The March 30-April 12, 2020 Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families suggests watching the video series Special Witnesses of Christ discussing “what they teach us about what the Savior has done for us.” As you view the videos by President M. Russell Ballard and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, notice the historic locations and imagery included in the videos and ponder how they affected your thoughts and memories. Listen for inspiring words and phrases about the gospel of Jesus Christ and consider ways to relate their words to yourself and your family. Ask questions, listen to the Spirit, and record your impressions in a personal journal. Discuss your insights with family, friends, and neighbors. You may want to try some of the “activities to consider” related to the testimonies of both Apostles.
President Ballard: The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Jesus charged His Apostles, “Go ye into all the world,” and they did everything that they could to “preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
They knew, however, that the future would bring “a falling away” from the teachings of the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:3) as well as a “restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21). In the modern world, Christ’s priesthood and Church have been restored: “built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).
Carefully review some of President Ballard’s testimony about the Restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
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“I testify that the Restoration of the gospel was accomplished, beginning with the appearance of Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the spring of 1820.”
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“Today, our labors are greatly enhanced by jet airplanes and remarkable technology that stretch the reach of our ministry to the furthest parts of the world.”
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“I testify to you that it is the will of our Father in Heaven, through His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, that this mighty work moves forward.”
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“His great work will continue to roll forth until it fills the whole earth.”
Activities to Consider:
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Write a letter or send an email, text, or Instagram message to a family or ward member currently serving as a missionary. Offer words of encouragement and thanks for the service they are providing the peoples of the world and the Lord.
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Invite missionaries living in your branch or ward to come to your home for a meal and the opportunity to share a spiritual thought.
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Schedule a time when missionaries can come to your home and teach one of the missionary lessons. For example, Lesson 1 in Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service focuses focusses on “The Message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”. If possible, invite others to come to your home and listen to the missionaries teach.
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Attend a family or missionary baptism and offer encouragement, support, and friendship to those individuals being baptized.
Elder Holland: Awe for Christ’s Atonement
Elder Holland bears his testimony while walking the grounds of the Garden Gethsemane. It is here where Jesus cried, “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt” (Mark 14:36). Elder Holland shares his wonder and adoration for Christ’s great atoning sacrifice.
Thoughtfully review a few of Elder Holland’s statements about Christ’s Atonement:
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“It was here in the Garden of Gethsemane, on that last night in mortality, that Jesus left His Apostles and descended alone into the depth of agony that would be His atoning sacrifice for the sins of all mankind.”
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“To the thoughtful follower of Christ, it is a matter of surpassing wonder that the voluntary and merciful sacrifice of a single being could satisfy the infinite and eternal demands of justice; atone for every human misdeed; bear every mortal infirmity; feel every personal heartache, sorrow, and loss.”
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“I bear solemn witness that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the compassionate foundation and central fact in God’s eternal plan for our salvation and our happiness.”
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“Is it any wonder that Christ, the greatest of all, partook of the bitter cup and did not shrink here, that we might not suffer if we would repent and come unto Him?”
Activities to Consider:
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For a family home evening, review and discuss “Photographs of the Holy Land,” New Testament Stories [2005], 180-183.
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Review a definition of the “Atonement of Jesus Christ” given in the Church manual Introduction to Gospel Topics.
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Read, study, and ponder the April 2017 conference address of President Russell M. Nelson: “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Ensign, May 2017).
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For a family home evening activity, review photo images or artwork portraying Christ’s Atonement (see: “Final Events—Bible Images”). You may want to draw your own images portraying key aspects of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice.