He was chosen by the Father and “verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world” to be the Redeemer of the world, (1Peter 1:20) at which time “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” (Job 38:7)Those who accepted the great plan of happiness which would send the spirits of men and women from that pre existent life (Jeremiah 1:5) into this sphere of existence to gain a body would require a Savior to atone for their sins and imperfections. (1 John 1:8)To the Father’s query, “Whom shall I send,” He who was to be known as Jesus, knowing what was to be required of Him, (Matthew 20:22) answered willingly, “Here am I send me…” (Abraham 3:27) “Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.” (Moses 4:2) Of His coming did the prophets of old, in both the Old and the New World testify. “ Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah: 7:14) And:
Matthew 1:18–23—Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled.
Isaiah 9:6—Isaiah prophesies that Jesus Christ will come as a baby; Jesus is described by several names.
Micah 5:2—Micah prophesies that Jesus will be born in Bethlehem.
Matthew 2:4–6—The scribes knew that Bethlehem was the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah.
1 Nephi 11:18–21—Nephi prophesies that the Son of God will be born to a virgin.
Luke 1:26–31—A virgin named Mary will be the mother of Jesus Christ.
Alma 7:9–10—Alma prophesies that Jesus will be born to Mary.
Luke 2:4–7—Jesus is born.
Helaman 14:1–6—Samuel the Lamanite prophesies of the signs at Jesus’ birth.
3 Nephi 1:4–21—On the night of Jesus’ birth, there was no darkness in America and a new star rose.
Matthew 2:2—A new star appeared in Israel.
Further, there may be literally thousands of prophecies concerning the coming birth of the Savior which are recorded in lost or yet to be revealed scripture. “And so it was… the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2: 6-11) Little is known of His childhood, nor is any mortal qualified to write speculatively concerning the life of a God. But this we do know, that beginning in His 30th year of life, He began His labors amongst men, and He went about doing good, healing the sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead. But that to which He was ordained, began in Gethsemane where He pleaded, saying, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22 :42-44) Of this experience and that which was yet to come, He spoke in this dispensation: “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink.” (Doctrine and Covenants 19: 16-18)
He was taken before evil men, and tried and found guilty of blasphemy for being who He was, even the great Jehovah. He was taunted, scourged and abused, and yet, no murmuring words escaped His lips, except when a fearful Pilate said unto Him, “Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?” Quietly and with majesty the Lord answered him, “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above.”(John 19: 10, 11) “I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” (John 10: 18, 18) He was crucified, and on the third day, He rose triumphantly from the grave. Of that, many were witnesses. I bear my witness that He has been seen in these latter days, and one such testimony is this one: “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. (Doctrine and Covenants 76: 22-24) I add my testimony, declaring I know that my Redeemer lives, and I know it of myself and not for another, and this through experiences most sacred. He lives! And because He lives, we too shall live beyond our mortal tenure upon this earth. I know it! In the hallowed name of Jesus Christ, amen. (Cristobal Lopez)