the Old Testament. They left what is known today as Messianic prophecies. Isaiah, in chapter 53, was one of the most accurate and descriptive of all the prophets in testifying of the coming of Jesus Christ.
Third, secure your own personal testimony by studying and pondering the scriptures, daily prayers, building faith by church attendance, moral living by keeping the commandments, and by temple worship. Knowing the Book of Mormon is true is one of your most powerful tools in obtaining a testimony of Jesus Christ.
Throughout my life I have followed these suggestions to obtain my own testimony of Jesus Christ. I know that He lives and that He is the only Begotten of the Father. I know that He fulfilled the will of the Father as He completed His mission here on this earth.
I bear record that He loves me as He loves you. I have felt His presence many times, especially while serving in the temple. I know Jesus Christ. I have received many promptings throughout my life and, in particular my service as a General Authority, that testify that He hears my prayers and that He provides answers as needed and deserved.
The Church is directed by Jesus Christ as He whispers revelation to His prophets. President Monson is truly the prophet of our day, as was Joseph Smith when the Church was restored.
I have sat in the councils of the Church and bear witness that Jesus Christ is directing the affairs of the Church through revelation to His prophets. I bear testimony that He will direct the affairs of your life and of your family through personal revelation as you properly seek such direction in your life.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] Matthew 16:13
[2] Matthew 16:14
[3] Matthew 16:15-16
[4] 1 Nephi 11:16, 26
[5] Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (Springfield, Massachusetts: Merriam-Webster, 1999), 240
[6] Robert Millet, First Nephi, The Doctrinal Foundation, BYU Religious Studies Center, 169
[7] Mosiah 15:1
[8] John 3:16
[9] Richard C. Edgley, presentation to the Quorums of the Seventy, 20 March 1997
[10] John Taylor, Mediation and Atonement, 1882, 144-45
[11] Doctrine and Covenants 88:6
[12] 2 Nephi 11:6-7
[13] 2 Nephi 25:26
[14] Isaiah 53:1-9, 12
[15] A Prophet's Voice, Messages from Thomas S. Monson, Deseret Book, 2012, 490
[16] Doctrine and Covenants 76: 11-12, 19-20
[17] Doctrine and Covenants 76: 22-24